Helena Bray is a Silver Age Yoga original and a beloved instructor who has been with us almost from the very beginning. A seasoned yoga instructor with a heart as expansive as her expertise, she has been weaving wellness and wisdom into the lives of seniors through her classes.
In our conversation with Helena, we explore her journey into the world of yoga, her experiences working with seniors, and the transformative effects she witnesses with SAYCO on a regular basis.
Q: Helena, it’s a pleasure to finally talk with you at length. I’ve heard your name come up quite a bit, and people always speak so highly of you. So, to kick things off, it’d be great to hear a bit about you—how did up get involved with SAYCO?
Helena: Well, I think the reason my name comes up so much is that I’m one of the teachers who have been around the longest. I would like to say I started this because I wanted to teach seniors and do good and help them. But the truth of the matter was that I had just finished my teacher training, and to become certified with Yoga Alliance, you had to do continuing education credits. Silver Age Yoga was just getting started, so they had a program set up that if you took the training and then taught for free at a senior center for so many weeks, you got the training free. I never intended to teach I was a caregiver at the time.
I was taking care of my mother, and I wanted to learn enough to do it by myself at home and not have to leave her to go to a class. So I never intended to teach, never ever. And I thought, well, this is a way I could get my CEUs for free, and the training was on Sunday afternoon when my husband could stay with my mother.
So it just worked, you know, it was like it was meant to be. So that’s how I got started. That was about 2004, and I think Silver Age first started, maybe 2003. So I was in at the very beginning. And at that time, they didn’t even have any training materials. We would get together on a Sunday afternoon, and Frank would usually bring in some kind of expert from the health field or someone in gerontology, and they would talk about the different issues that seniors would have.
Then, as agreed upon, I went to the Poway Senior Center to do my community service to pay for the class. And I got hooked. I took the training when I was in my 50s, so I was technically within that senior population. While taking care of my mother, I knew a lot of the issues of aging and was starting to experience that myself.
Q: What is it like teaching this demographic?
Teaching this population is just, it’s different. It’s hard to explain how it’s different because they’re at a different point in their lives, they’re not necessarily looking to strengthen the body and to do all of these exotic poses, but more or less, to just maintain strength and keep what they have. And the longer you practice, you find that what you’re really looking for is the magic in the stillness. And because there is a saying that, play until you can stay.
When you’re young, it’s all about movement and strength and getting the poses right. Over time, and with maturity, you start to discover that in the quiet, in the stillness, when you get into a pose, even if it’s a very simple pose, and you can just stay there and connect with your breath, it’s Magical.
You find peace, serenity, and contentment, and I think they really appreciate it. Some people will say it’s their best hour of the week. So, how could you not love that? When somebody says to you, “Well, you just gave me the best hour of my whole week!” How can you not feel good about that?
Q: That’s a fantastic compliment, indeed. The instructors truly deserve it, so I’m happy it’s being said. Regarding seniors and yoga, it’s challenging to pinpoint just one benefit, but what do you believe are some of the key advantages for them?
Helena: There is some form that’s accessible to everybody, and we hear it in the news media, we read it in the magazines: Motion is lotion, and movement is medicine. That’s it in a nutshell. Motion is lotion, and movement is medicine.
If you can find something that you enjoy doing, stick with that. And now, with Zoom, you don’t need to leave the house, get dressed, put on makeup, or do your hair. It’s so unintimidating.
It can sound intimidating if you’re 50 or 60 and have never done yoga, especially now when you see all these expensive yoga clothes and fancy studios. You can get the idea that you’re not qualified to do it. So I think it’s giving them that notion that they can do it. If you can move your arms and stretch your legs, that’s good. And that’s more approachable and attainable than some would think.
And you know, when yoga was developed, it was developed in India, where young, physically fit men were doing it, and that’s all they did. That was their life’s work to perfect these poses. And women weren’t even allowed to do it. So it’s evolved. I’ve been teaching for 20 years, and it’s changed. Even some of the asanas that were given to me as an instructor to teach, for example, are now saying, well, don’t do that because that’s not good for the back in the long run. It’s not good for the sacroiliac joint if you’re going to do it for They’re tempering all of those things that have been handed down from the ages to bring them to a more sedentary society,, shall we say?
I’m sure, just like anything else in the wellness field, that messaging is evolving, and it’s, “maybe don’t do that” or “actually do more of that.” The thing that we said that was bad to do? Actually, you should do that. It’s like drinking coffee. Remember, don’t drink coffee, and then now they’re finding, you know, a cup of coffee… It’s okay
Q: It’s fascinating to realize how accessible yoga can be for everyone, regardless of age or experience. With so many options out there, why would you recommend choosing SAYCO over others?
Helena: You know, now that’s a hard one to say because I think they’re all good. I think the one advantage of Silver Age Yoga is that they teach a fixed set of poses in many of the senior trainings. They have a fixed routine that they want their teachers to follow. Within Silver Age Yoga, they have allowed us to take the basics and teach in our own style.
Going to different Silver Age classes means you’ll get seven completely different things. Some are gonna be in the chair. I am probably the most gentle of anyone. I start on the floor Sometimes, I never get off the floor. Some will teach versions of warrior poses, which I never do. So they’re all different; they’re kind of allowed to develop it within the guidelines and safety. And I think that’s good because then we can look at who’s in the class and then decide what we will teach.
So that’s probably the biggest advantage: teachers are still given the basics and allowed to develop their own style, take their previous experience, and bring it with them. And I think also, you know, the support in the community that you have helps, too.
Q: That’s absolutely true. You can really feel the sense of community among the instructors, the board, and the students. I’ve noticed it in the time I’ve been working with you all. It’s really great. If you were to guide an instructor who’s new to teaching seniors, what would you recommend they understand about working with this demographic?
Helena: The magic lies in the little things. There’s nothing too small. I think sometimes, just the movement itself is beneficial. Even small movements are better than none without overdoing it or risking injury.
Q: That’s a valid point, indeed. Conversely, what would you like seniors to understand about yoga? It seems like there’s a reciprocal exchange of understanding between instructors and seniors in this regard.
Helena: I think seniors need to understand that yoga encompasses more than just physical exercise. If someone solely focuses on bodybuilding, they may not find long-term fulfillment. Yoga is a holistic practice that nurtures the mind, body, and spirit. While physical movement is important, the overall mind-body connection keeps people coming back for more.
And it won’t work out if you don’t have a positive attitude, regardless of your physical abilities. There are people out there who seem to have everything, yet they’re still stressed and anxious. It’s like looking at some celebrities who appear to have it all but still struggle with drugs and other issues.
Yoga provides comprehensive support for the body, mind, and spirit, leading to contentment—an invaluable sense of fulfillment. Happiness and contentment—I’ll take both any day. It’s not just for the young; it’s for everyone. Our society often pushes for more, more, more—more possessions, more money, more work—but it doesn’t necessarily prioritize contentment, joy, or being present in the moment. It’s always about moving on to the next big thing.
Q: There’s definitely beauty and contentment to be found. It’s about discovering that and being okay with embracing it. That’s what I’m learning, and it’s really valuable advice. I love that perspective. What would you consider the greatest reward for your work with SAYCO?
Helena: Well, of course, the greatest reward is when someone expresses that it’s the highlight of their week or that they eagerly anticipate the class. For me, it’s about sharing the stillness with my students. I feel genuinely fulfilled when the magic of synchronized breathing and tranquility occurs during savasana. It’s a sensation of genuine goodness that resonates within me. Yoga makes me feel good, and for me, there’s no better reason to practice. Despite not being particularly athletic or drawn to physical activities, yoga has transformed me—it simply makes me feel good.
Q: Looking ahead, as we venture into this new year, what are your hopes for SAYCO? Do you have any specific aspirations or goals in mind?
Helena: Well, I truly believe that new teachers will emerge, and I’d love to see more of them join our ranks. Additionally, I envision our program gaining national recognition, and spreading its reach throughout the state and beyond, especially with the flexibility of Zoom classes, which have no geographical constraints. There are numerous possibilities for online offerings, and I would love to see insurance companies or healthcare providers discovering and collaborating with us. I consistently mention our program to healthcare providers, as I believe they should inform their clients about it. I just find it hard to believe that more healthcare professionals working with the elderly aren’t advocating for our classes, especially considering the convenience of participating from home. It seems logical for senior centers to promote our classes, as they offer daily sessions tailored to different times and abilities, even if they aren’t physically hosting them. But yes, I hope to see greater awareness and recognition of what we have to offer.
