MOVE, STRETCH, BREATHE

Senior yoga instructors help older adults stay active and strong through the pandemic

Winning at the game of love

In late December, there was an ownership transition of Atlanta Senior Life and its parent company, Springs Publishing. The new owner and publisher is Keith Pepper, an Atlanta native who has deep roots in the community. Keith has pledged to continue to operate the company with a focus on being present in civic, corporate and cultural events across Metro Atlanta.

Even against the strong headwinds facing journalism (and newspapers in particular), the hyperlocal media space continues to thrive, delivering the type of relevant journalism that is essential to a functioning society and a vibrant community. Providing consistent, reliable news and information while growing a viable print media business requires engaged local ownership.

As regular readers of Atlanta Senior Life know, Springs Publishing founder/ owner Steve Levene built a successful group of local papers by staying focused on the communities they serve. The Springs family includes Atlanta Senior Life as well as the four Reporter Newspapers and Atlanta Intown. These publications are produced by a committed and talented staff of journalists, designers and sales executives.

Since 2016, Atlanta Senior Life has been the go-to source for metro Atlanta’s dynamic active seniors, who live, work and play in some of the most influential neighborhoods and cities. Our readers have come to rely on our journalists to know what’s happening: from profiles of well-known locals to continuing education opportunities and the latest on where to take your grandkids to impress them (and everything in between).

By producing high-quality products that reach coveted audiences, local advertisers have been able to grow their businesses using simple but effective marketing plans to connect with their neighbors. It’s because of these engaged constituencies that Atlanta Senior Life has been able to survive so many changes in the industry. The plan going forward is to lean into this market leadership and continue to cover the stories that are meaningful to our community and to do it in fun, engaging and nonsensational ways.

Continue to look for us around town, but also please connect with us on social media. Spread the word: we’re all in this together. While our names may be on the masthead, we want this to be your paper as well! Please reach out with feedback or questions to publisher@springspublishing.com.

Atlanta Senior Life focuses on the interests, accomplishments and lifestyles of the active senior population in metro Atlanta. It aims to inspire readers to embrace a more rewarding life by informing them of opportunities to expand their horizons, express their talents and engage in their community.

By Kathy Dean

Frani Green found yoga in 1985 and felt the calling to teach it in 1993. The 60-year-old has a background in theater and dance. She has studied different styles of yoga and has earned several certifications.

Through the years, she has instructed people of all sizes and shapes, and at all levels of ability. “I’ve taught deaf people, blind people, kids, teens, young people, old people and people with disabilities....so all people,” she said.

“The benefits of yoga are different for different people,” Green explained. “I teach yoga to seniors for strength, balance and overall wellness. This practice is paramount to our health, especially as we age, to keep our hips, knees and core strong.”

She said that one of her students is 76 and has been practicing yoga with Green for 20 years. “Another student is 89 and has been with me two years,” she said.

Yoga is something that’s often recommended for older adults. It can help strengthen muscles and allow practitioners to become more focused and flexible. This is especially important to prevent dangerous falls.

YogaJournal.com lists some of the many other benefits of yoga, including increasing core strength and improving circulation. In fact, several organizations that focus on the health of older adults recommend yoga. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) has articles and links on its website to help seniors get started, with beginner poses, Chair Yoga and even Wheelchair Yoga.

A 2019 article on the SilverSneakers site notes, “Research shows a regular [yoga] practice not only improves balance and mobility in older adults, but it may also help ease back pain, relieve depression, and even reduce blood pressure for people with hypertension.”

Throughout the Atlanta area, there are yoga studios