MANSFIELD, Ohio – Two Madison graduates have made it their mission to spread positivity in Mansfield with a new body-positive workout.
Combining their two passions of yoga and dance, 18-year-old Shelby Elgart and 19-year-old Shelby Fife created “Zoga,” a phenomenon they refer to as a “self-love infused” workout.
“Typically in today’s society you work out because you think you’re fat or ugly, there’s so much negativity,” said Elgart. “We’re trying to change it a little bit, come because you want to embrace what you can do and who you are on a deeper level.”
The idea for Zoga was created between Fife and Elgart a little more than a month ago. The classes are offered from 10 to 11 a.m. every Saturday, hosted at Rising Stars Dance Studio at 100 E. Fifth St. in Mansfield.
So far, Fife and Elgart said they have taught seven classes with as many as 18 people in one class. They have seen participants as young as age six and as old as age 60.
“Yoga is more like the warm-up, and dance is where you really let loose and express yourself, soak in the positive energy,” said Elgart. “And cool down with yoga, getting ready for the day ahead and letting the intention of the day soak in even more.”
Fife noted, “We start off with a warm-up dance, the next dance is fun stuff and we work through faster and faster, the last dance is slowing down and stretching out getting ready for yoga.”
On Oct. 31, Zoga’s message of positivity and love will stretch even further with a benefit in honor of Heather Kasper Vogt, a 37-year-old mother of two with Stage 3 breast cancer. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the studio at Rising Stars will be open for Zoga classes, raffle baskets from local vendors and a small bake sale — all geared towards raising money for Vogt.
Elgart and Fife wanted to create an event to support and empower Vogt, similar to how she has supported and empowered others in her life.
“Heather has that energy where you don’t have to know her that well to feel good about yourself when you’re in her presence,” said Elgart. “She’s one of those people who has really strong energy and she uses it for positive reasons. We’re really excited to show her it’s OK to need help and support from other people, and it’s OK to receive love.”
Accepting love and positivity is an important concept to Elgart, who mentioned self love is something she has struggled with in the past. It’s what motivated her and Fife to start Zoga, something they never expected to do at such a young age.
“I’ve had a passion for a while now to create something that can help people heal,” said Elgart. “I’ve always wanted to create a place where people can recharge or whatever they need that day, feel the energy around them. I feel like there’s no age limit to say how you can serve people.”
As a former Miss Richland County, Fife said she has been able to incorporate her platform of building confidence into Zoga.
“I think that goes a long way still today,” said Fife. “If you have confidence you can do whatever you set your mind to.”
Zoga classes are $6 per class or $20 for four classes. For more information on Zoga, contact Shelby Fife at 419-512-8108 or email zogass@yahoo.com. Zoga is also active on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Both Elgart and Fife encouraged those interested to give Zoga a try. No prior experience in yoga or dance is needed.
“A lot of people who want to come but have that insecurity holding them back, do it anyway,” said Elgart. “Your entire life if you don’t just do it anyway, you’re always going to have that insecurity inside you until you push out of your comfort zone and just do it. This is the perfect place to learn how to just do it, and to break free.”
