By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Weekly yoga classes, available Sundays in Marion and Wednesdays in Hillsboro, can help seniors develop muscle tone, flexibility, and balance, as well as stay active. The classes also help both sides of the brain work together better and increase lung capacity, the instructor said.

Yoga instructor Leslie Beery has taught yoga classes 3½ years through Marion and Hillsboro recreation departments. Good for people of all ages, Beery’s classes draw participants from 7 to 75 years old.

She has also taught modified yoga in Hillsboro for about a year. Several people had asked Hillsboro recreation department for a modified yoga class, so Beery agreed to teach one. She said the modified yoga program has been popular and draws Marion residents.

In modified yoga, participants never do exercises that require them to be on the floor. Instead, exercises are done seated or standing.

Modified yoga classes at Hillsboro are from 7:15 to 7:45 p.m. Wednesday and enrollment is for six week periods.

Hour-long regular yoga class for all levels follows from 8 to 9 p.m.

“I do have a few who are over 50,” Beery said. “It depends on fitness levels.”

Beery said the she tailors the evening’s exercises to suit people who attend.

“I never have my class planned out,” Beery said. “I wait and see who shows up that night.”

Hillsboro classes are held in the northwest room of city hall. Yoga mats can be rented for $1 a class.

Marion yoga classes are offered at 5 p.m. Sundays at the community center.

“I don’t have a modified class in Marion right now,” Beery said.

She would offer a modified class if about six participants wanted one.

Her Marion class is for participants of all ages and skill levels, Beery said. Although the current session ends in two weeks, another session will begin after spring break.

“We have some amazing people that come,” she said. “They enjoy the class and they feel so good when they’re done.”

Anyone interested in trying out yoga classes can contact the Marion or Hillsboro recreation departments or visit the “Marion County Yoga” page on social media.

“We usually offer the first class free, so if you want to try it out, you can do that,” Beery said.