Stay Balanced with Chair Yoga for Fall Prevention. Online Studio class from Veterans Yoga Project on Fridays at 1 PM CST.
Stay Balanced with Chair Yoga
A weekly Chair Yoga class where we use two chairs, a block and a strap to help strengthen the leg/hip musculature. Work on our balance in this class too. A few Chair Tai Chi inspired movements are thrown in for good measure.
Check out this new weekly class on Veterans Yoga Project online studio. It’s FREE. Register, book a class, wait for that link one hour prior to class to come on in and take the class. https://veteransyogaproject.org/vyp-classes now to register, book and wait for this class!
Current Playlist for Chair Yoga for Fall Prevention with Gail P-B.
Received some nice feedback on the Fall Prevention Chair Yoga class, that has been added to the schedule for online offerings for Veterans Yoga Project online studio.
It is an hour long class, then we have a discussion afterwards of what worked well for the folks, and what did not work well. Everyone is in a different place in their balance journey, so it is a “balance” (ha ha) to try to please most folks. (Get it, “balance”, Fall Prevention?)
When I was in a breast cancer study at MD Anderson a couple of years ago (get my mammograms at either the Houston, or Conroe location), one of the testing parameters was how many “Sit to Stands” movements I could do, unassisted. If one is below the average in these numbers, then there is a high probability that you will have a fall.
I shared this image a couple of years ago on my Instagram feed. It has stuck with me all these years.
Are you at Risk for Falling?
Check out the free yoga classes over on Veterans Yoga Project website!
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.
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).
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!
Yoga for Back Pain Relief, Chronic or Recurring Back Pain (shhhh, it’s yoga!)
Relief for Chronic or Recurring Back Pain (shhhh, it’s yoga!)
Instant Stress Eraser The economy is in the dumps. Gas prices continue to shoot upwards.
It’s winter. It used to be vacation time. If only you can take a vacation from stress.
Now you can. Right now while you read this post.
Sit up straight and take a deeper breathe than you normally do. Hold it for a second or two, and let the air out with a sigh. Go ahead. No one will notice.
Now, do it again. Take a deeper breathe than before. Hold it for a moment or two and just… let … it … go.
Most people tend to breathe very shallow in their chest. Shallow breathing promotes stress and tension. Deep breathing melts it away.
In a few minutes of deep breathing, you can actually eliminate all stress and tension, lower your blood pressure, and instantly gain a lot more positive attitude.
My name is Gail Pickens-Barger and I teach yoga Online/In-Person and Classes on YouTube. Forget what you’ve heard about yoga. You do not have to twist yourself into a pretzel to do yoga. It’s for everyone. Whether you are in shape or not.
And the benefits are immediate.
It’s winter so this is the best time to get started eliminating your stress with yoga.
Check out my latest beginner yoga video on YouTube:
Get back pain relief through gentle yoga with Gail P-b.
Yoga for Back Pain | Best Movements for Back Pain Relief | Beginners Yoga class with Gail P-B.
I teach for Veterans Yoga Project (VYP)in their Online Yoga Studio. One of the more popular classes for folks that have some issues with their back tissues is the Gentle Yoga for Low Back Care Class, hosted on VYP online yoga studio.
I teach this class at 12:30 Central Time (think Texas). A sixty-minute class on Wednesdays It is geared towards beginners, and I also give alternative yoga postures for those of us, who do not wish to get down to the floor–so keep your chair handy!
Gear you’ll need for this class is a block, a strap, and having a chair, and blanket it nice too. Don’t forget your yoga mat, if you have a slippery floor surface!
Gear for Healthy Backs Beginner Yoga Class with Gail
Typically we start out on our backs or seated on the chair for those of you who want this option.
What we do in class
Breathing
Mindful Movement
Meditation
Guided Rest & Relaxation
Gratitude Practice
I hope to see you in class! Here’s the link to get a free account and then book a free yoga class
Gentle Yoga and Tai Chi with Gail 
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