Yoga: Relief for Multiple Sclerosis

Interview with Travis Ehrhardt

By: Erica Mestyanek, Editor of Dallas Yoga Magazine & Co-Founder of Cosmic Yogi Movement

Nestled in Riverbend Business Park in Fort Worth, is a yoga studio and fitness center doing incredible things. Travis Ehrhardt’s passion for hearing and seeing the positive impact yoga could have on people, especially those with Multiple Sclerosis, led him to opening and running two facilities in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. You will find their approach of using fitness, education, support, community involvement and charity is truly one of a kind.

Erica: When did you realize you wanted to incorporate yoga into your Personal Training business and practice?

Travis: As a personal trainer, I always loved hearing the feedback from clients who practiced yoga. I was on a trip to California about 15 years ago and visited a gym that had special exercises for people with Multiple Sclerosis. After talking with 3 different women, I was blown away at how much they said the exercises helped them. Because multiple sclerosis affects every person differently, there has to be wellness options with as many modifications. Yoga is a perfect fit for so many people, especially adaptive yoga. Anyone with MS, back, hip, knee, ankle or balance problems can benefit from an adaptive yoga class. Because of the incredible feedback from clients practicing yoga, I knew I wanted to compliment my services with yoga. When I opened MINDSET, it was my dream that clients could choose from different wellness options, depending on what they needed on a daily basis for increased quality of life. Often times, mobility and transportation is difficult for people with MS, so, it seemed like a great ideas to combine yoga in the same physical space as the exercise. Since opening, I personally have become a yoga instructor and I infuse the balance, gait and muscle training with yoga principles and breathing.

Erica: When did MINDSET officially come to be?

Travis: MINDSET officially started in 2002 but it was a one-person, in-home, personal training service for people living with Multiple Sclerosis. After winning the praise of local neurologist and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, I worked for the NMSS, set up two assisted physical training exercise programs, a yoga program, and helped promote the already existing aquatics program as the Wellness Director of the Fort Worth Chapter of the National MS Society. After the NMSS downsized in 2013, we branched out into our current location in east Fort Worth. We have a special professionalization for people living with multiple sclerosis and we serve the community Business Park and local neighborhood with corrective fitness and wellness classes.

Erica: What do you think your studio offers that makes you stand out?

Travis: Movement is a powerful experience. Many things in life distract us from moving and we have to consciously put movement back into our lives. MINDSET is a place for everyone to train, heal and transform the body and mind. Our programs are designed to meet you where you are in terms of fitness and wellness as well as assist you to get where you want to be. We have a complete wellness and fitness studio offering yoga, tai chi, meditation, strength and circuit training, balance, agility and gait training and state-of-the-art equipment. Our environment is comfortable for all fitness levels and we offer a special professionalization for people living with MS and other neurological concerns. We combine the knowledge and passion with a neighborhood feel and specialize in adaptive exercise options. Working out at MINDSET is so motivating because we all need modifications. Being a member at MINDSET means, you have made decision to support your own wellness, support your community and under-served populations including people living with multiple sclerosis.

Erica: Do you have any upcoming trainings or special events?

Travis: We do! We have open house on January 6th and would love for everyone to come and check us out. We have our 200 hour MINDSET Yoga Teacher Certification Training coming up, various posture workshops in January and February, Trauma Informed Yoga Therapy Certification in March and Therapeutic Adaptive Yoga for Multiple Sclerosis which is a one of a kind training with Karen O’Donnell Clarke, C-IAYT for yoga teachers and health care professionals. You can stay updated on our events by following us on Facebook or visiting our website.

MINDSET Fitness & Yoga is located in the Riverbend Business Park at 2307 Gravel Dr., Fort Worth, TX 76118. They also have a satellite office, with limited services for people living with MS, in Carrollton, TX. You can follow them at www.facebook.com/mindsetfitnessandyoga/ or visit their website at mindsetfitnessandyoga.com/. To reach Travis directly, you can email him at [email protected].