Category: #gentleyogaforlowbackcare

Empowering Veterans: Weekly Online Movement Classes with Gail Pickens‑Barger

Empowering Veterans: Weekly Online Movement Classes with Gail Pickens‑Barger

Join me on the Veterans Yoga Project Online Studio, via the WellnessLiving platform, for free weekly classes designed to enhance strength, flexibility, balance, and resilience. These accessible sessions offer physical, emotional, and mental support for Veterans across the nation. In 2024, 76% of participants reported decreased distress, and 72% saw reduced pain.

Chair Tai Chi with a Splash of Yoga with Gail PB
Chair Tai Chi with a Splash of Yoga with Gail PB

📅 Wednesdays — Alternating: Chair Tai Chi & Gentle Yoga for Back Care

Every other Wednesday (1:00 PM CST / 12:00 PM PST), I alternate two foundational classes:

🔹 Chair Tai Chi for Beginners

A 45 to 60-minute seated class that blends:

  • Yang-style Tai Chi forms, Shaolin muscle-sinew exercises
  • Qigong detox movements, mobility drills for fingers, hands, eyes
  • Acupressure and gratitude-based breathwork relaxation

Benefits:

  • Helps relieve chronic pain
  • Enhances posture, balance, strength, and sleep
  • Boosts circulation, lymph flow, digestion, and emotional regulation

Gear needed: Just one sturdy chair

Beginner Friendly Gentle Yoga for Back Care class online through Veterans Yoga Project
Gentle Yoga for Back Care Beginners Class on Veterans Yoga Project Online Studio

🔹 Gentle Yoga for Back Care

This 60-minute class is designed for all levels and especially beneficial for people with back pain, arthritis, or joint limitations.

What to Expect:

  • Gentle yoga stretches and flows, either seated or on the mat
  • Tools and techniques that support spinal alignment and mobility
  • Breathing practices for stress relief and better circulation

Helpful Props:

  • Yoga strap, block, mat or chair
  • Optional: blanket, wall, or table for support
Fall Prevention Yoga Class using Two Chairs, Yoga Strap and Blocks for Improving Strength and Balance
Fall Prevention Yoga Class. Using Two Chairs, Yoga Strap and Block for Improving Strength and Balance

✅ Fridays — Chair Yoga for Fall Prevention

Join me every Friday at 1:00 PM CST / 11:00 AM PST for this energizing 60-minute session designed to improve balance, body awareness, and strength in a safe and supportive way.

Key Features:

  • Chair-supported balance exercises
  • Strength-building movements to reduce fall risk
  • No floor work required—great for people with limited mobility
  • Mindful breathing and body awareness to calm the nervous system

What You’ll Need:

  • Two chairs (one for movement, one for support)
  • Strap, yoga block
  • Optional: TheraBand, blanket, wall

💬 Side Note: Recent Student Reviews

Here’s what students are saying about these life-changing classes:

⭐ “I was experiencing level 6 pain in my hip and leg… After Gail’s class, my pain dropped to level 1. So grateful!”
— JA, July 25, 2025 – Fall Prevention Chair Yoga

⭐ “Gail PB is amazing! I’ve had two knee replacements and still get a great workout.”
— RM, July 24, 2025 – Gentle Yoga for Back Care

⭐ “Fantastic teacher! The practices make me feel better after class. The 3-step is really helpful—thanks Gail!”
— LC, July 12, 2025 – Fall Prevention

⭐ “Gail’s Chair Tai Chi is wonderful—good for both body and mind. Would love to see even more of these classes!”
— NW, July 16, 2025 – Chair Tai Chi

⭐ “I love Gail’s classes. They challenge me to get stronger and improve my balance. I’m thankful these are free.”
— DA, multiple reviews from June–July 2025

⭐ “Gail’s knowledge is deep, and she presents with humor and warmth. Her Chair Yoga is one of my weekly must-do’s!”
— DL, July 2, 2025 – Chair Tai Chi

🧘 Why These Classes Matter

  • Free for Veterans: Sponsored through the Veterans Yoga Project & VA partnership
  • Accessible and inclusive: No need to get on the floor
  • Safe and effective: Gentle movements adapted to your body’s needs
  • Whole Health support: Stress relief, pain reduction, emotional balance

📋 Weekly Snapshot

DayClassDurationFocus Area
Wednesday (alternating)Chair Tai Chi45 minMind-body connection, mobility
Wednesday (alternating)Gentle Yoga for Back Care60 minBack pain relief, strength & stretch
FridayChair Yoga for Fall Prevention60 minBalance, fall risk reduction

📝 How to Join

  1. Visit VeteransYogaProject.org
  2. Register for a free account on the WellnessLiving platform
  3. Reserve your spot for the class—and let’s move, breathe, and heal together

Let’s make mindful movement a part of your weekly wellness!
Reach out anytime if you have questions or need help getting started.

Chair Tai Chi & Gentle Beginners Yoga for Back Care Classes – 2025

Chair Tai Chi & Gentle Beginners Yoga for Back Care Classes

February 2025. For Veterans Yoga Project Online Studio, Gail Pickens-Barger, Yoga Instructor/Chair Tai Chi Instructor. New schedule update.

Wednesdays Gentle Yoga for Back Care/ Chair Tai Chi. 11:00am PST(60 min) | Wednesdays | 1:00pm CST(60 min)

Fridays Chair Yoga for Fall Prevention. 11:00 am PST (60 min) | Fridays | 1:00 pm CST (60 mins)

Gail Pickens-Barger

Yoga Teacher, Chair Tai Chi & Yoga Nidra Meditation Teacher

Class Description: Chair Tai Chi / Gentle Yoga for Back Care for Beginners. One week will be chair tai chi, the next week will be gentle yoga for back care for beginners.

Chair Tai Chi Class Description:
 
Chair Tai Chi is a 45 minute class, consisting of a blend of Yang Style Tai Chi forms (singled out for adaptability in a seated position), Shaolin muscle and sinew exercises, qigong (“chee-kung”) detoxing techniques, hand/finger/eye exercises, acupressure point stimulation, and guided rest & relaxation & gratitude practice.

Benefits: Chronic pain reduction, improved strength and flexibility, range of motion, posture, blood pressure, sleep, digestion, and immunity. Relieves stress, anxiety, and aids in overall well-being. Chair Tai Chi is a unique therapeutic modality being offered in the online Veterans Yoga Project studio.
 
*Special instructions for Chair Tai Chi:
Please have a sturdy chair available.

*******

Gentle Yoga for Back Care Beginners Class Description:

This 60 minute class is formatted for those of all ages and levels who experience low back pain, whether chronic or due to injury. The use of gear is encouraged to help support you through class which is presented every other week with our resident VYP expert, Gail Pickens-Barger. Class can be done on a yoga mat, or seated on a chair.

Special Instructions
Please have on hand:
* a strap
* a block
* access to a non-stick surface (a.k.a. yoga mat) or be seated on a chair

Optional items to have on hand are:
* a blanket/cover
* access to a wall or chair/table.  

You don’t have to bend like a pretzel to do yoga!

Example of Back Yoga for Beginners. Ease your back challenges with simple, effective movements.

Check out my latest “Live” video. I was testing the video quality and sound at a remote location. Sound is not as crisp as I would like, but is tolerable. Movement sequences for hands and fingers for easing pain and arthritis.

Active Aging – Active Older Adult

Wow – Active Aging – Active Older Adult – Yoga – Chair Yoga – Chair Tai Chi – Chair Yoga Dance

Gentle Yoga for Low Back Care with Gail Pickens-Barger
Gentle Yoga for Low Back Care with Gail Pickens-Barger

Yoga classes geared for those actively aging!

Seated Chair Yoga. Using gear such as yoga straps, blocks, chairs and mats to build bones by actively engaging large muscle groups.

Lessen stiffness & knee pain with guided Chair Tai Chi Classes with Gail

In-Person Classes: Wednesdays – Chair Tai Chi with a splash of Yoga at Lakeside Center, 150 Magnolia Street, Beaumont, Texas. $4 for non-residents of Beaumont, free for Beaumont residents. Class starts at 11:00 AM. Come a bit early to grab a chair, or have one of us get you a chair.

Fridays – Yoga – may be done entirely seated, or on the yoga mat, or standing behind the chair for support. Lakeside Center, 150 Magnolia Street, Beaumont, Texas. $4 for non-residents of Beaumont, free for Beaumont residents. Class starts at 10:30 AM. Come a bit early to place down your yoga mat, grab a chair, yoga strap and block. Please bring your own personal yoga mat. All other gear provided.

Online Classes: Wednesdays at 1 PM Central Time (think Texas). Held on Veterans Yoga Project Online yoga studio. Free. All are welcomed. https://veteransyogaproject.org/vyp-classes to create an account and then book a class. There’s also an app for that. Download from Apple or Andriod onto your phone. Create and account, book a class! Come a bit early to class to say “Hi” before we get started.

The online class can also be done either seated on the chair, or on the yoga mat. I do have some folks who do the class on the couch or their bed. This class is geared to lessen back pain.

How Yoga Can Help Veterans
How Yoga Can Help Veterans
Low Back Care Yoga on Veterans Yoga Project Online Yoga Studio with Gail P-B.
Low Back Care Yoga on Veterans Yoga Project Online Yoga Studio with Gail P-B. Wednesdays Classes are now at 1 PM Central TIme.

Additional beginners yoga classes for back challenges with Gail P-B.

For those of you taking my online beginning yoga classes, I’ve include a few fan favorites here for you to enjoy. Additionally, a Yoga Nidra Meditation & Chair Tai Chi with Gail PB.

Hello, I’m providing some links to previously recorded classes, in case you need to take another class with me, prior to us coming together next Wednesday. I teach regularly on Wellness Living Online Studio classes for Veterans Yoga Project. Enjoy!

Videos:
https://youtu.be/RrhmFnQ18vA

I’m also including a seated chair tai chi video:

and lastly a 43 minute Yoga Nidra practice, which in my opinion is part II in reducing chronic daily pain.

Teaching Online Yoga Wednesdays at 1:00 PM Central Time.

Now teaching online at: 12 AM PT, 1 PM CST, 2 ET

Gentle Yoga with Gail Pickens-Barger. Yoga to help ease back pain, lessen stress, increase flexibility, build bones, better balance, and have higher quality sleep. Next class sign up. https://tinyurl.com/TueYogaGail
Gentle Yoga with Gail Pickens-Barger. Yoga to help ease back pain, lessen stress, increase flexibility, build bones, better balance, and have higher quality sleep. Next class sign up. https://tinyurl.com/TueYogaGail
Tuesday Yoga for Easing Back Pain with Gentle Beginners Yoga with Gail, in-person classes starting 3rd week of March 2022.
Tuesday Yoga for Easing Back Pain with Gentle Beginners Yoga with Gail

Interesting Study: New Study Adds Growing Evidence that Yoga and Meditation Can Reduce Chronic Pain. I can attest to that study, as it has helped me with my chronic back pain!

https://www.yogauonline.com/yoga-research/new-study-adds-growing-evidence-yoga-and-meditation-can-reduce-chronic-pain

The study echoes previous findings on the benefits of yoga and meditation for chronic pain published in 2016 in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association.

“The bottom line is that patients are seeking new ways to cope with chronic pain and effective non-pharmaceutical treatments are available,” says Dr. Marske. “Our findings show meditation and yoga can be a viable option for people seeking relief from chronic pain.”

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201001133227.htm

This just in. Yoga Eases Moderate to Severe Chronic Low Back Pain - Yoga with Gail
This just in. Yoga Eases Moderate to Severe Chronic Low Back Pain – Yoga with Gail
Check out one of my more popular class formats. Can be done seated on the chair, or on the yoga mat or on your couch or bed. Beginners simple movements.