Yoga Benefits for All Ages

The older we are the more rewarding and essential yoga becomes.

About three years ago Patricia Becker visited my home to familiarize me with Yoga. I have been receiving her wise counselBill Reller June 5, 2015 ever since. I was a skeptic but now a believer! Particularly because of Patricia and who she is as a person.

I had visited three knee replacement surgeons who generally provided the same advice: not yet. But I was hurting. Today, although I have knee discomfort, I generally can walk anywhere I want to go, hike 5-10 miles per week at age 80! While there are many explanations for my improvement the smart money is on the support provided by Patricia in providing me with flexibility, balance, muscle strength, breath awareness, and most important, confidence. No two sessions are the same, each is tailored to my needs, and each day’s effort is planned in advance.

Patricia is a unique person totally committed to Yoga. It really is her religion. She strives as much for my happiness as my physical well-being. We end each session with the word “Namaste”-the divinity within me greets the divinity within you.

Bill Reller,
Retired Businessman, Palo Alto,

You can’t beat the one-on-one attention of a private yoga sessions.

No experience required on your part.


5 Ways to Modify Yoga Poses as We Age!

1. More  Stretching
Always begin by stretching. Muscles need to be warm to function effectively, maybe as long as 12-15  minutes. You can include;   twists, cross-legged forward bends, stretching with arms overhead and doing a twist in both directions and side bends,  extended forward standing bend with arms over head and some knee flexes from side to side. Watch you flexibility continue to increase.

2. More Restorative Postures
Bringing the body to balance and flexibility is a benefit of any yoga practice. However, an extended focus on restorative yoga postures is a grounding and calming experience. It’s a way to let go of mind clutter and decompress from a stressful day. Putting your legs up the wall is a great posture to fully open your heart and pay more attention to the breath. Child’s pose is another way to be fully present to your mind, body and spirit.

3. More Neck Rolls
Neck rolls sound simple, right? You may think it’s kind of an okay thing to do in yoga, but the neck roll movement is so very important to the base of our neck, upper back, shoulders and to the all around line of our spine. One intention in yoga is to keep the neck vertebrae in line with the vertebrae of the spin, which forms a straight line from the crown of the head down to the lumber and sacrum. So spend more time with head rolls rather than glossing through it.

4. More Knee Work in Chaturanga
Putting your knees down first on the floor. That puts less weight on your back, shoulder and arms as you lower yourself down to the mat. This will still strengthen all the muscles involved in the upper back and arms,  without the added physical stress.

5. More Time in Savasana
Savasana or corpse pose is the most important posture in a yoga practice. Don’t get antsy because most everything you want to do can wait! With a more meditative and purposeful yoga practice, you give yourself due and mindful respect.  Feel the benefits of letting go and gaining acceptance as you end your practice.

ACCEPTANCE
Sometimes a (temporary) physical limitation or healing injury can teach you more about the profound benefits of yoga than you could imagine. Go for the longevity of your yoga and meditation practice. Honor your body with greater awareness. Each one of us is perfectly imperfect!

adapted & edited from HuffingtonPost


Testimonials

I was so impressed with an introductory class with Patricia Joy Becker that I have started seeing her one-on-one for more indepth training to meet my individual needs! She has so much to offer, go check it out, you won’t want to miss this.
Marci Hayden, Legal Secretary and Para Legal

I’ve known Patricia Becker for many years in many modes. I first was introduced to her via her expertise as a master macrobiotic chef.  New to this food arena, I and our family found her instructional experience well organized, informative, and encouraging.  Her leadership in this field is encouraging yet humble – two qualities I find very important and productive towards learning and growth.  As a yoga teacher, I find her process to be informative, kind, supportive, and inspirational.  As a student of many many many modes of physical expression for 50+ years, I find it always refreshing to encounter a teacher with a variety of supportive modes towards the body’s health, growth, and well-being ~ tinged with humor, spirituality, support, quiet, and kindness.
Nancy Klimp, M.A., M.F.T.

To those who are seeking an excellent yoga teacher:
I have practiced yoga for over twenty years and rarely come across an instructor of Patricia Becker’s talents.  She offers clear instruction, helpful adjustments, inspirational guidelines and kindness to all of her students.  You would be most fortunate to have her as a teacher.  Patricia starts her classes in a timely fashion, follows a sequence of poses that prepares us well for an “apex” pose, and closes with a restful svasana.  Patricia modulates her voice well.  Her manner encourages both “lightness and play” as well as “inner-core strengthening and discipline.”  I have accomplished many things in the course of seven months of her instruction: wheel with nearly straight arms, hand-stand against the wall and a deeper splits than I have ever known.  I am “chicken.”  I move slowly when poses scare me.  She has helped me build up strength and courage to try new things–and achieve them!!!  I have brought friends to her class.  They keep coming too!  She inspires a loyal following.  So much opening of the heart, so much grace, so much fun!  I hope that you are lucky enough to have Patricia as your teacher, too!                                           Carrie Skelly

Dear Patricia, excellent class, be back next Sunday, enjoy! Warm regards
Victor David Sanchez, Ph.D.

Thank you for an awesome class!   Ana Moreno VanDiver

“Patricia has found and is sharing a profound and beautiful gift. That of inspiring in her students a physical, emotional and cerebral embracing of Hatha yoga. She smiles warmly while she teaches, whispering encouraging words while she corrects and aligns. One moment she will be demonstrating a handstand, the next she could be discussing how the teachings of the Hindu deity Ghanesha can help us in our daily lives. Patricia emanates power, grace and strength and a warm groundedness.  Though I am no longer able to be a regular student of hers due to a change in my schedule, I miss her inner and outer beauty and I miss observing the magic she weaves as she helps each student find strength, flexibility and balance, in class and in their lives.”
Wati Grossman,  Principal at WatiDesign Consulting, Owner Wati Design, DoubleVisionTwinsBlog

Patricia is a fabulous yoga teacher. I took classes with her on and off for a couple of years. She is skilled in Alignment Yoga. I left feeling stronger, leaner and more flexible.
Gaelyn Georgia

“Patricia is truly a joy. She makes Yoga fun and user friendly.After a morning session with her, I felt invigorated. Her energy was contagious. It was a healthy and positive way to start the day. Thank you Patricia.”
Jane Kos, Language Instructor