As students trickle into the Monday evening Hatha class at YOGA 170 in Fairport, Heather Acomb greets each person individually, asking about their day and introducing herself to any newcomers. Before diving into movement, Acomb encourages the class to consider compassionate and mindful intentions inspired by a quote by Rumi, which she reads aloud: “Oh heart, what a rare bird you are, on your wings of fear and hope.”
Hatha (the Sanskrit word for “force”) yoga is a branch of the practice that uses physical techniques to channel and sustain vital force and energy. Whether she’s teaching Hatha at YOGA 170 or a modern dance course at SUNY Brockport, Acomb emphasizes the connection between breath and body. When she moves, her breath flows through the tips of her fingers, her groundedness matching the soothing texture of her voice. Acomb’s natural ability to read the body, breath and mind has led her to successful careers in modern dance, yoga, and most recently, postpartum doula practice.
Dance instructor and lecturer Allison Bohman has encountered all aspects of Acomb’s teachings but first met her in the dance department at SUNY Geneseo in 2010. Acomb had just finished her MFA at SUNY Brockport and was a resource and mentor for Geneseo students who, like Bohman, were considering continued education in dance.
“My perspective on how you could use dance as a career shifted when I met Heather,” said Bohman. “She provided an inroad for me to a career in dance education, which included Bill Evans technique and laban somatic practice.”
Laban somatic practices combine anatomy, kinesiology and psychology to interpret and communicate movement. Acomb is certified in the Evans Method — developed by internationally renowned dancer, choreographer and former Brockport instructor Bill Evans — which emphasizes rhythm, community and specificity of movement. The practice also embraces change, something Acomb has done many times throughout her career. When she gave birth to her daughter in 2022, her career focus shifted.
“I realized the postpartum period is really hard. It’s a sacred time that doesn’t get honored in our culture the way many other cultures do,” Acomb said. The realization led her to pursue certification as a postpartum doula. In this role, she provides newborn care, healthy food preparation, household support and emotional support and guidance for families.
Molly Deutschbein, a local doula who has practiced for more than 30 years in Rochester, said Acomb’s ability to create a calm, supportive space for families makes her an admirable postpartum doula.
“Heather embodies what it’s like to approach people from a place of love and care,” she said. “She has such a supportive, calming presence, and she has so much wisdom about how to care for your changing body.”
Acomb encourages clients to take the time to rest and bond with their baby, rather than rushing to return to the fast pace of life. She also offers support throughout pregnancy with prenatal yoga, which prioritizes the mother’s body. Rather than instructing specific poses and stretches like other forms of yoga, the prenatal practice emphasizes functional movement for labor, birth and postpartum recovery. Acomb also acknowledges the significance of creating and sustaining life during her practice, allowing space and time to reflect and talk with her clients about the process.
The importance of being present in the body is part of Acomb’s practices, often incorporated alongside somatic movement. While she doesn’t push spirituality, Acomb uses a grounding element of breath and mindfulness in her classes.
“I want people to see what they’re doing as a celebration of the human spirit,” she said. “If you live your life in a way that honors your body and connects to the natural world around us, there’s something inherently spiritual about that.”
This spring, Acomb and her husband, organic farmer and musician Evan Meulemans, are collaborating to offer new opportunities for community connection through live music and yoga workshops. They plan to donate the proceeds to different charities each session; a workshop on February 8 raised funds for Los Angeles Wildfire support.
“Heather has this abundance mindset I’ve never seen in anyone else,” said Meulemans. “She has an enigmatic pull and if you allow yourself to be non-judgemental toward it and be present in it, you can’t help but go along for the ride.” heatheracomb.com
Sydney Burrows is a contributor to CITY.
This article appears in Dec 1-31, 2024.
