MELISSA BONDS
The Daily Mountain Eagle
Published August 03, 2006 1:20 AM CDT

SUMITON — Tuesday and Thursday mornings are a time for relaxation at the Sumiton Senior Center.
A yoga class designed especially for senior citizens leads its participants through a series of breathing and stretching exercises intended to relax and rejuvenate.
“Yoga is a mind-body discipline that’s been around for over 6,000 years. It’s all about breath and movement,” instructor Jilda Watson said.
According to Watson, the majority of the class is in their 70s and 80s.
While traditional yoga classes push participants to their limits in order to improve their balance and flexibility, this class offers modified poses intended to help class members without overexerting them.
“For the seniors, there are a lot of modifications from the traditional yoga poses to accommodate their bodies,” Watson said.
At the beginning of each class, Watson leads her pupils through a series of breathing exercises meant to calm them and prepare their bodies for the exercises to come.
“Do what your body will let you. Don’t force anything,” Watson said as she coached the class through a modified lotus position.
“No matter what kind of day we’ve had or what kind of life we’ve lived, we’re still blooming,” Watson said soothingly.
“Don’t forget to breathe. You know I turn into the yoga police if you forget to breathe,” she added.

After going through a half-hour series of motions intended to improve flexibility and balance, Watson ended her class on an appreciative note.
“I’m grateful for you, and I’m grateful for this day we’ve had together. Namaste,” Watson said, ending the class with a traditional Indian saying, which loosely translates into “I honor that place in you where the whole universe resides. And when I am in that place in me, and you are in that place in you, there is only one of us.”
Class members say yoga has not only improved their health, it is also a bright spot in their social calendar.
“I’ve been going to these classes since ‘93 when it was at the old center. It’s good for my health, and it’s good to get together with people and have a good time,” George Flack said.
“I’ve been coming for about four years. I know I’m more nimble, and I’m not as tight as I was,” Senior Center manager Joan Brasher said.
“We love the yoga. It relaxes us and relieves stress. I think overall we all feel better,” Brasher added.
Watson later expounded on the benefits of yoga for people of any age.
“It brings calmness and relaxation. It boosts the body’s immune system, because it helps the body to relax,” Watson, who has been practicing yoga for 30 years, said.
“It improves flexibility, balance and strength, too. A lot of them are at the point in their lives where they don’t have the energy or they just can’t take the long walks they used to. This is an opportunity to help their breathing and little things like improving their balance,” Watson said.
Watson emphasized the importance of knowing one’s limits when attending any yoga class, whether it is for seniors or people of all ages.
“A good thing, even in general yoga, is to listen to your body, and don’t force anything. Do only what your body wants,” she said.
The senior yoga class is offered twice a week at the Sumiton Senior Center at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
A more general yoga class for people of all ages is offered at the center on Monday nights from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
“It doesn’t matter what your physical level is. You can do something. In yoga, there is no judgment, and there is no competition,” Watson said.