By MARIA DAX

Special to The Press

Parkland Garden Club’s April monthly meeting included a program of chair yoga designed to get everyone ready for time working in the garden.

Yoga instructor Prabha Sinha said chair yoga is a practice that is accessible to all.

“We should listen to our bodies and do what is comfortable,” she said.

Sinha reminded participants since we are always thinking about the past or what is to come, we are rarely aware of the present moment and yoga allows us to experience that.

The class began with relaxation, mindful breathing and sitting up straight with eyes lowered or closed.

Members were guided through gentle side bends and twists to stretch and strengthen muscles of the upper body.

Standing poses were done holding on to the side of the chair for support while lifting and lowering the legs.

“Tree pose” (one foot lifted and placed to the side of the opposite calf) was done to help with balance, as we all lose balance as we age.

Prabha ended the practice with a brief meditation and encouragement to think about for what we are grateful.

She reminded everyone when we are filled with gratitude there is no room for negativity.

Sinha completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training and had been an instructor for five years at West End Yoga Center, Allentown.

She is the founder of Mindful Child Initiative (theMCI.org), which has a goal to provide high-quality mindfulness programs promoting the mental and emotional health of children, and the adults who support them, across the Lehigh Valley.