Healing through Yoga

by G. Whiteford

I have been been taking gentle yoga classes for over four years. I was recovering from leukemia and felt I needed to do some gentle exercise to get back my strength. Also, my right knee had been short-listed for replacement and I was told it would take 2 years. I thought the yoga would help.

My first impression of the class was of a group of women laughing and talking. Their age range seemed to be between the 40’s and 90’s. Margau introduced me and everyone was so welcoming. The class was a combination of chair and standing yoga which was great for me because at that time I could not stand for long. As we started with stretching, and then moved to modified yoga poses I never felt pressured and was pleased that Margau offered suggestions on how to modify moves. She is very aware of the ages and medical conditions of her students.

As the weeks passed, I began to feel stronger and my knee stopped hurting as much. So much, in fact, that I decided to postpone my knee surgery. I felt good enough to start with short walks and then longer ones.

The class continues even in the Covid-19 times. We are now doing sessions outside in the sun. It is lovely. This class has been so good for me. I have met some incredible women, have enjoyed gatherings outside of class (the Christmas meet is wonderful) and have steadily improved my health. And I will keep going until I am as old as some of the participants who are in their 90’s.

Why do I still go to this class? The participants, the way I feel during and after the class, the care, the laughter, the conversation, the sharing, but mostly, Margau. Her energy, knowledge and joy at what she does is, dare I say, infectious. She is the pin that holds us together.