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Chair Yoga Instructor Finds Healing After Cancer, Loss
79-year-old Eileen Cleland leads a twice-weekly chair yoga class at the Burlington YMCA, finding peace and strength through the practice.
Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:22pm
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A neon-outlined chair yoga practice radiates with the transformative energy that has helped this senior instructor find healing and purpose.Burlington TodayEileen Cleland, a 79-year-old chair yoga instructor in Burlington, Vermont, has found healing and purpose through teaching yoga after overcoming breast and lung cancer as well as the loss of her husband. Cleland, who was born and raised in Northern Ireland during a time of sectarian violence, moved to the U.S. and settled in Vermont, where she has been leading a popular chair yoga class at the local YMCA for seniors.
Why it matters
Cleland's story highlights the transformative power of yoga and mindfulness practices, especially for older adults and those dealing with significant health and life challenges. Her classes provide a supportive community for seniors to improve their physical and mental well-being.
The details
Cleland leads a twice-weekly chair yoga class at the Burlington YMCA, guiding mostly senior women through gentle movements and breathing exercises while seated. Despite initial skepticism from some participants about the effectiveness of chair yoga, Cleland has seen the practice have a profound impact on her own life after overcoming breast and lung cancer as well as the loss of her husband. Cleland credits yoga with 'saving her life and her soul' during her darkest times.
- Cleland was born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland in the 1960s.
- In 1966, at age 18, Cleland moved with her mother to South Africa.
- Cleland later moved to the U.S. and settled in Vermont, where she met and married her husband Russ.
- Russ passed away in October 2002 after developing Stage 4 melanoma.
- Cleland was diagnosed with both breast and lung cancer after Russ's death.
The players
Eileen Cleland
A 79-year-old chair yoga instructor who leads a twice-weekly class at the Burlington YMCA. Cleland found healing through yoga after overcoming cancer and the loss of her husband.
Russ
Cleland's husband who passed away in 2002 after developing Stage 4 melanoma.
What they’re saying
“People saying, you're sitting in a chair, how can this be exercise?”
— Eileen Cleland, Chair Yoga Instructor
“Saved my life, saved my soul.”
— Eileen Cleland, Chair Yoga Instructor
The takeaway
Cleland's inspiring story demonstrates how yoga and mindfulness practices can provide profound healing and purpose, even in the face of significant life challenges. Her chair yoga classes offer a supportive community for seniors to improve their physical and mental well-being.
