National Family Caregivers Month Special Event: Gentle Chair Yoga with Yoga4Caregivers (online session)
Studies have shown that yoga can have a positive impact on your health and well-being and is especially beneficial to family caregivers. For example, caregivers who engage in a regular practice may benefit from reduced feelings of stress and anxiety, decreased symptoms of depression, and improved sleep. For many, yoga may seem like an intimidating pursuit because of injuries, balance issues, or unfamiliarity. But in fact, yoga is accessible to everyone regardless of age, and physical ability. A chair is used as prop to help you to access your expression of the pose and support your body. Chair yoga can help you safely and comfortably reap the benefits of yoga and improve your overall health and well-being.
Objectives
- Discover that cultivating awareness of the body can help you to relieve stress and overwhelm
- Learn calming breathing techniques to improve resilience during challenging times
- Explore how the practice of gentle yoga as self-care can empower you to be a calmer and patient caregiver
Presenter: Ellen MacKay
Ellen MacKay is the Co-Director of Yoga4Caregivers and is an experienced, trauma-informed yoga teacher, trained social worker and former family caregiver.
About Yoga4Caregivers
Yoga4Caregivers is a social impact initiative that helps caregivers to feel connected, empowered and supported on and off the yoga mat. Their Caregiver Kula, or intentional community of the heart, is an online wellness community that is supported by a dedicated team of wellness professions who understand the challenges caregivers face. Yoga4Caregivers, founded by Jennifer Henius, LCSW, is open to all caregivers and their supporters and partners with nonprofits, healthcare systems and others to make yoga and wellness accessible to caregivers through classes, workshops, retreats and more. You can learn more by visiting Yoga4Caregivers or find them on social media here: Facebook Instagram
How to prepare for the Chair Yoga Class
- Use any sturdy chair (no wheels) and put it in a safe space in an area with no sharp edges
- Wear comfortable clothes
- Practice in your bare feet or slip resistant shoes
- Have water nearby
- Listen to your body, do not ever push or strain to do a pose, stay in your body’s feel-good comfort zone
- Be open to the experience
- Give yourself permission to enjoy this time for your self-care
This event is funded in part by Alameda County Department of Adult and Aging Services, Contra Costa County Area Agency on Aging, the City of San Francisco’s Department of Disability and Aging Services, San Mateo County Aging and Adult Services, Sourcewise, and the California Department of Aging.
This special event is sponsored by Aetna.
Sponsorship of this event does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by FCA.