Board member Claire Breedlove has been talking with the students from PYC's People with Disabilities and Chronic Condition classes. Please read the articles or click on the links below to listen to our students answer a bunch of questions about what their yoga classes mean to them.
Q&A: with PYC Student Patricia Edith
We thought you would enjoy hearing directly from our students about the benefits of our classes, especially in the current virtual class environment.
Q: What brought you to PYC?
A: In 1997, I developed thoracic outlet syndrome, had to leave my job, and couldn’t even feed myself. I was in lots of pain and on disability. I tried occasional yoga classes but always ended up having a flare up. Then someone suggested a restorative yoga class, and I got a recommendation for JoAnn.
Q: How long have you been attending PYC classes?
A: 3 years. I really trust JoAnn and the assistants. The staff always help me find different ways of doing things.
Q: What do you think are the main benefits of the classes?
A: I love the community, feel so much better, and can do lots of things I used to not be able to do. For example, I couldn’t turn my head to the left before, and now I can.
Q: How have you handled the transition to Zoom classes?
A: I’m glad I have a sense of the class from having been taking classes for a while. I know what I can and can’t do, and I’m not afraid of hurting myself anymore. It’s also kind of nice not to have to drive to Piedmont Ave. I think the breathing in class helps us in the pandemic.
Q: What’s your favorite thing you have learned from PYC classes?
A: Bending from the hips. I do a lot of gardening, and I’ve learned to bend in a way that doesn’t hurt my back. I’ve also learned to improve my posture by opening my heart.
Q: What’s your advice for someone new to PYC?
A: Try it. It’s kind of amazing. You’ll get a really good workout plus people really care about you and care that you don’t hurt yourself. The staff care that there are ways you can adapt. There is an acceptance of people with disabilities and of people’s bodies being different. It is great that people can get the exercise they need without having to look a certain way.
Interview with PYC Student Joel Bernstein
Check out Joel’s conversation with PYC Board Member Claire Breedlove here.
Interview with PYC Student Ramona Arellano
Check out Ramona’s conversation with PYC Board Member Claire Breedlove Video Link or for audio only.
