On Christmas Eve, a group of nine dedicated seniors braved piled-up snow and icy roads from the previous day's storm to make it in to yoga class at the Genoveva Chavez Community Center.

Instructor Lisa Gulotta put on some relaxing Native American flute music as the students got settled. Some rolled out their yoga mats and did stretches while others hurried in and took off their shoes and quickly set up their mats.

"Did anybody have to drive yesterday?" Gulotta asked. After a few moans and grumbles from the students complaining about the weather, she agreed. "I got pretty intimate with my snow shovel, too."

After a few laughs, Gulotta began.

"Take a deep breath in," she instructed. As the class exhaled, they made sounds that only come from the very relaxed.

She proceeded to show her students some yoga movements for stretching and building muscle. After each pose, she would go around and fix students' forms when necessary.

"That's OK — no judgment," Gulotta said if they did something wrong.

That's what seniors have to look forward to with these yoga classes: exercise with no judgment. Gulotta said it's important for seniors to get exercise to work on their balance, which can help avoid a fall and help build strength so if they do fall, they heal faster.

It helps with more than just strength, said Chip Connay, who has been taking yoga classes for more than a year.

"I have arthritis and it's very good for that," Connay said after the hour-long class was over. "I'm also a real active hiker, so it keeps me flexible for that. It keeps me strong and in tune with my body."

Carol Murphy, a schoolteacher, started taking classes during her summer break. She was grateful to make the morning Christmas Eve class because she had been going to a later class.

"Since I'm a teacher, I'm unable to make this class but I do an evening class only once a week," Murphy said.

She has seen various improvements in her health since starting yoga.

"I feel much stronger. My core is much stronger and it's obvious," Murphy said. "My posture is much better; I'm standing straighter. I feel more energy going into me as I breathe."

She said in addition to all that, she is more flexible since she's been taking the class.

The senior yoga class starts at 9:45 a.m. Wednesdays, which is Senior Dollar Day from 8 a.m. to noon.

For more information, call the Genoveva Chavez Community Center at 955-4000.

"The beauty of yoga is that with the use of props or modification of asana (yoga poses), it is adaptable to all populations with different physical abilities," Gulotta said. "The benefits for seniors are the same as for the general population — increased strength, flexibility, balance and lung capacity. With a consistent practice it can help to lower blood pressure, sleep better, aide in digestion and manage stress.

"It is a magical discipline that I encourage everyone to try."

Contact Ana Maria Trujillo at atrujillo@sfnewmexican.com.