SKANEATELES - Techniques Susie Birchenough uses for yoga impact her everyday movements, including her posture, breathing techniques and ability to remain calm no matter what is thrown at her.

“It's just unconscious,” the Skaneateles resident said.

The yoga teacher teaches students at all levels at St. James Episcopal Church and at Mirbeau Inn & Spa throughout the week. Her instruction is through her studio Positively Yoga.

While the internal art has changed her life, she wasn't a huge fan when she took her first class in college.

“It was too slow for me. I was very active, but there was something intelligent about it that kept drawing me back,” Birchenough said.

Now, after practicing it for 25 years, and teaching for 18, she has taught herself to slow down, and can appreciate that slow and deliberate movements.

On Oct. 28, Sue Cowin attended a class to follow Birchenough's poses and fluid movements. She's attended classes by Birchenough for a decade, first at her studio, and now at her classes in St. James church.

In a room with three large windows facing Skaneateles Lake, Birchenough takes her class through meditations in the beginning and end of each class. Then they follow through a series of movements and poses.

Sometimes, Birchenough goes through the room adjusting students' poses and encouraging them.

“There's no one like her, she's a free spirit,” Cowin said. She teaches her class in a warm and playful way, she added.

“Yoga comes so natural for her,” she said.

Cowin, of Skaneateles said she likes Birchenough's ability to teach to all people in the class.

That's what Birchenough wants.

“When I teach, my goal is to allow each person to experience yoga,” she said.

Cowin likes yoga because the practice helps her become peaceful and find her center, she said.

“People say yoga is about tying your body up in knots, but I say it's about untying the knots in your mind,” Birchenough said.

The practice helps her stay aware of her mind's connection to her body. The meditation portion of yoga helps her remember to focus on the positive things in life, and take breaths to chase away stress.

Birchenough ends each class with a phrase that means “Let my light honor your light.”

And the physical aspect keeps her in tune with her body.

Birchenough's defined biceps are a result of yoga. Her only other form of exercise is running with her dogs, she added with a smile.

Despite her years training in yoga, she still aims to learn other techniques, both in style and teaching. She continues to attend workshops to broaden her scope.

Because of her interest in learning about all kinds of yoga, she doesn't stick to one style but works heavily in the style of Iyengar.

“People ask me what type of yoga I do. That's a difficult question for me to answer,” she said. “I have a fusion of what makes sense to me.”