Ryan lely/Sonoma Valley Sun
Donald Clement (foreground), Bob Wiebusch and Patti Baker practicing yoga at the Creekside Village.
Steeped in centuries of history and tradition, yoga offers a multitude of benefits for people at all stages of life and can be especially helpful as we age. In its simplest state, yoga is an excellent system for cleansing the physical body of stresses and tension. In its most refined state, yoga is a graceful lifestyle that enhances every aspect of our life.
Physiologically, the benefits of a regular yoga practice may include a reduction of stress, anxiety and blood pressure and improved circulation, balance and immune function, to name just a few. In addition, yoga is excellent for aiding the digestive system, establishing proper sleep patterns and supporting the lymphatic system.
Different poses are recommended for specific situations. Downward Facing Dog, for instance, is helpful in treating mild depression, stretching and strengthening all the major muscle groups and rejuvenating brain cells by diminishing fatigue.
Practitioners claim an overall sense of well-being and happiness, and an increased ability to handle stressful situations. Even medical professionals encourage yoga for those struggling with depression, stress, anxiety and other emotional and mental challenges.
In Sonoma Valley, the 55-and-over crowd has several yoga classes from which to choose. The gentlest of the classes are performed almost completely in chairs with a few standing exercises. On Tuesdays from 10:30 – 11:20 a.m., Jane Zimmerman offers one of these easy-going, mostly-seated classes at Sonoma Hills Retirement Center. There is no cost for the class, but donations are encouraged. On Thursdays from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., another chair class is offered at Avalon Assisted Living facility for $3 per session. Both classes are open to the public and no special props are required. Simply show up with an open mind, and wear clothing that will allow you to move freely,
In addition to chair classes, there are several yoga-mat classes in Sonoma for seniors. Mat classes will offer a combination of postures that may include lying down of the back, sitting down, standing up, and various positions in between. If you are concerned about your ability to participate in some of the exercises, have a chat with the teacher ahead of time and express your concerns. Teachers can often offer variations of postures that may allow you to participate and gain the benefits of practice without compromising your particular issue.
The Vintage House offers three public yoga-mat classes that are $3 for members, $5 for non-members. Carol Allison teaches morning classes on Mondays from 9:30-10:30 and Fridays from 10:30 – 11:30. On Thursdays, Yoga with Sofi is offered in the evening from 5 – 6 p.m. Residents (only) of Creekside Village have three classes available to them: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. and Friday afternoons*, 1 –2 p.m. In addition, Yoga Community offers a Restorative Yoga (a deeply relaxing collection of passive postures) class on Sunday evenings from 5 – 7 p.m. that is open to the public for $16 per class.
The Sonoma Ashram is now offering classes in its new yoga building, including a Gentle Morning Yoga session on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Suggested donation: $10.
Of course, for those seniors who regularly practice yoga or are still enjoying active lifestyles, an array of classes ranging from meditative to nearly aerobic are available in Sonoma Valley. Just look around and find a class to join. As my own yoga teacher says, “The hardest part is showing up on the mat.”
(Note: Mats are not normally provided at these classes except for the ones at the Yoga Community. Pharmaca, Whole Foods and Sonoma Market all stock yoga mats.)
Chair Yoga Classes:
Tuesdays, 10:30 – 11:20 a.m.
Jane Zimmerman, teacher
by donation
Sonoma Hills Retirement Center
405 W. MacArthur St., Sonoma
707.939.7856
Thursdays, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Lisa Murray, teacher
$3 per session
Avalon Assisted Living & Alzheimer Care
91 Napa Rd., Sonoma
707.939.1500
Yoga Mat Classes:
Sundays, 5 – 7 p.m.
Lisa Murray, teacher
$16 per session
Yoga Community
577 Fifth St. W.. Sonoma
707.935.8600
Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 9:30 – 11 a.m.
Gentle Morning Yoga
Suggested donation: $10
1087 Craig Ave., Sonoma
707.996.8915
Mondays, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Carol Allison, teacher
$3 members, $5 non-members
Vintage House Senior Center
246 First St. W., Sonoma
707.996.0311
Thursdays, 5 – 6 p.m.
Yoga with Sofi
$3 members, $5 non-members
Vintage House Senior Center
246 First St. W., Sonoma
707.996.0311
Fridays, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Carol Allison, teacher
$3 members, $5 non-members
Vintage House Senior Center
246 First St. W., Sonoma
996-0311
*Creekside Village Yoga classes are not open to the public; they are for residents and guests only.
