When Phyllis Jobes worked as a nurse, she offered end-of-life care to terminally ill patients. Now, the soon to be 67-year-old woman offers seniors an opportunity to heal and revitalize their bodies and minds through yoga.

Although not specifically designed for senior citizens, the yoga classes Jobes and her daughter Cathleen offer at The YOMA Room in Jefferson Township are often attended by seniors who seek gentle stretching and relaxation.

Jobes said seniors can reap a wide variety of physical and mental benefits from practicing yoga. "It helps them keep their range of motion, helps their balance. And there is a lot of mental exercise," she said. "It's about being in touch with your body. It also improves concentration and focus."

Among the other physical benefits are stronger muscles, better circulation and lower blood pressure through stress relief. Because yoga is a weight-bearing program, it is also beneficial for preventing and managing osteoporosis, Jobes noted.

Jane Collins, a physical therapist and director of rehabilitation services at Butler Memorial Hospital, agrees.

"Yoga is considered a somewhat alternative form of exercise. Like tai chi, it has a lot to offer an aging population in terms of maintaining their fitness and flexibility and overall health," Collins said.

Collins also pointed to range of motion and muscle flexibility as factors in preventing falls, a growing concern as people age.

It's a nice chance for socialization," Collins added. "A lot of people as they get older tend to get more isolated."

Francine Michaels of Millerstown, Allegheny County, credits yoga with speeding her recovery from hip replacement surgery two years ago.

"I was into yoga before my surgery, thank God," she said. "Two months later, I was back into yoga. My surgeon thought it was just wonderful what it did for me. I recommend this to anyone who has had a replacement."

Jobes said one misconception about yoga is "that you have to twist up like a pretzel."

"This type of yoga is one that I can even to teach someone in a hospital bed. A person can be in any stage of health or stage of life," she said.

Yoga participant Barbara Noah of Penn Township, a retired nurse and business owner, said, "It has noting to do with physical ability or age. Anybody at any level of physical ability can do some form of yoga."

In fact, Jobes, a certified instructor, has taught with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Reversing Heart Disease Program, which works with heart patients in the areas of stress management, muscle strength and self awareness.

Yoga has also made a difference for Diane Givan of Cabot. Diagnosed with scoliosis and osteoporosis, she has been attending yoga classes for more than three years.

"I have never stayed with an exercise program this long. I am not an exercise person," she said. With yoga, she noted, "I am getting excellent results."

When Givan's doctor insisted she participate in weight-bearing exercise for her osteoporosis, "that was difficult to do because of the scoliosis."

She said a friend asked her to try yoga. She continued; the friend did not. "I went with my friend, but she never went back. She went on to other things. It's not a highly intense, competitive, sports-focused activity. This is something that you do for you. It doesn't matter what anyone else is doing."

Givan said she measures results in practical ways.

"We use 50-pound salt blocks for our water softener. There was a time when no way could I lift one of those, and now I can," Givan said.

Michaels, who with husband Ed, operates Mountain Top Campground in Tarentum, and also has a bluegrass and gospel band, relishes the relaxation component of yoga in addition to the physical benefits.

"For someone who lives a very, very stressful life, I can't say enough for it for relieving stress.

"Meditation is the answer," she noted, but added, "It's not a religion. Contrary to what everybody thinks, it is not a religion; it is not a cult. It is for people who want to take care of their body and mind."