KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – When the Sutter Lakeside Wellness Center closed its doors in November, it left many displaced members wondering where they would continue their fitness classes and exercise programs.

Mary Oom, a yoga teacher at the center for more than 10 years, stepped up to the plate, located a fixer-upper in Kelseyville and transformed that building into an attractive healing and fitness center to provide Lake County residents with a fun place to keep healthy.

“Transformations,” located in the Pioneer Plaza courtyard at 3970 Main St., offers yoga for everyone from age 3 to 93.

The center is currently offering 10 yoga classes per week as well as Tai Chi, hypnotherapy and massage.

Oom's classes are very affordable, keeping in line with the fees charged at Sutter Lakeside.

“We also have 18 exercise machines which include circuit workout equipment,” she said.

Although classes are currently being held every day, Transformations will hold its grand opening on Saturday, Jan. 25, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The community is invited to come see what it's all about and visit the center.

Yoga is a personal “experience” coordinating the body and mind. Benefits include stress reduction, weight loss, flexibility, strength (muscle), relaxation and overall good health.

At the end of each session Oom rewards her students with guided visualization, a favorite for everyone. “Many of my students say they sleep better at night after a yoga class,” she said.

Oom has been practicing yoga for 34 years and has been a popular hatha yoga instructor in Lake County for 25 years.

She held classes at the spa at Konocti Harbor Inn for 10 years prior to her time at Sutter Lakeside. She is known for her fun, gentle, uplifting approach to learning yoga. Students of all ages and levels enjoy her classes.

Oom also is a certified clinical hypnotherapist who offers help for clients who need to reduce stress, quit unhealthy habits and find more joy in life.

Her hypnotherapy sessions include counseling in practical ways to change thoughts, emotions and physical stress resulting in positive life changes.

“I have helped hundreds of people in Lake County improve their physical, mental and emotional health with hypnotherapy,” she said.

The Tai Chi and Chi Gong classes at Transformations, led by Arch Kottler, teach students to relax, meditate, stretch, strengthen, breathe, re-energize and heal while learning an effective self-defense martial art.

Oom teaches gentle yoga classes on Mondays at 10 a.m., 4:15 p.m. and 5:45 p.m.; on Wednesdays at 4:15 p.m. and 5:45 p.m.; at 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Thursdays; and at 1 p.m. Fridays.

Kids yoga begins Feb. 1 and will be held at 10:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. on Saturdays.

Yoga flow with Penny Dahl takes place at 6 p.m. Tuesdays, and Arch Kottler teaches Tai Chi on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Thursdays.

For more information on the Transformations classes and workout equipment, call Mary Oom at 707-245-5936 or meet her in person at the grand opening on Jan. 25.