September is National Yoga Month

National Yoga Month: Celebrating Two Unique Approaches to Chair Yoga at Senior Fitness Wit Toi’

September is National Yoga Month, and at Senior Fitness Wit Toi’, we’re celebrating two incredible instructors who remind us that yoga doesn’t have to look—or feel—the same for everyone.

Brittany, affectionately known as Rou of RouYoga, and Portia Baskerville-Johnson each bring their own personality, philosophy, and approach to Chair Yoga, giving our members opportunities to experience this ancient practice in ways that support both body and mind.

RouYoga: Creating Space for Restoration

Rou brings a calming, restorative energy to her Chair Yoga classes, incorporating elements such as sound bowl therapy to create an experience that extends beyond physical movement.

Her classes invite participants to slow down, breathe intentionally, stretch, release tension, and connect with their bodies. The addition of sound creates an atmosphere that encourages relaxation and mindfulness—something that can be especially meaningful in lives that don’t always give us permission to simply be still.

Rou reminds our members that wellness isn’t always about doing more. Sometimes, it’s about creating space to breathe, restore and reconnect.

Portia: Building Strength From the Chair

Portia Baskerville-Johnson brings another dimension to Chair Yoga at Senior Fitness Wit Toi’—one grounded in strength, stability and purposeful movement.

Portia’s approach demonstrates that “chair” does not mean “easy.” Her classes incorporate yoga movements that encourage participants to build strength while working within their individual abilities.

And Portia holds a particularly special place within our SFWT family: she is not only an instructor, but also a member of Senior Fitness Wit Toi’.

She understands our community from both sides of the chair.

As a participant herself, Portia brings firsthand appreciation for the importance of staying active, maintaining strength and continuing to challenge ourselves as we age. As an instructor, she gets to share that experience with others.

Different Approaches. One Shared Purpose.

What we appreciate most about Rou and Portia is that neither tries to make Chair Yoga fit into a single box.

One class may invite you to breathe deeply, quiet your mind and experience the soothing vibrations of a sound bowl.

Another may have you discovering muscles you didn’t realize you were going to use that day!

Both belong here.

That is part of what “Movement as Medicine” means at Senior Fitness Wit Toi’. Movement can help us become stronger. It can improve balance and mobility. It can create opportunities for mindfulness and connection. And most importantly, it can be adapted so that more people have an opportunity to participate.

Chair Yoga helps make the benefits of yoga more accessible to older adults and individuals who may prefer or need additional stability and support. And instructors like Rou and Portia show our members that accessible movement can still be intentional, engaging and uniquely their own.

Celebrating Our Instructors During National Yoga Month

This National Yoga Month, Senior Fitness Wit Toi’ proudly celebrates Brittany “Rou” of RouYoga and Portia Baskerville-Johnson for sharing their gifts with our community.

Thank you, Rou, for reminding us of the importance of slowing down, breathing and restoring.

Thank you, Portia, for reminding us that strength can be built at every age and from every starting point.

And thank you both for helping our members continue to move with purpose, build community and live stronger, longer.

We appreciate you both!

Happy National Yoga Month from Senior Fitness Wit Toi’!