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!
How to see Veterans Yoga Project Online Studio on my big TV Screen
I often get asked how I setup for teaching online yoga classes. I’ll just briefly give you an outline of what equipment I use, etc.
A quick photo of my setup for teaching online, and for taking classes online. Left to Right. Ipad, Adapter Lightening Cord, Laptop, Surge protector with my PC, and Apple Charging cord connected, HDMI cord connecting to the back of my TV, Roku device plugged into the other HDMI port, and my older not so smart (ha ha) TV, with the VYP app displayed from my ipad onto the tv.
I teach from my PC and attached camera. Then I have a second screen, where I can do gallery view, to watch the students on my somewhat bigger TV Screen.
A little background, about nine years ago, when I was teaching some educational classes in my home, I would use the apple adapter cord into my ipad/pc, and my televisions’s hdmi cord to view onto my TV. I had a different type of adaptor that I would use for my PC/Mac.
Since then I use the same cord to use as a connection, to display larger onto my Smart TV.
One needs a Smart TV. You use the Roku app on the Smart TV to connect to an iphone/ipad device app. This might be a bit difficult to figure out, as one needs to look at the “streaming store” and find the appropriate “app” for the HDMI hooking up service.
Roku device hooked up to the back of their TV, or a Smart TV that has Roku integrated within the system. ~ $45
A HDMI cord – which plugs into the Apple adaptor cord and into the HDMI port on the smart tv. ~ $10
I use a surge protector strip to plug in for power to the apple charging cord.
When I started teaching online for VYP almost five years ago, I just used the same cord system.
There are other methods to connect to a smart tv, depending if you are using a PC, an android. I’ve used Chromecast, but it was rather cludgy.
When I teach in person at a gym, I sometimes play indoor walking workouts for my clients, prior to the tai chi or yoga class. The facility has an overhead projector system. I’m able to use the cord again, and “cast” onto the large theatre display, using their bluetooth connection technology.
Apple Adapter cord.
Apple adapter into my ipad, with the hdmi cord, and my apple charger cord coming out.
My setup for teaching and taking online classes.
Left to Right. Ipad/Apple adaptor cord, PC, Camera, surge protector strip cord. My PC, Apple Charger cord in the strip cord. Smart TV with a Roku in the back plugged in (it is an older Smart TV), then on the screen I have the VYP app on screen, as it shows up on the Ipad.
One must turn off the audio on the Ipad, or you’ll have reverb/echo noise. I also turn off the volume on the TV, and only use the volume from the PC. Their setup may be different as they will not have the PC or the Ipad both running at the same time. So the sound could either be from their Ipad/Iphone or PC or the Smart TV. It takes a bit to figure this stuff out.
Questions? Complaints? Comments? Complements? Let me know!
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!
Beat the Winter Blues: Chair Tai Chi for Energy & Vitality
New year, new you resolutions. But alas, folks tend to drop off on their new years resolutions as soon as February hits.
Let’s beat the winter blues, by registering and booking a chair tai chi class!
Over on Veterans Yoga Project twice a month (alternating every week) I teach a Chair Tai Chi class in the online studio on Wednesdays at 1 PM CDT.
Here’s the link to the book the class. If you aren’t registered yet on the online studio, the link will also give you an opportunity to register, then you can “book” the class. Here’s the link to make that happen
Due to folks wanting a second class during the popular 1 PM CDT time slot, a second class is being offered on Friday at 1 PM CDT. This class after much deliberation will be Chair Yoga for Fall Prevention. We have a lot of Veterans, family members, friends who are concerned about falling, so this class is to help you strengthen and balance better!
Gear needed for this class: A block, yoga strap, two chairs. Optional equipment: theraband, access to a wall, yoga mat.
Gentle Yoga and Tai Chi with Gail 
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