Seated Yoga Flow Friday is not only helping a group of residents with their physical fitness goals but also spiritual enrichment at the Amherst Public Library.
Cindy Miller greeted her class Dec. 30 after a library staff member set up chairs in a meeting room.
Just after Miller closed the door, she started setting the stage for relaxation with soft music.
Beginning with breathing exercises, Miller taught the patrons techniques “to clear the mind and be present in the moment” before leading them through movements to stretch and strengthen muscles to better support their joints and flexibility.
A native of the Amherst area, Miller has been teaching yoga for about 10 years, she said.
“I’m happy to offer it to the community. And, I love doing it,” Miller said before the session began.
“It’s for their mind, body and they can take it to their soul, too. A lot of them use spirituality with yoga as well,” Miller said of her students.
At the December session, the patrons learned yoga while they were seated in chairs.
“The nice thing about seated yoga is it’s good for people who have mobility issues,” said Becky Denes, the library’s public information manager.
“It’s low impact, but good exercise,” Denes added.
The classes opened to everyone over the age of 18 for the December session.
Usually, between 25 to 35 people attend the session, but on Dec. 30, the class was a bit sparse.
The week before, the class was canceled due to Winter Storm Elliot, Denes said.
“We’ve had some form of yoga here consistently since I’ve worked here,” said Denes who’s in her third year working at the library.
During the COVID 19 pandemic, the library offered yoga sessions virtually through YouTube, said Denes.
The library closed down the sessions temporarily earlier this year as the facility was under renovation.
The classes resumed in July as the library reopened, Denes said.
“I’m new at it, but I have really enjoyed it,” said Peg Hasenpflug, 65, of Oberlin.
Hasenpflug struggles with arthritis and decided to try yoga to see if it would improve her condition, she said.
“I was hoping it would help and I think it has,” Hasenpflug said.
“We call it ‘juicing up your joint,’ ” she added with a laugh.
Hasenpflug also enjoys the way Miller teaches, she said.
“I really like the teacher. She’s very kind. I like the way she speaks to us. She’s very patient,” Hasenpflug said.
For information on future yoga sessions and other events at the library, visit its website at amherstpubliclibrary.org or sign up to receive its newsletter.