When Shannon Radford steps into a yoga studio, she is thinking far beyond a single class. As the Director of Wellness for Presbyterian Village North (PVN), Shannon sees an opportunity to give residents a deeper way to move, breathe and find balance.
This year she began a 200 hour Yoga Alliance teacher training through Yoga Dana in Wylie made possible through the Curtis and Patricia Meadows Scholarship Program. The Meadows Scholarship helps PVN teammates grow their education and bring new skills back to the community.
For Shannon, the training is more than a professional milestone. It is a seven-month immersion rooted in ancient teachings and grounded in modern wellness. The curriculum blends yoga philosophy, breathwork, meditation, anatomy, ritual and holistic practices. It is an experience designed to help participants remember who they are at their core and learn how to guide others toward that same sense of awareness.
As PVN has grown and welcomed more residents seeking mindful movement and restorative practices, Shannon has seen a clear need for expanded yoga offerings. “I have noticed growing interest from residents who want classes that go beyond stretching and exercise,” she said. “This certification will help me create deeper and more intentional yoga and meditation experiences that support their physical and emotional wellbeing.”
Two yoga classes are already underway for independent living residents including a higher level class on Tuesdays at 10:45 AM. Residents say they are feeling stronger, more flexible and more grounded as they explore movement connected to breath.
“Shannon giving real yoga instruction is a major highlight to living here! She provides a rhythm that intertwines ease and effort that makes her yoga practice a true workout! I am grateful for her providing us with a life-giving yoga practice!” Dr. Elizabeth Ritz, PVN resident and Yogi, shared.
Once Shannon completes her program later this month, she will be certified to teach each of the following four types of yoga that offer unique benefits for older adults:
- Hatha yoga supports seniors through gentle movements, posture work, breathing and meditation that improve physical and cognitive function.
- Yin yoga offers deep stretching and long held poses that help keep joints mobile and connective tissues healthy.
- Vinyasa yoga provides active seniors with flowing sequences that build strength, balance and grace.
- Yoga Nidra invites the body into deep rest while keeping the mind aware, helping reduce anxiety and tension.
The impact of yoga on healthy aging is well documented. It helps reduce fall risk, improves flexibility, supports bone health, eases chronic pain and benefits the heart. Beyond the physical, yoga is linked to brighter moods, reduced stress, better sleep and sharper cognition. For seniors seeking independence and vitality, it can be a transformative tool.
“Many people see yoga as just getting in specific positions and holding them. Real Yoga classes are about motion and flow and they have to be structured so that there is a smooth transition from one pose to the next. Shannon has done a superb job of the flow in her classes. And instead of doing the same thing every class, she adds variation and changes the flow. These things have made the Yoga classes at PVN into top quality Yoga classes that will enhance the lifestyle and fitness experience here at PVN,” Sam Crowley, PVN resident and Yogi, said.
Earlier this year, PVN saw firsthand how meaningful restorative practices can be. A floating sound bath experience drew a large crowd and sparked growing interest in meditation, breathwork and mind-body wellness across the campus. Shannon sees her certification as a way to build on that momentum and bring a deeper sense of care to the community.
She plans to use her training across the continuum of care offering new opportunities for residents at every stage to strengthen their bodies, calm their minds and thrive in ways that feel personal and attainable. Throughout her training, Shannon carries a commitment to creating classes and experiences that feel safe, thoughtful and rooted in tradition. Most of all, she is excited to help residents discover what yoga can unlock for them.
“It is important to me that every resident has a chance to find a practice that meets them where they are and supports the life they want to live,” she said. “Yoga gives us space to breathe, move and reconnect with ourselves. I want to bring more of that to our community.”
As of December 2025, the program has awarded a total of $71,299 in scholarships, with $30,070 awarded this year alone. Forty-nine scholarships have been distributed to 35 teammates, all from PVN. An anonymous PVN resident is even contributing to the program’s success in memory of her husband who loved education, adding an especially meaningful touch to its mission. The Curtis and Patricia Meadows Scholarship program is administered by the Forefront Living Foundation.
