The time is going on 9:30 on a Thursday morning, and older adults are excitedly making their way into the hall at Holy Name of Jesus Church, getting ready for their 9:45 chair yoga class.
There is a buzz in the air as people settle in, chatting with friends and waving across the room to others they have spotted.
For the uninitiated, chair yoga is a form of exercise open to everyone, including those with physical limitations.
“We do a complete class, the only difference is, that all positions or moves are either done in the chair or with the aid of a chair. So, names that people are familiar with like downward dog or thread the needle, we do all of those poses in the chair,” explained instructor Colleen Jones.
The free class offered through the VON is geared to seniors 60 plus because as some people age, their mobility becomes an issue.
“Maybe certain moves, they’re just not able to do with ease anymore. So, for instance, getting down and up off the floor might not be as easy as it once was 10 or 15 years ago. But this still gives them the strength and the stretch aspects of yoga,” Jones stated.
The physical benefits include but are not limited to, improved flexibility, strength, and balance.
“Chair yoga is huge, and the benefits are so far-reaching. Take someone active all their life and for whatever reason, is no longer able to do some of those activities that they love, this fills that gap for them. So, they can do things and get or stay in shape, and keep those muscles and bones strong,” Jones pointed out.
“For those people who maybe are recovering from some sort of treatment or surgery, it fills that gap as well. They might not be able to go for a huge walk yet, but they can come and stay in a chair and do exercises that will benefit them.”
Good for the body and mind, chair yoga doubles as a stress reliever.
“Yoga, as anyone who does the practice will tell you, just gives them a good feeling. It is a very peaceful feeling. It relieves stress, it relieves anxiety. It can just calm the system down. There are so many benefits to it,” observed Jones.
Relaxation exercises taught in class include breathing techniques.
“Basically, box breathing is breathing equal parts in and out and holding to a count of four. We do that in the class, but then we talk about areas it will benefit them in their regular everyday life. So, it gives them that calmness when they’re facing something they’re maybe a little bit nervous about. I often use the idea that you’re going into a crowded room and you’re not comfortable in crowds, how can you use box breathing to help you? So, a one-hour yoga class is phenomenal, it carries out with you into your everyday life,” Jones noted.
A regular participant, Ray Thomson says the classes are paying off for him.
“I get a little bit more mobility out of it. It’s been a lot of fun; we joke around a lot, and I am getting some of the flexibility that I need. I’m not ready to pump iron, but I do notice a difference,” Thomson chuckled.
And of course, it provides that social interaction many seniors crave.
”The idea is to bring seniors out of their homes and into a community where they are comfortable. Bringing them out is a good group activity,” Jones stated.
Just looking around the room, it is evident just how much people enjoy interacting with one another.
“We have a good time kibitzing back and forth with each other. The class has really grown. We started out with maybe 20 of us, and now if you look around at the size of it, it just keeps getting bigger and bigger and bigger. She (Jones) is a good teacher, and we enjoy it. I would recommend it to everybody” shared Carol Miller about the classes she attends.
“Yoga is all about you,” explained Jones.
“It is not about what your neighbour is doing or keeping up with somebody two chairs over. We want you to focus solely on you. I find the physical, and mental benefits of yoga are incredible.”
In addition to the 9:45 Thursday morning class at Holy Name of Jesus situated on Memorial Drive in North Bay, a class is also offered on Mondays at 9:45 a.m. in Redbridge at the Phelps Golden Age Club.
The popularity of chair yoga has grown to the point where a similar class offered at The Village at Canadore College has a waiting list.
The VON also offers programs for seniors at the West Ferris Arena on Mondays and Wednesdays starting at 10:30 a.m., and Fridays at 1 p.m.
