NEW CLASS Friday 1 - 2.30pm - Very Gentle Hatha/Restorative Yoga Class
This extra gentle class is for seniors and anyone convalescing or recovering from illness.  It will involve gentle stretching exercises to bring some relief to stiffness.  We will do some warming up on our feet as well as on the mat.  We will also focus on the breath and relaxing into poses for long enough to allow contractions and tension to release.  I can offer modifications for most situations so that in spite of pain or restrictions, some movement can be achieved and some benefits felt. We will use props to facilitate this and although we will work on the floor in the studio, we will only get up once after the floor work and relaxation.  

​Yoga is so beneficial to those who have stiffness and pain, who might be getting less confident with mobility or who might take longer to recover from injury.  The trouble is so often older people are less likely to come to Yoga classes.  They see pictures of people in athletic poses or tying themselves in knots and either think, 'I can't do it' or 'I don't dare with my knee/back/hip'.  People who are already experiencing the effects of aging are more careful because muscle mass may well be diminishing and any injuries are harder to recover from.  It is essential we don't allow fear to prevent us from moving, thereby creating a vicious circle that increases stiffness and pain.  This is exactly why Yoga is such a good practise for older people - it is a mindful practise, where we work slowly, observing the effects on the body and ensuring we do not hurt ourselves. 

Senior citizens need to maintain flexibility and suppleness in the joints - Yoga improves flow of synovial fluid to the joints and is very low impact so is extremely helpful.  The Arthritis Foundation say "People with arthritis, who need regular physical activity to keep joints flexible, maintain muscle tone and manage weight, may find yoga a perfect way to exercise. The gentle, flowing poses can be less stressful on sore joints than other types of movement."

The not so young need to keep muscles strong so joints are protected and normal activities can be continued, like carrying heavy bags and gardening.  The wonderful thing about Yoga is that it is a complete system that carefully works through all the muscles in the body.  Certain exercises or poses will be indicated for people with particular issues and, in small groups or individual lessons, I can ensure that you know what will be beneficial to you and how to practise it safely.  We have props, such as chairs, blocks and straps to make sure that Yoga is accessible for everyone.  For some individuals practising Yoga in a chair is the best way to access its benefits.

Through the years, it is almost impossible not to build up bad postural habits or to work one side of the body much more, by playing a sport like golf or simply by doing everything right handed.  Also any bad postural habits will have been ingrained for longer and so being mindful of which muscles we are engaging is vital if the practise is to be beneficial.  Yoga works both sides of the body equally, always keeping your alignment and posture in mind. Yoga makes you make connections between the mind, the body and the breath to help you maintain good posture, good balance and good humour.  

So a Yoga lesson with me would involve enquiry into what any current issues are, connection with the breath and increasing the capacity of the breath, some gentle warming up and stretching, some strengthening and balancing poses and probably some fluid gentle movements between poses, if I feel that would be appropriate for you.  I would encourage you to keep listening to your body's inherent wisdom and when you are in a pose, start to learn to 'play with the edge' so you move towards your limit of strength, flexibility or balance and move gently around that point, backing off if you are struggling or approaching pain, going deeper if you are relaxing and feeling good.  Playing with that 'edge' helps to recondition the body and mind out of old patterns and increase mobility much more than any force.

Please do phone or email to discuss your needs.  I can teach individual or group Yoga classes in my studio or at your home.