On March 12, 2010, Leah Wheeless’ son, her only child, took his own life.

Wheeless had to teach herself how to breathe, how to relax and how to focus.

She did, and now, with encouragement from a friend, Wheeless is remembering in a special way her son, David Vantrease Jr., who was a month shy of his 28th birthday when he died after suffering with depression for his whole life.

Wheeless, a master yoga instructor, had taught yoga five years before her son’s death but quit soon after.

A few weeks ago, she began teaching a free class in memory of her son at a donated space on Washington Street.