Real Stories, Real Relief: How Our Members Manage Arthritis Through Movement
In honor of Arthritis Awareness Month, we took the time to speak with two of our beloved Soul Society members—Sara Shelley and Gail Clark—who have both found powerful ways to manage arthritis through yoga. Their stories are filled with wisdom, resilience, and hope. From modified poses and mindful movement to the deeper emotional and mental benefits of a consistent practice, these women show us that healing is possible—and that yoga can be a lifelong tool for strength, balance, and wellbeing.
Sara Shelley’s Journey
“A lifelong practice, always evolving.”
This week, we’re honored to spotlight Sara Shelly, who has been practicing yoga since 1996.
Sara
Meet Sara—a longtime yogi whose practice has evolved alongside her life. From prenatal yoga to gentle yin, her journey shows how tuning in to your body and trusting your path can offer powerful relief, even when arthritis shows up unexpectedly. Her strength lies in her willingness to adapt, stay curious, and keep showing up
Sara’s journey into yoga began after the birth of her son—not because of arthritis, but because she was looking for something meditative that supported both her body and mind. Over the years, she’s taught prenatal and postnatal yoga, worked with infertility patients, and continued exploring yoga as her body and life evolved.
Sara’s arthritis primarily affects the thumb joints in her hands, flaring up on and off since 2013. At first, she managed symptoms with rest, icing, and staying active—but it was yoga that truly changed things. Over time, yoga helped her regain flexibility, build stamina, and most importantly, find safe, empowering ways to move without aggravating her joints.
“Safety is always a priority,” she says. In the past, Sara modified handstands and backbends using her fists instead of flat palms, and over the years, she learned how to adjust her practice with the help of skilled instructors and thoughtful props like wrist wedges and forearm modifications.
Discovering yin yoga was a game changer. It gave her hands a break while still providing deep, healing movement for the rest of her body. Since joining Soul Society, Sara has found a home in the community and credits regular classes with helping improve her circulation, strength, and overall wellbeing.
Yoga has supported Sara far beyond just her joints. She also credits practices like yoga nidra, meditation, and breathwork with improving her sleep, managing stress, and helping her feel more balanced in daily life.
Her advice for others exploring yoga with arthritis?
“The beautiful thing about yoga is it grows with you. There are so many varieties of practice—there’s truly something for everyone. Modify, adjust, and make it your own. And never be afraid to ask questions.”
Sara also emphasizes the importance of a clean diet, hydration, and consistency in supporting joint health—and most of all, listening to your body and choosing teachers and classes that make you feel safe and supported.
We are so grateful for Sara’s presence in our studio and for sharing her story. She’s a beautiful example of how yoga can evolve with you—and continue offering relief, resilience, and renewal at every stage of life.
Gail Clark’s Story
“Yoga met me where I was—and showed me where to go.”
This week, we’re also honored to feature Gail, who began practicing yoga just a few years ago and has found it to be an unexpected and powerful source of relief.
Gail
This is Gail—whose story is a beautiful example of how movement can become medicine. She didn’t know she had arthritis until yoga helped her tune in. Now, she embraces her practice as a tool for physical strength, mental clarity, and everyday confidence.
Gail was first introduced to yoga through her meditation community, where yoga was often referenced as a natural complement to mindfulness. Not a fan of the gym or competitive fitness environments, she turned to online yoga classes and began exploring gentle movement on her own terms.
What she didn’t expect was that yoga would actually help her uncover her arthritis. Through becoming more attuned to her body, Gail began to notice discomfort and limitations in her mobility—signals she had previously overlooked. Yoga helped her recognize that something deeper was going on, and ultimately led her to seek a medical evaluation that confirmed arthritis in her hip and wrists.
“Yoga helped me get in tune with my body—it showed me something wasn’t right,” Gail shares.
While she initially tried physical therapy, she found yoga to be more holistic. It offered flexibility, strength-building, and a gentle environment where she could explore movement without fear of overexertion. She credits Soul Society’s instructors for cultivating a space where students are encouraged to listen to their bodies and move mindfully, not push through pain.
“Yoga gave me the grace to push when I could and back off when I needed to,” she says.
Props have played a key role in her practice—especially wrist tools like yoga grips, which help her manage arthritis in her wrists and relieve pressure in poses that require weight-bearing on the hands.
Beyond physical relief, yoga has transformed every aspect of Gail’s wellbeing. Her blood pressure and breathing have improved, her confidence has grown, and her mental health has become more grounded and resilient. She says it’s one of the most supportive things she’s done for her overall wellness.
To others living with arthritis and unsure where to begin, Gail encourages exploring different types of classes—including chair yoga and gentle movement.
“Movement is essential. Yoga supports my physical and mental health. There’s a version of it for everyone.”
Gail’s story is a beautiful reminder that yoga isn’t about perfection—it’s about paying attention, moving with care, and discovering strength and healing in ways you didn’t expect.
We’re so grateful to have Gail as part of our Soul Society community.
Finding Strength in Community
Sara and Gail’s stories remind us that yoga is so much more than movement—it’s a path toward healing, resilience, and connection. Whether you’re managing arthritis, recovering from injury, or simply looking for a gentler way to stay active, there’s a practice that can meet you exactly where you are.
At Soul Society, we’re honored to walk alongside so many individuals finding relief, balance, and strength through mindful movement. If their stories inspired you, we invite you to explore our gentle, joint-friendly classes, connect with our caring instructors, and discover what’s possible when you move with intention.
Your journey is your own—but you don’t have to do it alone.