Deep breath ... relax

Fifteen yoga students followed the movements of instructor Jill Mustacchio Wednesday at the Douglas County Senior Center. The 15, ranging in age from 60 to 92 1/2, sat on chairs or stood on the lawn in the shade. All 15 kept up with Mustacchio.

"See if you can surrender yourself to the relaxation," said Mustacchio, as soothing musical tones played from a small boombox. "Come out of it by wiggling your fingers and toes," she said, as the seniors complied, with 30 hands and feet in motion.

As a supplement to the regular resistance exercise program, Douglas County Senior Services is offering a Yoga for Senior's class 10:30-11 a.m. each Wednesday. This program is sponsored by the Division for Aging Services and is conducted at the Douglas County Senior Center, located at 2300 Meadow Lane in Gardnerville.

Louise Jenkins, the eldest of the group, didn't miss a movement. She chose to do the modified leg lift, simply crossing her legs rather than lifting the foot up onto the thigh of the other leg.

"If you have a hip that is healing we're going to modify the pose," said Mustacchio. "If you're feeling tight, take a breath right to that area."

Then she instructed the group to lower their leg until both feet were planted on the ground.

"As you feel your feet on the earth, see if you can imagine them pulling the healing energy from the earth," said Mustacchio.

The group ended the session with their eyes closed and hands together in a prayer position. Mustacchio told them to "send blessings to anyone you know who needs loving, kindness, health and wellness" first to others and then to themselves.

Jenkins said she hasn't missed a week since Mustacchio began teaching the Yoga for Senior's class in October.

"She's a good teacher," said Jenkins. "I'm glad she came. It's the first time I ever did yoga. It relaxes and makes you feel good."

Barbara Indiano, 75, started attending the class about three months ago. She praised Jenkins for her participation in the class.

"She is amazing," said Indiano. "She does better than any of us.

"You feel the movements you do. It's wonderful," she said. "I'm just a senior citizen who's moving a little bit more."

Mustacchio began teaching yoga in 2000, after deciding to take a break from the nursing profession. Now she teaches classes at the 02 Wellness Center in Gardnerville, is planning on teaching classes at the Sierra Training Studio in Minden starting in August, and her classes at the senior center will increase from once a week to twice a week, Tuesday and Thursday mornings, also in August.

"I love yoga. It's a gift and I love sharing it," she said.

The Yoga for Seniors class is gentle yoga that explores beginning yoga postures and breath work. It is a safe, low-impact program, designed especially for seniors.

This class is offered free of charge to anyone 60 years of age or older. For further information, contact the senior center at 783-6455.

n Jo Rafferty can be reached at jrafferty@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 210.