- 1). Look for an instructor who is qualified to teach a yoga class for older adults, especially those who may have health problems or have suffered previous injuries. You should choose someone familiar with the changes individuals undergo with age, particularly how getting older can affect one’s ability to exercise.
- 2). Talk to other seniors who may have taken yoga classes with a particular instructor. Find out if the instructor expected too much from older students. Don’t be afraid to ask for references. Contact your local senior center for a referral to a qualified yoga instructor who has experience working with seniors.
- 3). Ask for credentials. The instructor should not only have the proper basic certification for teaching yoga, but should have special training in working with seniors as well. Inquire as to how many older students the instructor has worked with in the past. Certified yoga instructors are required to have a minimum of 200 hours of training. Many good yoga instructors have 500 hours or more of training.
- 4). Interview the instructor and find out if he or she understands that not everyone may be able to manage all the poses. Don’t let the instructor insist that all students attempt certain postures or poses, which could injure a senior or cause him to lose his balance. Students should be allowed to work at their own pace and fitness level even when receiving one-on-one instruction.
- 5). Avoid instructors who may offer advice in too many different areas. No one is an expert in everything, and yoga offers varying styles and interpretations as it is. Unless the yoga instructor is a licensed physical therapist, he or she should never try to physically reposition a student, as it increases the risk for injury.
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