During the past ten years Cynthia has realized that the body’s physical needs are continually changing. It is often important to become more meditative and spiritual and less active to regain lost energy do to stress, injury, or illness. There maybe several schools of yoga that positively benefit an individual at various times in their lives. Having been in the role of Program Director and independent Program Consultant for various health and fitness centers Cynthia has spent time analyzing the benefits these yoga schools could have for various special populations.

Ashtanga Yoga, for example is not suitable for people with arthritic stiffness, the severely overweight or anyone with a chronic pain syndrome. This form of Yoga is for athletes looking for a challege and other yoga students that are in good physical health open to experiencing a new approach. Integral and Kundalini Yoga on the other hand are good choices for indiviuals with chronic pain, arthritis and stress disorders. But even these more spiritual and breathwork based yoga styles may not work for obesity, those with a missing limb or scoliosis. Many severly overweight individuals find sitting comfortably on a floor nearly impossible. All of these identified special populations find greater support and privacy in the water. For these individuals there is Yoga Afloat®, a comprehensive aquatic yoga program that is suitable for people of all ages and most special needs. As with other yoga schools Yoga Afloat® has basic traditional standing postures as well as suspended, floating and wall assisted poses. For more on Yoga Afloat® click here.