Having just returned from Michigan to see my seventy-five-year-old parents and to attend my thirty-year high school class reunion, I've been thinking a lot about aging. At the reunion, one of the central topics of conversation was aging parents and how to support them to stay healthy. I truly believe that encouraging our parents to keep moving and doing that ourselves is the number one way for us all to stay healthy. "No matter what, keep moving" is one of our team's mantras at Mind the Mat.  

As a practitioner of yoga for twenty years and an experienced yoga instructor, I have seen how yoga keeps people youthful and healthy even as they age by reducing cortisol levels, calming the central nervous system, improving circulation, posture, balance, and flexibility, promoting body awareness, and increasing the levels of oxygen to the cells through specific breath techniques. Yoga classes are also an environment where seniors can connect with one another in healthy, inspiring ways.  

If you are a senior or you know a senior who would like to try yoga, come our way! To serve our senior community in Alexandria and beyond, Mind the Mat has developed a Yoga for Aging Well 4-Week Series, taught by seniors certified in yoga instruction. Vaccinations are required to attend this class. The first series starts this fall on October 5 at Mind the Mat in Del Ray, Alexandria. Registration is open now! This series will be taught by Bill Ginivan, featured in the video below. Bill has been on his own yoga journey and affirms that yoga changed his life for the better.

Other Mind the Mat Classes for Seniors:

Intro to Therapeutics with Caroline Deitch

Tuesday, September 6, 8pm-9pm in Alexandria. 

This one-time class is a chance to find out what Therapeutic Series is best for you given your specific injury, limitation, or health condition. Enrollment is not limited to seniors.

Therapeutic Pilates 6-Week Series with Caroline Deitch

Starts Tuesday, September 13, 9:30am-10:30am in Alexandria.

This series is not only for seniors but for anyone with injuries, movement limitations, or chronic health conditions.

Therapeutic Yoga for Back Care with Sara VanderGoot

Thursday, September 15, 5pm-6:30pm in Alexandria.  

This one-time class is an opportunity to get an expert's opinion on how to address your specific back issues using yoga, Pilates, and breath techniques that you can take home with you and use on a daily bases. Enrollment is not limited to seniors.

Therapeutic Yoga for Stress & Anxiety with Lisa Haskins

Saturday, September 17, 3pm-5:15pm in Alexandria.  

This one-time class will give you powerful tools you can use on your own to regulate your central nervous system.

Therapeutic Yoga 6-Week Series with Caroline Deitch

Starts Tuesday, September 20, 7:45pm-8:45pm in Alexandria.

This series is not only for seniors but for anyone with injuries, movement limitations, or chronic health conditions.