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No matter what her mood is when she unrolls her yoga mat, there is always a smile on her face by the time she finishes a class."I always feel a lot better when I'm physically active," says Happel. "Yoga helps me with both strength and flexibility."
Happel was diagnosed with osteoporosis in 1999 after her doctor recommended she take a bone mineral density (BMD) test. She is now taking an osteoporosis medication, exercising regularly, eating a calcium-rich diet, and taking calcium and vitamin D supplements.
"Life doesn’t have to get worse as you age. A good attitude goes a long way," said Happel.
The wonderful feeling Happel got from her yoga classes encouraged her to teach yoga to other women who are trying to keep their bones strong.
So now Dana is leading free, two-hour yoga classes in her home. She is thrilled that women enjoy the classes enough to offer some very generous donations. Those donations do add up and when they reach a certain mark, she gives them to different local charitable organizations."It’s a nice way of giving back to my community," said Happel.
