Updated August 25, 2025 11:35AM

In a quiet cul-de-sac in South Bend, Indiana, a unique yoga community has blossomed. For the past eight summers, neighbors have gathered each Sunday evening in a driveway, drawn together by the inclusive and accessible chair yoga classes led by 71-year-old Marian Hall.

“It just brings people together,” says Hall. “They talk before class, hang around afterward, maybe even have a glass of wine. You get to know people in a way you wouldn’t or else.”

Hall’s summer driveway yoga sessions have become a cherished tradition, fostering movement and connection among neighbors, many of whom are in their 70s and 80s. Classes feature a blend of seated and standing poses, with chairs and even the occasional garage door providing support. The only requirement? Come as you are.

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(Photo: self” class=”text-primary underline hover:text-primary/85 underline-offset-[3px]” data-afl-p=”0″ href=”https://www.yogajournal.com/poses/tree-pose-2/”>Tree Pose. “It helps with balance, which is vital as we get older,” she explains. she also encourages students to embrace challenging poses. “I asked everyone to tell me which yoga poses they liked the least. Then,we focused on those tough poses because trying the hard things helps us grow. I wanted everyone to know that doing your best is what really matters, not being perfect.”

(Photo: Rich Hall)

For Hall, the benefits extend beyond physical movement. She values the connection and sense of belonging that yoga fosters, leading to conversation and laughter after class.

“I used to think yoga was just about feeling good afterward,” says Hall. “Now, I know it’s so much more than that. It’s about who you meet, the people you bring together, the ways it becomes part of your life.”

Currently, Hall is taking a break from teaching in the driveway as she recovers from hip replacement surgery and enjoys her role as a grandmother to six grandchildren. “I love spending time with them,” she says. After five surgeries in recent years, her personal yoga practice is now slower and more restorative. “I’m just grateful for what I can do and taking small steps to get stronger,” she says. “My yoga is gentle and slow now, and I’m happy with that.”

Marian Hall’s story is a testament to the power of community, the accessibility of yoga, and the enduring benefits of movement and connection at any age.