Teacher Spotlight: Rita Walker

Meet Rita, one of the welcoming faces in our Modern Yoga community. A daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother, Rita brings a lifetime of experience—and a whole lot of heart—to her practice and teaching.

Rita found yoga after experiencing two miscarriages and the birth of her second son. At a time when she needed both physical and mental support, yoga became an important part of her life. She practiced on and off for nearly 20 years before eventually taking the next step and becoming a teacher herself.

Rita always knew that, at some point, she wanted to teach yoga, particularly chair yoga and yoga for at-risk youth. After retiring, James encouraged her to pursue that goal. Rita completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training and now teaches Chair Yoga here at Modern Yoga.

Her own practice has taken on an even deeper meaning recently. While out for a walk, Rita was hit by a car and suffered a broken sacral bone, several broken ribs, and stitches in her head and thigh. Through the physical and mental challenges of recovery, yoga has once again been there for her. Today, one of the things that inspires her to get on her mat is simply to regain her strength and flexibility.

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That perspective carries into the way Rita teaches. To her Chair Yoga students, whom she affectionately calls her “chogis,” she often shares this reminder:

“Your limitations are someone else’s goals. Embrace where you are right now.”

It’s a simple message, but one that says a lot about Rita’s approach. Yoga isn’t about comparing where you are to someone else. It’s about showing up, working with the body you have today, and recognizing that progress can look different for everyone.

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Why Chair Yoga?

Rita always knew she wanted to teach Chair Yoga. She’s drawn to how adaptable yoga can be and believes that, as we age, maintaining strength, mobility, and flexibility becomes even more important.

As Rita puts it, she often tells her 92-year-old mom, “You want to do yoga if you want to get off the toilet at 93.” Who doesn’t?

But Rita believes Chair Yoga is for much more than older adults. She says everyone can benefit if they can get past the idea that Chair Yoga is simply “for old people.” The practice can adapt to what your body needs in the moment and can be a great addition to any fitness routine.

The chair itself can also be a valuable tool. It gently encourages good form in many common yoga poses and can help students explore their practice in a different way—no matter their experience or fitness level.

For Rita, that’s what makes Chair Yoga so special: yoga can meet you where you are, and there’s always a way to practice.

Yoga is a life practice. It starts with your breath.-7

When Rita isn’t practicing or teaching yoga, you’ll probably find her thinking about her next adventure.

She LOVES to travel. Rita has visited 49 of the 50 states, along with six countries. Hawaii is the final state on her list, and she has a special plan for getting there: taking the whole family to Hawaii to celebrate her and James’s 40th wedding anniversary in 2028.

Rita's Class Schedule

As for the important questions: Rita is an early bird, loves both the beach and the mountains, and has one very clear irrational fear…

Snakes. 🐍

We’re grateful to have Rita as part of the Modern Yoga teaching community. Her story is a reminder that practice doesn’t have to look perfect to be meaningful. Sometimes, it’s simply about showing up, meeting yourself where you are, and taking the next step.

Meet you on the mat, Rita. ❤️

Join us for a class!