Has your balance and agility deteriorated and it's starting to prevent you from staying active? Do you suffer from arthritis, back pain, or Parkinson's disease? Yoga Therapy can help! Book a session with me to find out how Yoga Therapy can help you and your unique health challenges. Or attend one of my classes to join a community of people with similar challenges.
I am a Certified Yoga Therapist, PWR!Moves Instructor, and Corrective Exercise Specialist based in the Bay Area, California. PWR!Moves is an evidence-based exercise developed for people with Parkinson's disease by Dr. Becky Farley, a neuroscientist and physical therapist.
I am a Certified Yoga Therapist, PWR!Moves Instructor, and Corrective Exercise Specialist based in the Bay Area, California. PWR!Moves is an evidence-based exercise developed for people with Parkinson's disease by Dr. Becky Farley, a neuroscientist and physical therapist.
Services
Great for beginners but you will be challenged even if you are more advanced. We work on strength, flexibility, balance, posture, breathing, and meditation. Modifications provided so that everyone can benefit from the practices. I also incorporate some resistance training with bands to work on upper body strength and self-massage with Yoga Tune-Up balls.
Yoga has had an incredibly positive impact on my own life. It helped me release accumulated stress from my teenage years living in a household affected by mental illness and constant fighting. Yoga helped me understand the nature of the mind and how to work with it. We fear what we don't understand.
Improve your strength, flexibility and balance in one of my Aging Well with Yoga classes. I currently offer classes in Oakland and Piedmont. The class is designed to benefit people with different age related chronic conditions. We use props and modification so that everyone can take advantage of the therapeutic benefits of yoga.
When clients seek out a yoga therapist, they are usually coming to get help with or relief from some symptom or health condition that is troubling them. In most cases, the instruction focuses on their condition and how the yoga techniques can help them feel better or improve their function. Yoga is a great tool for healthy aging.
If you got a Parkinson's diagnosis, you don't have to despair. Research shows that the combination of medication and exercise can significantly improve your symptoms. Exercise might even slow down the progression of the disease. The important thing is to get informed, create your support team (neurologist, PT, speech therapist, movement coach, Parkinson's support groups, etc.) and start the right exercise regimen as soon as possible.
Reviews (4)
Rebecca D.
Oct 14, 2019
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I attend Petra's gentle yoga class at the downtown oakland seniors center on Friday's. No need to signup in advance, as everyone just shows up at the appointed hour (11am), signs in and makes a recommended donation of $5. Petra has a keen awareness of the movement challenges that older people tend to experience, and expertly guides the class into gentle movements to help with neck, back, hip and other "projects". I also appreciate that Petra never puts students on the spot by challenging them to do a pose or a stretch beyond their reach. She is knowledgeable, friendly, approachable
Sarah P.
Jan 17, 2019
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Petra has worked with my mother over the past months and has significantly helped improve balance, confidence and serenity. My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Corticobasal Syndrome. She has always been a yoga practitioner, though, with her progressive illness, was not able to attend and participate in classes. Petra came to our home and offered appropriate and tailored movement in a very welcoming and heart centered way. I am so impressed with her guidance and knowledge of working with seniors. Petra is a life force! Very kind, professional and great communicator. Thank you!
Joan E.
Nov 21, 2018
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I have tried yoga in several different venues. I kept trying because it sounded like something that would really benefit me. I wanted to like it, but I didn't. Until I found Petra. Her gentle demeanor, ability to assess my particular needs and teach me beneficial poses have been a gift to my life. Petra's experienced professionalism combined with her quiet compassion is calming and deeply appreciated.
J. L.
Oct 23, 2017
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I was looking for a beginning yoga class designed for older persons. Petra's class is perfect for me. Petra is a very good teacher, guides us through a series of poses which can be individualized to a person's ability, and she is kind and compassionate. I feel that my balance, flexibility, and body confidence have improved over time, and I always feel calm and mellow after her class.
