Free Spirit Yoga - Yoga for Healthy Aging

02/20/2026

Join me and other yogis every Wednesday morning for online chair yoga. You can also try a class for free the last Wednesday of each month. The cost is $25 for the month - $6.25 per class and it includes a recording so you can repeat the class during the week. Send an email to melanie.freespirityoga@gmail.com to register.

02/18/2026

02/16/2026

This week we are focusing on yoga for healing, both physically and emotionally and we’ll even do a little qigong bouncing. If you are interested in joining one of our classes send me a text to try out a class for free during the last week of the month. You can try one or two or more classes.

01/27/2026

7 weeks ago today I was in surgery for my total knee replacement. Today, I taught my first Hatha Yoga class from the mat and although there were a couple of poses I didn’t attempt, for the most part I was able to lead the class through all of the poses including all of the standing poses.

I saw my surgeon on Friday and my knee could bend to 116’ - the expectation is to be able to bend it to 90’ at 6 weeks. I was able to walk without a cane and no limp and he gave me the thumbs up to begin teaching yoga again with a cautionary to be careful.

I know, without a doubt, that my yoga practice has kept me strong and flexible and allowed for my quick recovery. I am not saying I won’t have the odd day of discomfort but for all intents and purposes I am almost as good as new.

I have set two goals for myself:
1. to be able to do pigeon pose
2. to be able to hike with my daughters and granddaughters by
spring.

There are four physical skills we must maintain as we grow older so that we can remain healthy, strong and independent as we age: strength, flexibility, balance and agility. In every yoga class we address each of these skills and I invite you to join me and my yoga community to ensure you remain healthy and strong as you age. There are a number of classes to choose from including chair, floor stretching, flow and hatha so no matter whether you are a beginner or experienced yogi, there is a class for you.

Please check out my website at melanie-freespirityoga.com or simply email me at melanie.freespirityoga@gmail.com to sign up for one or more of our classes.

The picture below was taken today and I am balancing on my newly constructed right knee.

01/12/2026

This week will be 5 weeks since my knee replacement surgery and my 2nd week back teaching my online yoga classes. I am teaching all of my classes from a chair during my recovery, which can be a little daunting when teaching online, but it seems to be working flawlessly, almost, with just a few flubs!!!

I met with my physiotherapist for the first time two weeks ago at 3 weeks post surgery, and she told me she had never seen someone as advanced in their recovery as me at three weeks. I can only attribute that to my yoga practice. My osteoarthritis and meniscus tear had prevented me from walking any distance or doing any other similar type of activity before the surgery so yoga was my only fitness regimen. Interestingly I could do all of the yoga poses including the warrior poses and plank with no pain.

It is now 5 weeks post surgery and my leg is as strong as pre-surgery and my focus is on increasing my range of motion. At three weeks I could bend it to 102’ and I’m hoping when I go back tomorrow it will be bending to at least 110’. I have been warned that I won’t be able to regain full range of motion but I am optimistic that in time, and with the help of my yoga practice, I will, and I’ll be able to do my favourite pigeon pose again.

Yoga has provided me with many health benefits over the years but my recovery from knee surgery is one that I will be forever grateful for.

To join one of my yoga class please check out my website at melanie-freespirityoga.com and send an email to melanie.freespirityoga@gmail.com.