Gentle Yoga class helps housing residents live healthier
What can 30 minutes of deep breathing, stretching and quieting your mind accomplish? A lot, according to the experts who tout the health benefits of yoga, saying it improves everything from blood pressure and anxiety to overall physical fitness.
That’s exactly why Salvation Army social worker and fitness buff Kiiantes Todd (pictured above, leading the class) has brought a Gentle Yoga class to HOPE Harbor, a Salvation Army permanent-supportive housing complex in Minneapolis.
“This is a hands-on approach to healthy living,” Todd said. “Gentle Yoga is a great choice because it helps reduce inflammation and manage arthritis. By bringing it to our residents, we provide them an option without the expense of going to a gym.”
For thirty minutes, once a month, Todd leads the class through a series of gentle yoga poses, all set to soothing music.
“I think we should do it every week,” said Arleana, who recently had both knees replaced. “It felt so good to stretch and move.”
Another resident, Janet (pictured left), was surprised at how effective the simple movements were. “It was great – this was the first time for me doing yoga and I definitely felt the stretching” she said.
Having just returned from her sister’s funeral, Janet said she experienced an unexpected benefit as well. “Coming to this class helped me feel more relaxed after a very stressful week,” she explained.
Todd hears stories just like that after each class. “Some residents have even said yoga has helped them with things like anger and stress management,” he said.
And that is why he hopes to make Gentle Yoga and other wellness programs an even bigger part of life at HOPE Harbor.
“This is a way we can walk together with our residents in a new way,” Todd said. “It’s all about letting them know we care and helping to make their lives better.”
HOPE Harbor is a 96-unit facility that provides stable housing and case management to residents who deal with health issues or have been chronically homeless.
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