numbers rose to 26 in a few months .
“ He was so well received , everyone who attended said they would continue ,” Hackett said . “ The reason is because he explains everything to do and the benefits of what you do .”
McDermott ’ s teaching style is to be plain in speech . He will tell you the exercise out loud , what he is doing and explain how it will help the seniors .
Certain exercises help with balance to prevent falls ( the number of times falls are mentioned is noticeable ). Other stretches build up muscle memory through repetition , so the body reacts quicker . Breathing exercises help with PTSD and sleeping issues . Strengthening the muscles and heart is to promote mobility . The attendees have reflected on those benefits .
“ It ’ s because of the breathing training he ’ s given us , strengthening the muscles in my diaphragm , that I ’ m able to hold a note longer without having to fade in and out ,” said attendee and choir singer Diana Sprott .
Another pleased participant is Betty Cotton who has been able to deal with a sciatic nerve issue since starting in November .
“ I used to go to physical therapy at least once a year , but I haven ’ t been back the past year ,” Cotton said . “ Essentially , I start most days without back pain .”
Another benefit that is not so obvious is the social connections made by regularly attending an event for your age group .
“ Very warm , open and receptive ,” Betty Nelson said . “ We don ’ t judge each other . Whatever you can do , we ’ re proud you can do it and see improvement .”
Improvement has been the goal of not just each yoga enthusiast in the audience , but the leadership as well . This can be as simple as updating an exercise due to feedback from regular surveys ( is it too difficult or not difficult enough , for example ). But the main goal this year was finding a big enough place to welcome everyone interested .
Hackett moved operations to the Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church , but soon found it was outgrowing the place as well .
“ The second time we met it was like , we can ’ t fit anybody else in here ,” said Hackett . “ It just didn ’ t work out because the parking lot was already full .”
This time , another board member , Polly Pittman , would bring the issue up with her church at First United Methodist .
“ I thought First United Methodist Church would let us use this facility , but I wasn ’ t sure because it always so busy ,” said Pittman . “ We ’ re a very active church . So , we spoke with Cass , who ’ s the sort of director of the campus , and she thought it was a wonderful idea .”
With the change in venue , membership has continued to climb to as high s 84 and averaging about 75 during each recent 2 p . m . session on Tuesdays and Thursdays . There is ample room for everyone to maintain distance while growing closer .
Feb . 10 was a special occasion for the yoga group . A widow whose husband was a World War II veteran had her folded flag damaged during a flood of her home . She had approached McDermott to refold the flag with the proper ceremony .
McDermott had memorized each fold and their meaning , reciting out loud as he and Hackett performed their Honor Guard duties in front of a crowd . Hackett presented the flag to the widow .
What had started out as just a trial run for the senior community has become a community on its own .
“ I thought I would just get the paperwork done to get started ,” said Hackett . “ Now , I cannot leave because it brings me so much joy to see everybody .”
HUNTSVILLE LIVING | FEBRUARY | MARCH 2022 | 7