Extra Gentle Yoga (for Seniors)

The past few weeks I've been enjoying reunions with friends, places, and memories as my family has returned to a place some of us once lived. Surprisingly, I can still navigate most of the streets, and recognize many familiar faces at church though I haven't thought of them in years. Sadly some of our favorite haunts have gone out of business and some friends have moved on.

One of the real treats of the trip for me has been the chance to reconnect with a special yoga teacher who led my practice before and during my first pregnancy. She is even more radiant, patient, and kind then she was those years ago. I had hoped that I could practice with her again while I was here and so many sweet coincidences have accompanied our time together. (Our first practice together took place only a few days after Guru Purnima, the Indian holiday honoring the teachers in our lives.) Although she has cut her teaching substantially this summer--she usually teaches around 15 classes a week and she is only teaching 2--she initially thought that only one class would be appropriate for me to attend, but mentioned that her other class is a chair yoga class. Little did she know that Dani and I have been planning to offer a gentle beginning yoga class at the Recreation Center this fall.

I had approached Dani with the idea after watching a several people new to my classes struggle with the intensity. I felt bad not being able to tone the class down enough that everyone could enjoy it. Dani reported she had received inquires about something more suited to seniors beginning a practice. While I am eager and willing to make such an offering, it is a little daunting as my teacher training was a more vigorous style of yoga and it has been several years since I attended gentle classes. Not only have I been able to attend the classes with survivors of cardiac and pulmonary problems, but I have been able to talk with my teachers one on one about what she does and why. She has years of experience teaching these classes and it has been an unexpected boon to be able to experience her offerings just as I am thinking and planning my own.  

So if you know someone who would like to try out Extra Gentle Yoga, point them in our direction. Sign-up is happening now at the front desk (no additional fee for member $24 for non-memebers). Classes will be Thursdays, 10 -- 11am, September 6 -- October 10.