Gentle Yoga

Blandina Peterson

Fayetteville, North Carolina
United States

Blandina retired from the U.S. Army and is a disabled Veteran who wants to give back to her community by sharing the benefits of yoga when teaching it mainly to Veterans, their family members, Seniors, 55+ and individuals with limited mobility. She is a RYT200, a Yoga Vista Academy Chair Yoga and Chair Yoga Dance graduate, a certified Warrior At Ease Yoga Teacher and is currently participating in a RYT300 program. She volunteers and teaches...

Dana Begley

Nashville, Tennessee
United States

Darlene Nadeau

Plymouth, New Hampshire
United States

Kathy Bragagnola

Buffalo, New York
United States

I have a love and passion for yoga, movement, wellness and nature. My experience includes teaching chair yoga classes at local community centers. I believe yoga can be practiced throughout our lifetime and has such a benefit to our overall well-being. As a social worker for over 25yrs. I have learned the importance of integrating all aspects of the self including body, mind and spirit.

Rachel Lewis

Aubonne, New York
Switzerland

Fastie Murphree

Kauai, Hawaii
United States

Fastie (pronounced Fast-Eye) received her yoga teacher certification in January of 2020 (200 RYT) from Cloud Nine Yoga on Kauai. Her desire to provide space for seniors to enjoy and benefit from yoga led to a dual Chair and Gentle Yoga certification from Yoga Vista Academy. With a friendly smile and positive attitude she invites you to give yoga a try!

Sue Richard

Greeneville, Tennessee
United States

Sue Richard is originally from Ohio and currently lives in East Tennessee. She has been practicing yoga for 15 years and has been a certified instructor since 2018. Sue’s mother enjoyed yoga well into her 90’s and she inspired Sue to take the Yoga Alliance 200-hour training. Sue obtained her 200-hour teaching certificate through the Asheville (NC) Yoga Center and has completed additional training with certifications in Chair Yoga and Gentle Yoga through Yoga Vista...

Uma Raju

West Bloomfield Township, Michigan
United States

My journey of Yoga started 10 years back when began to attend Yoga classes to overcome stress and anxiety I was going through in my life which led me to develop interest in exploring about Yoga Teacher Training.  I was particular in staying in an Ashram close to my hometown in India to do Teacher Training.  I had no intention to teach Yoga after Certification. I did my 200 hour Teacher Training at Sivananda Ashram,...

Maryann O'Brien

West End, North Carolina
United States

Maryann O’Brien is yoga instructor with over two decades of experience. She holds a RYT 200 hour certification through Yoga Alliance with supplemental certifications in Yin, Chair and Gentle Yoga. Maryann has a kaleidoscope of life experiences that allow her to combine a breath of knowledge and creativity. As a former Radio City Music Hall Rockette with 20 years as a special education teacher, she combines her passion for dance and kinetic movement to enrich...

Gail Ann Winkler

Neenah, Wisconsin
United States

Mary Kay LaGuardia

Naperville, Illinois
United States

Mary Kay lives in Naperville, Illinois with her husband and their four cats. She discovered Yoga’s healing power 19 years ago during a very difficult time in her life, and has been practicing ever since. Mary Kay has a passion for sharing Yoga with Seniors, and those who are discovering Yoga later in life.

Hazel Tillman

Locking Castle, Weston-Super-Mare, Illinois
United Kingdom

I’m a qualified hatha, pregnancy and Chair Yoga teacher. Until October 2018 I was teaching yoga part-time alongside my full-time job as Manager of Alzheimer’s Society in North Somerset where I had worked for 24 years. Having a background of working with seniors and people affected by dementia, I felt drawn to bring these skills and passions together with my yoga. I’m so pleased I studied Chair Yoga with Yoga Vista Academy as there is...

Joan McCullough

Riverside, California
United States

Joan’s yoga students span a wide range of fitness levels, capabilities, limitations, and age. Whether teaching in a private or class setting at a studio, college, senior center or medical clinic, she has a heartfelt way of facilitating a calming of the mind, as well as the well-being of the body. She helps you to meet your body where it is at through use of props, pose modifications, and by encouraging you to honor your own...

Maria Perez

Miami Lakes, Florida
United States

Director of Operations for the Yoga Vista After turning 40, Maria began taking Yoga classes and soon they became an essential part of her life. She became a Yoga teacher (RYT 200) in 2016 and taught sporadically at various studios and gyms. In 2019, she was offered a Chair Yoga class at a SilverSneakers Flex location (Elite Health in Pembroke Pines, Florida) and it turned her life around! After receiving her Chair Yoga and Gentle...

Jacob Fuller

Dallas Metro Area, Texas
United States

Jacob Fuller is Certified in Gentle Yoga from Yoga Vista Academy, with teachers Sherry Zak-Morris and Justine Shelton.  I am also Certified in Senior Therapeutic Yoga from Yoga4Seniors with teachers Kimberly Carson and Carol Krucoff, and just finished my Certification in Yoga4Cancer with Tari Prinster. I received my 200 Hour RYT from Pam Schulte with Just Practice Yoga in St. Louis in Astanga/Hatha. I am a available for Private Lessons as well as teaching various...

Jane Allen

Clemmons, North Carolina
United States

Deanna Gutovic

Kitchener, North Carolina
Canada

Jacqueline Carter

Bruce, Alberta, North Carolina
Canada

Andrea Fitzgerald

Denton, Texas
United States

Andrea “Andi” Fitzgerald is a RYT-200 with a B.S. in Human Development from The University of Arkansas. Her passion is teaching chair yoga and gentle yoga classes to the senior population!  

Suzanne Oliver Gifford

Apex, North Carolina
United States

Patty Scheibmeir

Frisco, Texas
United States

Patty has been inspired by fitness her entire life, yet only walked into a yoga studio after her doctor recommended it to gain back balance after a complete rupture of her Achilles’ tendon. She was hooked from that first class and went on to complete her 200 hr teacher training (North Texas Yoga) and her Chair Yoga certification (Yoga Vista Academy) with the goal to empower the mobility impaired and seniors to also discover their...

Barbara Ruvarac

Naperville, Illinois
United States

One month after her 200 RYT certification in Vinyasa with Yoga Alliance, Barb discovered Yoga Vista Academy. She is certified in Chair and Gentle Yoga, which is her passion! She enjoys teaching people of all ages who may feel intimidated about yoga. Seeing her own parents age and not moving as much, she empowers her students about easing the mind, working on the breath and getting the body moving to feel good. Chair yoga classes...

Tomme Fent

Gresham, Oregon
United States

I teach Gentle Yoga, Chair Yoga, and All Levels Hatha Yoga, and am Lead Trainer for 200-hour Yoga Teacher Trainings. I didn’t begin practicing yoga until I was 50 years old, and took my first yoga training at 60, so don’t ever think you’re too old to begin a new adventure!

Kandi Furphy

Laramie, Wyoming
United States

Sharon Gaughan

Grayslake, Illinois
United States

A passion for yoga and a passion for teaching – Sharon discovered both during her early twenties. Fast forward to 2014, when she finally combined these two passions by becoming a yoga instructor. Sharon teaches primarily Chair Yoga, Gentle Yoga, and Yoga Basics – especially to those who have reached mid-life and beyond. Sharon is also the proprietor of Essential Journey Yoga, which focuses on health and wellness through yoga, herbs, and essential oils (www.essentialjourneyyoga.com).

Becky Barnes

Moscow, Idaho
United States

Prior to retirement, I worked in the business world as an administrative assistant, in the community as a private counselor, and in the public school district teaching children with special needs. My passion has shifted in recent years to working with seniors, and I currently volunteer at our senior center teaching chair yoga

Jennifer Hilton

Woodstock, Georgia
United States

After I turned 40, I decided I needed to balance my love of running with the practice of yoga and keep myself busy since my children had recently moved out of the house. Not only did I reap the benefits yoga has for the body but also the mind and soul. I loved it so much I wanted to inspire others through the practice of yoga. I received my 200RYT certification from my wonderful teacher,...

Linda Sala

White Plains, New York
United States

I am a lifelong lover of health and wellness, and have found that yoga brings me a sense of calm and balance. My focus is now on teaching chair and gentle yoga.

Kim Jacobs

La Crescent, Minnesota
United States

I live in La Crescent, MN. I am a retired CPA who fell in love with hot vinyasa yoga after becoming an empty nester. Now, in retirement, one of my passions is to encourage seniors to keep moving their bodies so they can remain independent and active so they can enjoy their lives to the fullest. To that end, I volunteer teach gentle and chair yoga classes to anyone interested at my church.

Tamela Smith

Fairfax, California
United States

Angela Miller

Roanoke, Indiana
United States

I am a certified professional Group Fitness Instructor through the American Council on Exercise with a specialty in Senior Fitness. I teach Silver Sneakers Classic, Circuit, Splash, and Yoga. I also teach Zumba Gold and Gold Toning. I became a group fitness instructor at a local YWCA in 1978. In 2015, I recovered from a completely torn rotator cuff surgery. And in 2016, a total hip replacement on the left. Shortly after, I found the...

Anna Wagner

Mt Wolf, Pennsylvania
United States

I joined the army to see the world. Got stationed at Fort Meade, Maryland assigned to work with Civilian Engineers assigned to NASA. Never got further than 50 miles from home. Retired from Department of Environmental Protection in 2003 (Section chief of Technical Support and Internal/external Web). Event Videographer several years; Worked as a Certified Silver Sneakers Classic, Cardio, and Yoga Instructor for 4 years (up to 7 classes a week). Currently volunteering at Northeastern...

Kerry Cannell

Upland, California
United States

I started yoga in October 2012 after a friend told me how she had started going to yoga classes and felt so much better.  I’d really been struggling to keep up with a fitness regime that included 3-5 mile runs at least 3 times a week.  For several months I had been experiencing joint pain and very sore muscles after every run.  I loved exercise and particularly running.  I’d ran three marathons and even completed...

Janet Rosoff

Aventura, Florida
United States

I began this incredible journey of Chair Yoga Teacher Training 12 months ago with the goal of finishing by June. In April, when my accident occurred I was not sure I would teach again and or finish the training. As my recovery progressed, it became very clear to me that continuing with the training would not only benefit me with my healing but enable me to readily understand and relate to the many challenges specific...

Jane Musgrave

Chicago, Illinois
United States

Yoga was a way for Jane to deal with a pesky IT band while training for the 2000 Chicago Marathon. She flirted with yoga for the next several years before deciding to make it a permanent relationship. Jane completed a 200-hour teacher training with the Chicago Yoga Center in 2012. Jane specializes in Chair Yoga, and bringing yoga to people who would love to try it but are a bit intimidated to start. Don’t let...

Josee Madison

Columbia, South Carolina
United States

Born in Canada, this French and English speaking recovered workaholic from the corporate & fast pace music business world, turned happy military housewife, health conscious gluten-free home chef and RYT-200 Yoga instructor. Josee started her spiritual journey and Yoga studies in 2011 which took her around the world including living with Swamis in a Yoga Ashram in Tyrol, Austria and obtaining her certification in Sivananda Yoga. Josee’s interests also brought her to broaden her studies...

Judy D’Agostino

Derwood, Maryland
United States

I am a registered 200-hour (RYT 200) Yoga Alliance teacher. I believe that any person at any age can enjoy yoga as a path to developing strength, flexibility, balance, mental clarity and most importantly a sense of inner peace. l am committed to continued practice, training and teaching of yoga. It will always be a constant in my life.

Jeannette Brown

Pico Rivera, California
United States

Lucy Valente

Hazleton, Pennsylvania
United States

Lucy has been practicing yoga for 20 years and teaching for 7 years. Inspiration to pursue a Chair Yoga certification came from her chair yoga students who questioned, “Why Not?” . Chair yoga students are her most motivated and challenging. She continues her yoga education by attending classes, workshops, seminars and intensives whenever possible. Bringing the benefits of yoga to all who are interested at its most holistic level is her singular goal.

Gerry Hurtig

Parrish, Florida
United States

“Karma” introduced me to yoga or perhaps it was yoga to me.  While sitting at a café in 2012 with my wife, we were talking about ways to help reduce my stress brought on by the daily demands of the corporate world.  As I glanced over my shoulder I saw a sign advertising a yoga basics class starting later in the week.  I signed up immediately and never looked back as I found my life...

Donna Wasneski

Grand Junction, Colorado
United States

BS Biology, MA Special Education, additional PhD work University of Colorado Denver.

John Conroy

Ennis, Colorado
Republic of Ireland

John teaches to groups of Seniors throughout Ireland ages ranging from 64 -92. This is currently my weeks schedule , fitness4fun.ie presently exercises: 1 disability group – 20 Students 1 men”s shed Group – 20 Students 15 Senior Groups – 320 Students I don’t have a gym of my own so I travel throughout the County on a daily basis to rural areas with low levels of population to Community Halls where Students come once...

Karen Langevin

Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Colorado
Canada

Since becoming a 200 ­hour certified yoga teacher (CYT) with Yoga Ink in 2014, I have been offering gentle Hatha yoga classes in both English and French. I have also been teaching chair yoga along with Christian meditation since 2015. I am thrilled to be able to offer Hatha, chair and gentle yoga for « every­body ».

JoAnn Johnson

Hickory, North Carolina
United States

Yoga has been in my life for over ten years having been certified to teach at age 62. My yoga practice has kept my body strong and flexible. I enjoy teaching chair yoga as it provides all the benefits of a floor class; improves balance, strength, flexibility, and correct breathing.

Kim Wemer

Grinnell, Iowa
United States

Kim discovered yoga after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. She found it to be very healing during her recovery, and as an RN, she wanted to share yoga’s healing benefits, whether physical, emotional, or simply to manage the stress of a busy life. Kim’s classes are accessible to everyone. Her calm demeanor and balanced sequencing guide each of her students to be the best they can be, no matter where they are, and...

Liana Ables

Millstadt, Illinois
United States

This has been a dream of mine for many years. We are never too old to find our way.

Karen Roberts

Port Macquarie, Illinois
Australia

Karen is currently teaching yogalates at Sivana Bliss Studios, at Port Macquarie, U3A as well as gentle exercise at two local retirement villages.

Sherry Zak Morris

Vista, California
United States

CEO and Co-Founder of the Yoga Vista Academy. Sherry Zak Morris, the CEO and Co-Founder of Yoga Vista Academy, is a Certified Yoga Therapist with a remarkable history of empowering and kindling a passion for Yoga and wellness among the 50+ demographic. As a three-time presenter at the annual Yoga Alliance Conference, the premier professional and trade association in the yoga world, Sherry’s dedication to aiding those with mobility challenges has brought prominence to her...