Yoga for Seniors

yoga for seniors yoga with hearing aids

I’ve long-resisted writing an article with the title “Yoga for Seniors.” Why?

Because it implies that we have to alter the yoga practice for someone because of their age and “ability.” What the heck does that mean? In the world of Avita Yoga, these two characteristics have no bearing at all. Avita meets every student in precisely the right “place,” regardless of age or ability! It’s not uncommon to see a young man (late ’20s or so) struggling in a class surrounded by students in their 50’s, 60’s and 70’s! How could that be?

Most of the yoga today focuses on getting better at yoga. The premise is that if I can get better at doing yoga and make the “poses” look better, then someday the magic will happen, and I’ll feel better. It puts the benefits into the distant future, and yoga happens here and Now (Yoga Sutra 1.1). Avita Yoga takes this to heart, and we use the yoga shapes to reveal the restrictions and the patterns that work against us. We reduce the forms to the lowest common denominator that reveals the problem no matter who you are! Age is irrelevant, and if you don’t believe that, then please try a class! 

yoga for seniors avita yoga is great for all types even those with gray hair

Now some people will say, “Why do I want to know where the problem is? I know where the problem is, and I’ve been trying to get rid of it for years!” To this, I say, the problem and the pain are rarely in the same place. We use doable yet potent shapes to lead us closer to the problem where the time and healing compression quickly begins to resolve the issue. The result is more freedom and mobility. 

“Yoga for seniors” does not work because it takes a pose-driven practice with the wrong goal and waters it down to make it easier to accomplish.

Think about it. It makes sense, but it doesn’t work. It doesn’t really even work for those who can because they are pushing their bodies into extreme shapes. The loose parts get looser, while the patterns and problems remain hidden only to reveal themselves decades later. Such is life, but if we slow down and truly ask for a better way, it will be given. 

According to some measurements (and the mail I get these days), I’m a senior citizen. Yoga has been my life since age 20, and I’ve seen it all and tried most of it. I founded Yoga Loft and later Avita Yoga as a way to safely and confidently take care of the many who would benefit from yoga the most, regardless of their age and ability. It’s worked very well for me, and I’d like to show you how well it can work for you–either in person or online. 

Jeff Bailey
owner Yoga Loft 
founder Avita Yoga
creator AvitaOnline

Yoga Pants

Yoga Pants, If you forgot your "yoga clothes" and all you have on is your jeans and a button-down shirt, don't let it deter you! Make them yoga jeans and come to class, especially if it's Yin or Avita Yoga.

I’m asked about clothing for yoga often enough; I decided to write about it. There’s a difference between being truly comfortable and wearing something you are “supposed to.” Some of you, however, are most comfortable wearing what you are “supposed to” and I’m not sure how to address that 🙂 

Yoga Pants, Jeff Bailey shares whatever pants you wear will be your yoga pants


Yoga pants? Yoga leggings? Yoga Shorts?

If you forgot your “yoga clothes” and all you have on is your jeans and a button-down shirt, don’t let it deter you! Make them yoga jeans and come to class, especially if it’s Yin or Avita Yoga. At Yoga Loft you will be accepted as you are. Dress how you like and show up as you are. If yoga is about discovering authentic Self, then the care and concern for outer appearances will only delay your real inner progress. 


We have classes that you can do in the comfort of your own home, whatever pants you wear will be your yoga pants. In Avita Yoga, we emphasize the road less travelled by–the inner one.  External requirements, especially those that are self-imposed, will only delay the inner journey. 


Dress how you please and show up as you are!

Perhaps this has been one of the benefits of Covid isolation. We’ve become comfortable with ourselves. Before Covid, were you aware of how “accountable” the outer world made you? If there is anything we can take away from the isolation, it’s the peace that comes with not having to live up to someone else’s standards. Dress for happiness; for happiness is success! 

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Show us your face — share your space!

Show us your face -- share your space

How is your at-home yoga practice going?–We would like to see you.

We know you are enjoying your Avita Yoga Online practice and while we can simulate a studio by having other participants in the videos we are sharing with you…we miss SEEING your beautiful face – so we would like to  create a visual experience of the Avita Yoga Online community by posting your pictures of your virtual  yoga practice.

Here’s how – take a picture and post it on Facebook and TAG Avita Yoga (@AvitaYoga). Your picture will be featured on our Facebook Page in the community photos and will help to create that visual community experience that we are all missing. And, each week, one lucky person posting a photo will be selected to receive one month free of Avita Yoga Online.

Join the Avita Yoga Online Community: https://www.facebook.com/avitayoga/community/

Building community and connection is critical during this time of isolation. Help us see how you are doing and join the Avita Yoga Online community visually. We can’t wait to SEE all of you. Take a picture today of your Avita yoga practice, post it on Facebook and TAG Avita Yoga (@AvitaYoga).

To “TAG” Avita Yoga, you have to “LIKE” the @AvitaYoga Facebook page if you don’t already.

So… ready? Let’s start connecting visually and strengthen our connections globally.