Delores Simmons

Instructor

Willow Street Yoga Center

During her 15 years in the wellness industry, Delores Simmons has had extensive experienceworking with beginners, persons with limited mobility, as well as fitness enthusiasts.Accordingly, she has always been mindful of meeting her Yoga, Pilates, and strength clientswhere they are. Yet, for many years she primarily chased the powerful side of her own physicalabilities—until several pivotal events reshaped her journey, both personally and professionally.After experiencing a sidelining foot injury, burnout, and later enrolling in a 200-hour yogateacher training program, she realized that she had been prioritizing staying in shape physicallyand staying on top of her then day-gig as at attorney, but had failed to consider the importanceof Sukha (comfort or ease). During training, she was pleasantly surprised by the increasedmental and physical resilience she experienced by not only engaging in the movement aspect ofyoga, but also practicing breathwork and meditation. Subsequently, she learned that scientificresearch has documented the benefits of these yogic practices—all of which were crucial to herwell-being after learning that her 22-year-old godson—a Private in the army—died by suicide.Today, Delores supports military and Veterans populations, along with those who are grieving,through her work as a Warriors at Ease yoga and mindfulness instructor, as well as a GriefSharefacilitator and a Mindful Grieving Yoga facilitator. She also champions making yoga classesmore welcoming to persons regardless of age, size, ability, or experience level. To that end, sheleads a variety of yoga classes, including beginner yoga, as well as chair yoga, and is currentlyenrolled in the Accessible Yoga Training program that provides a deeper dive into designingyoga classes where all students can pratice together. In addition to yoga, she continues toteach Pilates and strength in private as well as group settings.