Yoga for the Elderly

"Yoga teachers should adapt yoga to the individual, not the individual to yoga."

Keeping these words of my teacher, T.K.V. Desikachar, in mind, I entered the Senior Center of Mount Zion Hospital in San Francisco. The director led me to a room where about thirty seniors anxiously awaited my presentation on yoga.

As I walked in, my shoulders collapsed, my heart started beating fast and I had to take a deep breath. The scene was not encouraging. I had previously worked with people in their late fifties and early sixties. But what could I possibly do for these frail seniors, most of whom were in their late seventies and eighties?