Chair yoga: enhancing wellness and community for aging adults

Yoga has been recognized for its physical and mental health benefits, and chair yoga has emerged as a particularly accessible form for aging adults. At Lifelong, chair yoga classes are guided by experienced instructors like Caryn Sheckler and Ginny Miller.

Sheckler’s chair yoga classes encompass a holistic approach, integrating breath work, mantras, balance exercises and aerobic activities. “In my classes, we do a lot of breath work, mantra for calming down and connecting with our quiet or wiser self. And we do a lot of balance and aerobic work. So I try to cover everything,” she explains.

The Importance of Balance and Mobility

One of the key focuses of Sheckler’s classes is balance, which she considers essential for maintaining physical health and preventing falls. “We work on balance with the premise of ‘use it or lose it.’,” Sheckler said. “So I always encourage my students to straighten their elbows so that they always can straighten their elbows, or to get up and down out of their chair without using their hands so they can get up and down at the chair.”

Maintaining physical capabilities, such as the ability to stand up without assistance, is crucial. These simple exercises can significantly impact the quality of life by reducing the risk of falls and maintaining independence. 

Breathing and Cardiovascular Health

The classes place a strong emphasis on breathing exercises, which are closely linked to cardiovascular health and balance. “Yoga really relies a lot upon breath work. Being able to take in oxygen is such an important component of good health,” Miller emphasized.

Proper breathing techniques are crucial for maintaining mobility and keeping the spine supple. These exercises help improve oxygen intake, essential for overall health and contribute significantly to the participants’ physical well-being. The focus on breathing not only supports cardiovascular function but also enhances the effectiveness of balance exercises.

Adaptability and Inclusivity

Chair yoga is particularly accommodating for individuals with various health conditions, such as artificial hips, knees and balance issues. Sheckler ensures that her classes are inclusive by modifying exercises to suit everyone’s abilities. “If somebody doesn’t have balance, and for some reason, can’t do the standing work, we modify it so they can do it seated.”

“Getting up and down off the floor is just no longer possible for some people,” said Miller, who underscored the versatility of chair yoga, which can be modified to suit almost any physical limitation. “There are very few poses that can’t be modified.”

Miller highlights that yoga can alleviate common aches and pains associated with aging. “People who are practicing yoga, even just a couple of times a week, tend to have far fewer complaints about those aches and pains. Yoga really does lubricate the joints, whether it’s a stiff neck or sore knees, those things can be improved by doing a little bit of yoga a few times a week.”

Community and Mental Health

Beyond physical benefits, chair yoga classes foster a sense of community, which is vital for mental health. “Even though yoga tends to be seen as a solitary practice, coming together and supporting each other with positive intentions creates a real sense of community and support,” said Miller.

Sheckler notes the importance of mutual support in her classes. “If somebody’s sick or having a hard time, we’re all sending good energy and love to that person. Even if it never gets to that person, the person sending out the good energy is receiving a gift of brightening themselves up even if it doesn’t go two inches farther than them if it works on the inside.”

Chair yoga provides an inclusive and accessible way for aging adults to remain active, sustain their physical health and enhance their mental well-being while fostering a sense of community, It offers a supportive environment for individuals to experience the numerous benefits of yoga, one breath at a time.

For more information about classes, visit https://tclifelong.org/event/chair-yoga-2-2024-03-15/all/