Misty is a Village resident who takes time out of her busy week to set up and facilitate the twice weekly seated yoga classes that take place in the Apartments Lounge. She tells
us how it all got started;
“Karen, our Village Activities Coordinator, is always looking for great ways to get us out and about and to keep us physically, mentally and socially active. Karen initiated the yoga group about six months ago, and I offered to contribute by setting up and helping to facilitate. I
set out the room and get the smart tv ready. I help people choose their weights, making sure they aren’t going too heavy, and during the session, I remind people to breathe and to engage their core. I have never done yoga before, so I am learning with everyone else!
“You can see when people first arrive they can hardly move, and then after a couple of sessions, they are moving a little bit further and suddenly they realise – “Hey! I’m doing things that I haven’t been able to for a long time!”. They feel their bodies loosening up, which improves the whole flow in their body, helping with mobility. When we walk home after yoga we feel so much looser, it makes us feel so good.
We find the programs on Youtube, and the nice thing about them is that they are varied but suited to seniors and beginners. We need to be careful that we aren’t forcing our bodies to do things they don’t want to, so I remind the group to listen to their bodies.
We started off as a small group and it has grown as word got round - and it’s still growing. We are adding another class to make two classes a week as requested by the group. I am often amazed at the different strengths that we all have, and we all cheer each other along when
we see a new improvement which is so wonderful. I have noticed a difference in my posture. I’m walking straighter, with my chest out and my neck long, and I feel safer walking in this stance. Yoga really ticks the boxes for a healthy body and mind. I wonder now why I haven’t been doing it for years!”
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