“Fall Prevention” is all the buzz, but is it a good strategy? So the plan is to not fall– at all– for the next 10-20-30 years?? That’s not realistic. What you want to do instead is to “practice” the various elements of a fall and get in shape for falling–in other words, train for it. Then maybe you’ll bounce, and not break!
In my current roster of classes, the ability to move up and down from a seated position on the floor to a standing position is required. That said, I have some people who are either losing their ability to do so, or are prevented by injuries or surgeries. Going from fully seated on the floor to fully standing isn’t going to be in the cards for everyone forever.
With that in mind, I am attempting to reconfigure the Wednesday Noon “Fit & Feisty” class WITHOUT that requirement. That said, it will NOT be a conventional chair yoga class. Many of you know I’m not a fan of the classes that do ALL the poses in chairs. Lawyers love them as liability is low–but so are results!
I am calling this new class, Chair~ish: Therapeutic Yoga for Longevity. The class will still work on the skill of getting up off the floor for those who are able to do so in any capacity–even slowly with the assistance of a chair and blocks. (I am NOT able to lift you, however). That said, you’ll also be welcome to remain in your chair during this time and provided with an alternative activity.
Why is making friends w/ the floor so important? All of the various ways we sit on the floor in yoga are essentially ways you might land in a fall. The problem is, if you’re never down on the floor, a fall might be the first time you’re put into such a position in years. Your body is tight, weak, and has no muscle memory for the position so… .SNAP! You get injured. That said, we can work on some of those positions reclining on the floor, so if you can just get yourself up and down using a chair you’ll still benefit– even if you can’t sit upright. We can also set up some of those positions from atop your chair, so at least you can work on crucial areas.
Who knows, you may be able to sit on the floor for the first time in years after a couple of months! It has happened!
Standing and balancing poses like you see above will still be the order of the day, but with chairs close by to lend stability. Chairs will also be used to lighten the upper body load for dogs/planks/etc.
Winter Session Starts January 8- Feb 25. Register HERE to save your spot. 8 person limit.
