Category: Yoga Arthritis and you

Chair Yoga for Fall Prevention with Gail P-B.

Teaching a new time slot and a new style of class. Starts on Friday, January 17, 2025. Will reside on the online studio platform for Veterans Yoga Project. Chair Yoga for Fall Prevention.

Recently Veterans Affairs, announced its partnership with Veterans Yoga Project to have VYP provide yoga, meditation, Yoga Nidra Meditation practices. The full story can be found here.

Here’s a little snippet from the article.

VA offers free online and in-person yoga classes and mindfulness training to Veterans across the nation. VA hosts these classes through a partnership with Veterans Yoga Project, Inc., which is maintained by the National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships (HAP).

The classes provide a no-cost opportunity to Veterans seeking to improve their mental, physical and emotional health through yoga and mindfulness practices.

VA and Veterans Yoga Project are working together to make more Veterans aware of the benefits of yoga while offering more classes. This partnership also provides local VA medical centers with opportunities to connect with Veterans Yoga Project instructors to provide yoga classes and mindful resilience training to Veterans, either in-person or virtually through VA-approved telehealth platforms.

“Through this partnership with Veterans Yoga Project, we are addressing top VA priorities, expanding Veteran access to care and enhancing the overall health of Veterans,” said Kimberly Pugh, health system specialist within VHA National Center for Healthcare Advancement & Partnerships. “Including yoga and mindfulness into their health care routine provides Veterans with additional tools to manage stress, improve physical health and build resilience.”

72% of Veterans saw a reduction in pain

The Veterans Yoga Project is a nonprofit organization that helps Veterans, their families and communities recover and build resilience through yoga and mindfulness training. In 2023, Veterans Yoga Project reported that 75% of Veterans who took part in their programs felt less distress and 72% saw a reduction in pain.

The partnership between VA and Veterans Yoga Project focuses on several key goals:

• Teaching Veterans about the benefits of yoga and mindfulness for their mental, physical and emotional health.
• Making access to yoga classes and mindful resilience training easier for Veterans.
• Encouraging local partnerships between VA medical centers and Veterans Yoga Project instructors.
• Offering free yoga and meditation classes to Veterans in their communities.

Classes reduce pain and stress

“Veterans Yoga Project is proud to partner with VA and deliver yoga and mindful resilience practices as a primary service to America’s Veterans,” said Brianna Renner, CEO of Veterans Yoga Project. “As an integral part of VA’s Whole Health initiative, together we have the ability to empower more Veterans to live, thrive and actively belong. With a robust teacher network and over a hundred free yoga classes weekly, we are dedicated to growing the impact of our classes to reduce pain and stress and support as many Veterans as possible.”

This partnership shows VA’s commitment to changing the way health care is delivered to Veterans, focusing on personalized, whole-person care. Yoga is part of VA Whole Health System of Care, which gives Veterans supportive health options.

I teach the Gentle Yoga for Back Care, and alternate that time slot with Chair Tai Chi. Both have been popular with some of the older Veterans.

Now we are hosting a new class, Chair Yoga for Fall Prevention. It is Fridays at 1 PM CDT (think Texas time). Some gear is needed for this class. Two Chairs, a Yoga Strap, a Yoga Block. Optional, if you have a yoga strap with a buckle, or a TheraBand (stretchy strap).

Here’s the registration link, then you “Book” the class! https://veteransyogaproject.org/vyp-classes/

Here’s the online description of the class.

Class Description

Discover the benefits of yoga without the need to get down on the floor in our Chair Yoga for Fall Prevention class. This gentle and accessible yoga practice is designed to improve balance, flexibility, and strength while keeping you comfortably seated or standing with support.

Our chair yoga practice includes:

Seated Balance Poses: Enhance stability and coordination through modified yoga poses performed while seated.

Gentle Stretching: Increase flexibility and joint mobility with easy-to-follow stretches that reduce stiffness and improve range of motion.

Strength Exercises: Build muscle strength in the core, legs, and upper body to support daily activities and reduce the risk of falls.

Mindful Movements: Boost body awareness and confidence with slow, deliberate movements and guided breathing techniques, all performed with the aid of a chair for safety and comfort.

Perfect for seniors, those with limited mobility, or anyone seeking a low-impact exercise routine. Our skilled instructors will guide you through each pose, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience. Embrace a healthier, more stable lifestyle with Chair Yoga for Fall Prevention!