Chair Yoga for Seniors: Props

Series Summary

Yoga poses have become increasingly popular as a form of exercise and meditation. The focus of yoga is a holistic one, employing a broad range of practices which focus on a new way of living, thinking and being in the world. Aimed to unite the mind, the body and the spirit, the health benefits of yoga are also great and varied. From relieving stress to strengthening and toning muscle, integrating yoga positions and exercises into your daily routine can be beneficial on many levels. In this free video series on chair yoga, a certified yoga instructor, April Kirkhart, demonstrates several poses used in chair yoga for seniors. These stretches are great for those with limited mobility and flexibility. Kirkhart begins by discussing the props associated with this stretching program. She then explains some breathing exercises to help achieve the maximum benefit out of the yoga exercise routine. Kirkhart demonstrates poses, such as: the side stretch, warrior two pose, triangle pose, tree pose, mountain pose, cow face pose, pigeon pose and even the corpse pose. Watch these videos and learn several chair yoga poses for seniors today.

Video Transcript

"Hi, I'm April Kirkhart, with Work of Heart Yoga, and today I'm going to be taking you through a sequence of yoga postures for senior citizens, or those who have limited mobility due to injury or just being less flexible. So, there's a few props that you might want to have with you. Here, we have a sticky mat to keep you from slipping. You may also want to have a bolster and a wool blanket; something that's a little stiffer for some support, and then also a sturdy chair that you can use on your sticky mat, and maybe brace against a wall. The one thing I want you to keep in mind is that yoga takes practice, and so, keep your expectations somewhat reasonable, and make sure that you also check with your health care provider before you begin any new physical activity, particularly for those who are recovering from surgery, have had any kind of serious injury, or any kind of serious medical conditions that might affect your practice. So again, your yoga practice is to bring you more openness, more strength, to help you work on your balance, and for you to enjoy, so make sure that you're practicing safely, and that you check with your health care provider about any concerns you have in practicing yoga. Thank you for joining me today."