Benefits Of Chair Yoga - Part 3

Flexibility is considered to be a “by product” of Yoga practice, but in the case of Chair Yoga, it is often “down played” or taken for granted.
Since most Chair Yoga enthusiasts are seniors, the true value of felxibility is mobility.

When you consider that mobiilty for seniors can be the difference between dependence and independence, flexibility is now of extreme value.The following is an observation I have made after working with groups from assisted living complexes, adult day care centers, nursing homes, and seniors centers. The average mobile senior citizen is much more flexible in the hips, spine, wrists, and shoulders, than his or her dependent counterpart.Just crossing the legs can be difficult for the clients I work with in a nusring home. Students in Chair Yoga classes learn a variety of exercises that will “free up” many of the major joints.
Many studnets also remark how pain, from a variety of ailments, is much more manageable, after practicing Chair Yoga.Increased range of motion makes a difference, when reaching for anything. It also helps to prevent injuries that can ocucr from strain or a possible fall.

If a senior falls, there is certainly the potential that the results could be life threatening.Chair Yoga offers a signifciant number of balancing exercises.

Although balance can be affected by medication, inner ear problems, and more, many seniors show much improvement in balacning their bodies within weeks of their first Chair Yoga class. Therefore, flexibility and balance are a significant part of an injury prevention package that can improve, or enhance, the quality of life for seinors. This fact has been realized by seniors who flock to Chair Yoga classes on a daily, or weekly, basis.Most of us realize that physical conditioning is not the only factor involved in dependence. There are a numebr of disabling diseases that can affect any one of us and have nothing to do with lack of flexibility.
Lack of flexibility is not the signle overriding factor involved in independence for seniors.However, it is a fact that less mobile, and frail, seniors will become confined. Hence, most seniors should make an effrot to stay flexible, for what is ultimately their own dignity at stake.
You could look at your physical condition as an insurance policy for independent living. After all, who really wants to impose on their kids or relatives for the sake of existence?