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Yoga Resources in San Francisco, New York & Dallas-Fort Worth
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The other night, after a long day of writing, thinking and overanalyzing, I stretched into downward dog and felt a familiar sense of calm wash over me. As I imagined myself breathing space into the tight parts of my body, my mind started to wander. First, I wondered if there was a pair of socks stuck between my sheets. Then, I imagined what my life would look like five hundred downward dogs down the road. And next, I thought about how grateful I am for my yoga studio. All strong practices stem from a place that feels like home. Eventually, that place is your own mind and body. Since most of us fall a few thousand insights short of the Dalai Llama, I thought this might be a good time to give my suggestions.
San Francisco Bay Area and the East Bay
- The Yoga Loft in the Lower Haight. The schedule includes a class for back and neck care that is ideal for people with chronic pain in those areas. I also recommend restorative classes and Yoga 101 for learning the basics.
- The California Pacific Medical Center, with locations in Marin, San Mateo and San Francisco, offers a three-level senior yoga program developed specifically for people over the age of 59. Chair yoga is ideal for those with limited mobility, while gentle yoga incorporates moderately paced floor work.
- The San Francisco YMCA has several locations, many with programming designed specifically for seniors.
- The San Francisco Senior Center has two locations, downtown and at Aquatic Park. Yoga, tai chi and qigong all aid with breathing, strength and balance.
- This fall, the Contra Costa Times recognized a 58-year-old instructor who teaches at The Yoga Movement Center. The article retells her experience living with fused vertebrae in her neck and severe arthritis and how yoga has helped keep her out of a wheelchair! The center offers restorative yoga, classes for back care and multiple sclerosis, and has a class specifically for people over 50.
- Oakland Adult & Career Education offers free yoga and tai chi classes at various locations throughout Oakland.
New York—The 5 Boroughs
- Yoga Sutra in Midtown offers a gentle yoga class that is appropriate for seniors or beginners. Three different styles of yoga are taught, and the first class is free.
- The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation Center in Chelsea has a fitness schedule that includes yoga, water aerobics, tai chi, and strength training for adults and seniors.
- If you live in Queens, Tree of Life Yoga and Wellness in Forest Hills is one of your best options for a studio. There’s a gentle yoga class for joints and glands that is designed to help people with stiffness or arthritis.
- Yoga Studio A in Brooklyn leads gentle yoga classes with the senior population in mind. They employ relaxation and breathing techniques and focus on warming up the body and working the joints and glands. They even offer private classes, for up to three people, at $75 a class.
- Dahn Yoga, with studios in all five boroughs, provides herbal tea after most basic classes to gently ease you back into your day. If you’re interested in trying tai chi or qigong as well, this is the place for you.
Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex
- The YMCA has over a century’s worth of history and is definitely a cost-effective option. Several of their Dallas locations run programs for active older adults, providing group classes such as aerobics, yoga and pilates.
- The Dallas Yoga Center offers 60 weekly classes and has attracted seniors up to 90 years old! The restorative yoga class is nurturing, and there’s also a class just for women.
- Addison Circle Yoga has a Gentle Waves class that is slow and intentional, making it easier to find a balance between the mind and body. The generous first week special offers a week of unlimited yoga for $15. I recommend trying the Desert and Still Water classes as well, to see which pace is right for you.
- If you’re looking for a mild activity in addition to yoga, you may want to check out the full schedule at the Jewish Community Center of Dallas. Although they do offer yoga, tai chi for arthritis and warm water aerobics will certainly get your blood flowing.
Hopefully these suggestions find you ready to begin your practice. If you live in a long-term care facility, ask your activity director to bring in a yoga instructor! It really doesn’t matter where you bring your mat, as long as you find your way back to it.
Challenging your minds and bodies—
Lori Deschene
Posted in: Holistic Health, Senior Health, Tips for Healthy Living
I brought my Mom to yoga with me and she loved it. She’s in her mid seventies.
You know I’ve thought of trying yoga but honestly I didn’t want to be standing next to some young thing who can put her leg behind her head. My body isn’t what it used to be, but I guess that’s why I should do some yoga! I didn’t realize so many places offer classes for people my age.
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