Yoga for Seniors
As with a regular yoga class, Gentle Yoga is not limited to just stretching and strengthening exercises. A very strong emphasis is put on deep, abdominal yogic breathing. With this special breathing we do in yoga, the student gets about 50% more air into the lungs, resulting in the whole body receiving more oxygen. Consequently, the internal organs get rejuvenated. The extra oxygen also invigorates the muscles helping them to avoid fatigue and giving them more strength. The benefits of deep yogic breathing don't stop there. With this deep breathing, the brain gets more oxygen helping one to think more clearly, become more mentally alert and able to deal with life's problems more readily.
Parallel to the stretching, strengthening and deep breathing we place a very strong emphasis on positive thinking. All of us, not just the elderly or the physically handicapped place innumerable limitations upon ourselves just through our thinking. Our minds are so often fixed , knowing exactly what we can and can't do. A yoga class, particularly with a good teacher, is a good time to slip out of this habit. I often get a chuckle when a new students comes into the Gentle Yoga class. He or she immediately begins to tell me what he or she can't do. I stop the student immediately, telling them fine, we're not going to focus on what you can't do, only on what you can, and from now on let's not use the word "can't". If there is something you think you can't do, just be quiet about it and do the best you can. One day you will surprise yourself. I continually tell them, "Whether you think you can or think you can't, either way you are right!
Gentle Yoga One-Hour Classes are held six times each week:
Monday Wednesday & Friday - 11 AM
Tuesday & Thursday - 9 AM
Saturday - 7:45 AM
(The Saturday class is the one where, for years, people have been going out to breakfast together after class.)