3 Reasons Why Chair Yoga is a Great Exercise for Seniors

Staying active and mobile as we age is important for the overall state of our health, as well as our independence! If your senior parent isn’t as active as they used to be, and you’re worried about them moving from point A to point B, chair yoga could be the solution! It’s a safe and effective way for them to get some gentle stretching in and preserve their mobility level. They’ll also enjoy the many benefits that yoga offers people of all ages. Let’s take a closer look: 

Chair Yoga Is safe For Seniors Because:

1. Added stability due to being seated. Many older adults struggle with balance and stability as they age, and falling poses a huge health risk to seniors. While some seniors can participate in standard yoga classes after some practice, many older adults feel more comfortable and secure starting off with chair yoga. Many gyms, community centers, and independent senior living communities offer chair yoga classes for people of all abilities, so check locally to see what’s available. It might even become an activity you and Mom can enjoy together! 
2. It can be done at home. If your senior loved one isn’t quite comfortable going to a gym for a class, many wonderful chair yoga videos are available online, including this one. Chair yoga can be done from the comfort of home and you don’t need any extra equipment, making it a convenient workout for older adults who have mobility or transportation limitations or who don’t have access to a local gym. 
3. You can customize and change the workouts as you progress. As with everything, start with the basics targeted toward beginners. It’s never wise to jump into something at an intermediate or an advanced level;  it’s safest that seniors start with beginner movements and then “up” the routine as they feel more comfortable. 

The Added Benefits Of Yoga For Seniors 

Chair yoga provides so many benefits for seniors, including:

• Increased flexibility
• Improved muscle strength
• Improved coordination and balance
• Reduced stress
• Better sleep
• Reduced pain and discomfort
• Better combating anxiety and depression

It’s normal for us to lose flexibility as we age, and for our balance and coordination to take a dip. Chair yoga is a great way for seniors to work on maintaining these things, while also benefitting from all the positive aspects yoga offers. 

Chair Yoga For Seniors At Home Or In Assisted Living

If you have aging parents, you know convincing them to try new things can be difficult sometimes. Many people hear the word yoga and envision people standing on their heads and doing painful-looking backbends, but yoga is for people of all ages and abilities. Chair yoga, in particular, is just one variation geared toward people who have certain physical limitations. 

Our senior living team in New Jersey recommends starting with a chair yoga session with your senior parent at home so they can see that it’s safe, secure, and, most importantly, effective. Doing a chair yoga session once or twice a week at home or in their assisted living apartment is enough for your loved one to feel all the benefits, and it will hopefully form an enjoyable habit that will last long into the future. 

If you need support with your aging parents and have any questions about our senior communities in NJ, please visit our website at: https://umcommunities.org.

This blog was originally published at https://umcommunities.org/umc-corp/blog/why-chair-yoga-is-great-for-seniors/