Elizabethton Senior Citizens Center provides well being for seniors in the form of yoga
Published 4:48 pm Monday, November 1, 2021
Star Photo/Nic Miller Chair Yoga instructor Shirley Gomillion walks around the classroom and surveys all those in attendance of Monday's class.
Star Photo/Nic Miller Members of the Elizabethton Senior Citizens Center Chair Yoga Class work on their "Tree Pose" during Monday's class.
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BY NIC MILLER
STAR STAFF
nic.miller@elizabethton.com
Elizabethton Senior Citizens Center offers both chair yoga and general flow classes to seniors in an effort to help them improve mobility and quality of life.
“I started as an instructor earlier this year in January doing chair yoga. This type of yoga is for those who cannot stand and do poses or may have replacement joints, so we use chairs to modify movements and better accommodate for those people,” said Shirley Gomillion, instructor.
“We have so many great people who attend these classes, and I love all of them because they seem to have such an enjoyment in coming to these classes. Sometimes I have eight people in my class and sometimes I have 22, but no matter the class size I greatly enjoy being able to teach a yoga class for all of these people,” Gomillion said.
Carrie Maggard, instructor of the gentle flow class at the senior citizens center, said she tailors her classes to the participants. “We focus on being able to get up and down and be mindful of our bodies. I teach mind body awareness, which is very helpful when they age because it helps them know how to move safely.”
Maggard said she teaches at the senior center because the participants want to both feel better and improve their quality of life. ”
“I am happy to give my time because it is about seeing them and hearing them say that they are not hurting or that they are able to do more than they could previously.”
At 92, Ginny Macelis knows the benefits of yoga.
“I have been attending classes here for about six months, and when I moved here from New Jersey I wanted to find something to do that would help me meet new people as well as give me exercise,” she said. “This place has done a tremendous job at doing both of those things, and I always look forward to coming.”
Yoga classes at the Elizabethton Senior Citizens Center are held weekly on Monday and Wednesday with chair yoga beginning at 12:15 p.m. and gentle flow beginning at 1:30 p.m. For more information on any of the yoga classes offered by the center, call (423) 543-4362.
