Chair Yoga: Making our Body and Heart Happy (sequence incl)

I think we have this preconceived idea that chair yoga is only for older adults, or those that have physical impairments. It is not. This type of yoga is for anyone who wants to  have a practice that they can be a part.

REMINDER: "The chair is a prop that can add a wide range of participation, and can provide an empowering and positive experience for people who think that yoga is not for them." (By Jivana Heyman)

The benefits of chair yoga are numerous.  Benefits that will keep your mind and your body feeling young. 

• As we age the possibility of falls increases. Our balance is impaired due to a decrease is muscle mass and often our inability to know where our body is in space (proprioception). 
• As we incorporate movements in our exercise routine that teach us this skill our coordination will improve. In addition to improving our proprioception building strength in our body is important. As we build strength we can withstand a fall and/or prevent one. 
• As we age the flexibility we once had five to ten years earlier has begun to change. We find that bending down to pick up that towel or twisting to look behind us is much harder. Our range of motion has decreased. 
• As someone who struggles with "graceful aging" (arthritis), in addition to RA (rheumatoid arthritis) there are days when my joints ache. Days when using my hands or lifting my arms are are difficult. Sitting in a chair takes away the pressure put on my joints  that I may feel in a yoga class. The chair becomes my foundation.
• Our class had ended with a quiet breathing practice. As the residents were leaving to continue with their day,  I heard two residents talking, "You know, I feel so relaxed right now," the other responded, "I know how you feel, me too." Both loved that we ended our class as we had begun, with pranayama breathing. I work to teach them different techniques highlighting that again they can use these when feeling stressed, when feeling the need to calm the body and the mind. 

For those that do not attend the regular chair class the cost is $10.00. Payments can be made to:

Paypal: paypal.me/DBallMindfulYoga   

Venmo: @DBallwegMindfulYoga

 If you could have for props: Mat, Blocks (or two equal sized books), Chair, a Strap of some sort, and a set of hand weights, that would be wonderful.

 Love to hear from you. Thanks: Debra 

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