This month marks 18 years since I first began teaching adaptive yoga to people in assisted living communities. What started as a small offering has become a deep, lifelong calling—one that has transformed me as much as it’s supported those I’ve served.

Over nearly two decades, I’ve witnessed the incredible power of mindful movement, community connection, breathwork, and presence. I’ve seen how a simple chair yoga practice can bring light to someone’s eyes, offer relief from pain, or create a moment of true joy in the middle of a hard day. And in holding space for others, my own heart has found a kind of healing I never expected.

Especially in the past year—navigating multiple surgeries, physical limitations, and ongoing recovery—the foundation of service has kept me grounded. Even when I couldn’t teach in person, the energy of this work stayed alive through mentoring, podcasting, and online teaching. It reminded me that no matter our circumstances, we all have something to offer. Service doesn’t have to be big to be meaningful.

Benefits To Being of Service

There are so many benefits to being of service. It connects you to something bigger than yourself and creates a sense of purpose and belonging. It can ease anxiety, reduce stress, and even boost your mood. Research shows that acts of kindness release feel-good hormones like oxytocin, which support heart health and emotional resilience. Giving from the heart has a beautiful way of healing the heart.

What I’ve learned is this: Helping others is one of the most powerful ways to heal yourself. When you witness another’s resilience, you’re reminded of your own. When you offer compassion, it echoes right back into your own spirit. There is something sacred about showing up—for yourself and others—even when things are messy or uncertain.

So today, I celebrate this milestone not with fanfare, but with deep gratitude. For every student who has sat in a circle with me, every breath shared, every story held with tenderness—thank you. This path has shaped me, softened me, and given me purpose.

Here’s to many more years of mindful service. ?

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