Yoga for Seniors: Try Out a Class at JCHC

 

Yoga is ideal for seniors seeking to relieve stress and clear their mind. Regular practice will not only improve balance and mobility, but it may also help ease back pain, relieve depression, and even reduce blood pressure for older adults with hypertension. It’s important to note that improving balance and mobility will directly impact a senior’s likelihood of falling. The more agile you are, the less likely you are to fall – it’s really that simple. So, what are you waiting for? Now is the time to try out yoga! If you’re not sure what type of yoga to start with, don’t worry – the team at the Jewish Community Housing Corporation has put together a list of the 3 most popular types of yoga for seniors. 

Chair Yoga 

This beginner yoga class is best for seniors just starting out, or seniors with injuries, chronic conditions or who have trouble balancing. The chair allows you to perform yoga poses while sitting or standing. Some classes may lead with chair poses exclusively, but many beginner-friendly classes will let you choose whether or not to use the chair for each pose.

Senior chair yoga classes at Lester Senior Living are led daily by our activity assistant, Kendra Asfor. Pictured on the right are Frances Goroll (front) and Gertrude Perlman (back), assisted living residents who regularly participate in chair yoga at Lester. This picture was from Frances’ 100th birthday – she actually led the class that day! Frances exercises daily and says it helps keep her going. 

If you are interested in taking senior yoga classes at our assisted living building in Morris County, NJ, please contact Lester Senior Living today. 

Restorative Yoga 

Restorative yoga classes focus more on stress relief and relaxation, rather than moving from one pose to another. This type of yoga is recommended for seniors recovering from an injury. Poses in this class are held for a longer period of time in order to strengthen the injured area, as well as to relax your mind. Using objects like yoga blocks, cushions and straps will help support your body in all restorative yoga poses. 

Hatha Yoga

“Hatha” refers to the standard practice of yoga. In general, you can expect a hatha yoga class to be basic with slower movements that pair breathing exercises with postures. It’s more active than restorative yoga, so it is recommended for seniors who have had a little experience with yoga already. With that said, most hatha yoga instructors expect to have all different types of “yogis” attend with various experience levels. They should provide appropriate modifications for each experience level. However, it’s important to call the fitness center in question ahead of time to make sure the hatha class can suit your needs. 

Active Senior Living in Morris County, New Jersey

All of the JCHC senior communities in New Jersey have experienced staff members on-site to help support and engage the most active lifestyle for each resident. We strive to provide a variety of fitness options, so all residents have the chance to enjoy and take charge of their health and wellness. 

Have you been wanting to try yoga? Head down to the fitness center for a chair yoga class in our Lester Senior Living building. Our instructors take the time to modify the class for each resident’s fitness level and provide essential one-on-one support when needed. Not to mention, we love to have fun and try new poses weekly! 

For more information on all of our senior activities, please visit our website at: https://jchcorp.org/activities-for-seniors-nj/

Original content posted on https://jchcorp.org/yoga-for-seniors-at-jchc/