For the past 20 years, Mindy Eisenberg has dedicated herself to a mission of healing, empowerment and community through yoga.

As the founder and director of Yoga Moves MS, a nonprofit organization based in southeast Michigan, Eisenberg has pioneered the use of adaptive yoga to improve the lives of individuals living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease and other neuromuscular conditions.

This fall, Yoga Moves MS celebrated its 20th anniversary — a milestone that reflects thousands of lives positively impacted by her selfless work.

Eisenberg’s commitment to helping those with chronic illnesses has deep roots. Growing up, she witnessed the debilitating effects of MS firsthand as her mother battled the progressive form of the disease.

“Back then, they told people with MS not to move at all; it was believed movement would make things worse,” Eisenberg said. Reflecting on her mother’s struggles, she added: “There was nothing. Just Valium and steroids. Movement as therapy wasn’t even a consideration.”

Her experiences inspired Eisenberg’s path toward health care administration and, eventually, yoga therapy. A lifelong lover of movement, she transitioned from practicing fast-paced hot yoga to training as a yoga therapist in her 40s, finding her true calling in adaptive yoga.

“Yoga therapy is more involved,” she said. “It’s about addressing specific health and wellness needs.”

Eisenberg’s journey to creating Yoga Moves MS began with a small volunteer effort.

“Someone asked me to teach a yoga class for the MS Society. I didn’t know what I was doing, but I agreed. It didn’t take long to see the benefits people were experiencing,” she said.

A year later, she started working with a local support group at the Michigan Institute for Neurological Disorders in Farmington Hills. From those humble beginnings, Yoga Moves MS has grown into a thriving community with over 70 students participating weekly in its small-group classes.

Unlike traditional yoga classes, Yoga Moves MS sessions are carefully tailored to the needs of individuals with neuromuscular conditions. Classes often require multiple instructors to provide personalized attention and ensure students’ safety.

“Our (in-person) classes are small — 12 to 14 participants max — and focus on alignment and individual needs. This is not about just breathing into your body; we are hands-on to ensure everyone is safe and empowered,” she said.

The impact of her approach goes beyond the physical.

“If you ask people what they value most, they’ll often tell you it’s the sense of community. It mitigates the isolation so many feel,” Eisenberg said, adding that students check in on each other outside of class, forming bonds that resemble a close-knit family.

Yoga Moves MS has seen transformative results over the years.

“One of our students, who has little to no movement from the waist down, stood up using a chair for support during class. It was something he hadn’t done in years. He told me yoga motivated him to try,” she said.

As many participants have attested, the physical benefits extend to improved flexibility, reduced spasticity, and better sleep quality.

“We hear it all the time — students feel better, they sleep better, and they approach life with more positivity,” Eisenberg said.

Running Yoga Moves MS is no small feat.

Adaptive yoga requires significant resources, with

some classes necessitating up to five instructors. Despite the high costs, Eisenberg remains committed to keeping classes accessible.

“There’s no set charge for our classes. We appreciate donations, but they’re complimentary. Many people with MS are financially struggling because the disease often strikes during their prime earning years,” she said.

To sustain its mission, Yoga Moves MS relies on fundraisers like the annual Gratitude Gala and grants from organizations such as the Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s. These efforts have allowed the nonprofit to expand its reach, including launching the Yoga Moves for Parkinson’s program and an on-demand adaptive yoga platform.

As Yoga Moves MS enters its third decade, Eisenberg is spearheading a rebranding effort to emphasize inclusivity. The new motto, “Yoga Moves Any Body,” reflects a broader mission to welcome anyone seeking the benefits of adaptive yoga.

“There’s still so much misunderstanding about yoga,” Eisenberg said. “People think you have to be flexible to do it, but that’s not true. Yoga is about strength, mindfulness, and meeting your body where it is.”

Growing acceptance within the medical community supports Eisenberg’s vision.

“When I first started, yoga therapy was almost unheard of. Now, many doctors actively encourage movement and recommend our classes to their patients. It makes their lives easier, knowing their patients are in good hands,” she said.

Dr. Robert Pace, director of neuroimmunology at Memorial Healthcare Institute for Neuroscience in Owosso, agrees.

“Yoga Moves MS makes my job easier. I enthusiastically endorse the organization and regularly recommend my patients to seek out their yoga classes for pain management and flexibility,” he said.

Yoga Moves MS also will be available at the Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness, a facility widely accessible to the Parkinson’s community. The center, set to open on Northwestern Highway in 2025, will offer a wide range of therapeutic programs free of charge, ranging from exercise and movement-based therapies to lifestyle classes and counseling services.

Reflecting on her journey, Eisenberg said: “My goal has always been to empower people and reduce fear. Yoga can change lives, and I’m grateful to be part of that change.”

In-person classes are held in various communities around the region, including Farmington Hills, Southfield and Troy. Live online classes also are available. Instructors, who undergo extensive training, are always needed. For more information, visit yogamovesms.org.