How to Introduce Chair Yoga to a Group of Seniors
I completed the chair yoga on line courses last Spring and have been loving teaching my classes at the senior citizens building for almost a year now. I recently enrolled in the chair yoga dance courses and my students look forward to me sharing the things I learn with them.
I have a little question for you: my director has asked me to introduce chair yoga to a local church widow group and has given me 10-15 minutes. How do I show them everything in that short of time frame? I would appreciate any advice you may have to offer.
Thanks,
Krislyn
Answer from Sherry
So nice to hear that you are teaching and there are great opportunities for you in your community!! I know that 10-15 minutes is such a short time. Here are a few thoughts. Some of these videos are on YogaVista.TV and some are on YouTube. Here is a suggested order.
The main thing is that you want to make it fun, educational and somewhat easy for people to catch on.
- Patterns – Cactus Opposites – progressive movements that help improve memory and coordination.
- Arthritis for the Fingers – Finger Play – finger arthritis is very common in the senior population. A few daily moves will help them to become more flexible and reduce pain.
- Leg strength – Blastoffs – reinforce the importance of our muscles of independence to get us up off the couch, toilet and out of a car!
- Hips and Balance – Curtsy – Balance and hip flexibility
- Educational tidbits – Ear Wiggle – discuss the connection between fascia and movement. When you move one area, you free up another because the body is interconnected! That is what Yoga does throughout your whole body!
I hope that helps! Good luck!!!! Let me know how it goes!
Love,
Sherry
Reply Back from Krislyn
Hello and just a quick thank you for your ideas on introducing a group of widows to the senior citizens yoga class. We met yesterday and I had them participate as my little group did a few of your suggestions. I thought they enjoyed it and today the directors said several want to join our class. They must have really enjoyed it! Thanks again for all the encouragement. I practice passing it on to my classes.
Fascia Neck Release – Amazing Ear Wiggle with Justine Shelton, Certified Yoga Therapist
If you have tight and tense neck muscles then most likely your fascia is tight and limiting your mobility. Here’s proof that everything in your body is interconnected. Find out how simple movements like wiggling your ear and your thumb can release neck tension. Be prepared to be Amazed!
Cognitive Practice: Cactus Opposites Cross-Body Moves with Sherry
This practice involves a lot of movements that may seem complicated at first, but hang in there… Your brain will figure them out and you will have a great sense of accomplishment.
Finger Arthritis Play for Memory and Dexterity with Sherry
Making shapes with your fingers not only helps with your mobility, but it also fine tunes the mind/body connection as I call out different patterns to create on the fly. Here is just another way to have fun while we are doing good things for our bodies!
Blast Off for Strong and Powerful Legs – A Chair Yoga Sequence with Sherry
Want a quick, effective and doable way to strengthen your legs so that you can easily get up and down out of a chair, sofa… or yes, even the toilet? Then try this short but powerful Chair Yoga sequence. Remember to pace yourself and pretty soon you will be able to do it to the end and Blast Off with us!
The Curtsy! Hip Strengthening and Hip Mobility in one Yoga Pose with Sherry Zak Morris, C-IAYT
Hip injuries from slips and falls are way to common in the 50+ population. In preparation for those accidental mishaps… let’s keep our hip joint the healthiest we can by strengthening and moving them. Hail to the Queen – the curtsy is a fun sequence that requires balance too!
