The ladies of Cantabria Senior Apartments and Asturias Senior Apartments in Panorama City, CA, have been taking their yoga seriously. When last I visited them about six months ago, they were coming along, still on their mats, still finding their balance, focused to be sure, but definitely fledglings.
Well.
Fledglings no more.
The yoga class I walked in on this week was full of limber, long-limbed, lithe ladies, wrapped around themselves, flexed toes reaching for the skies, arms embracing a larger sense of self. I could not believe the transformation wrought by their incredible instructor, Pamela Roylance.
There was light music playing in the background — it was about as muffled as the pool balls cracking against each other in the adjacent pool room. What I could hear, was the deep breathing, the pants and grunts of humans reaching their fullest physical potential. Their faces were glowing with perspiration, their brows knotted with concentration as they inhaled and exhaled through the grueling postures.
I was in awe of them. I wished I could join them, but their practice has far surpassed mine.
This is Martha. She had never done yoga before a few months ago. She still uses a chair for some of the poses, but she is making progress fast. She thanks me over and over again for bringing this class into her life.
~ Elizabeth Sampson, Regional Program Director
