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De-Mystifying Fly Fishing
I remember the first time I saw someone fly fishing. I think I was five years old. My father, my sister and I had back packed to a remote alpine lake. My trusty Zebco with the closed face push button casting reel, cork bobber and jar of Puatzke’s,...
Examining Martial Arts Styles
Generally speaking the term "martial arts" creates the mental picture of a person in white kicking with a leg or chopping with an arm. This illustrates one of a number of misconceptions associated with the martial arts, in particular the belief that...
Karate a History
Although the basic forms of self defense are probably as old as the human race, the art of karate as it is practiced today can be traced directly to the Okinawan technique called, in Japanese, Okinawate-te (Okinawa Hands). This system of defense...
Tatami flooring for Yoga, Martial Arts and Judo schools
InterlockingFloormat.com is expanding their partnership with all Yoga, Martial Arts, Judo, Karate, Aikido, Tae Kuan Do, and exercise schools. The partnership program will promote all Yoga and Martial Arts schools on its partner webpage. All...
The Relationship between Yoga, Meditation, and Self-Hypnosis
Each one of these healing methods is thousands of years old. The
exact origins of meditation and self-hypnosis are not known. We
do know that Yoga existed over 5,000 years ago in the Indus
Valley. Despite the evidence that each of these methods...
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Your First Chair Yoga Class in a Senior Center
Chair Yoga has become more popular in senior centers, but can
also be found in nursing homes, physical rehabilitation units,
adult day care centers, and some Yoga studios. However, the vast
majority of us will attend a Chair Yoga class in a senior center.
You should consult your family physician and get the "go ahead,"
before starting any exercise program. If possible, visit, or
call the senior center, to find out about their policies and
general guidelines. When it is your first class, it is a good
idea to get into the front row, so you can clearly see and hear
your Yoga teacher.
When you need extra advice, or have a particular health
condition, you should talk to your teacher before, or after, the
class. Your Yoga teacher will give advice and show
modifications, throughout the class, but when you have questions
that concern your safety and health, you should ask right away.
This is not something that should be put on the "back burner."
Within the senior center staff structure, there are volunteers,
paid staff, and management. They are all extremely helpful. Seek
help and you will find an abundance of it. If the business world
ran like this, we would all be happy customers.
You don't have to bring any special equipment to a Chair Yoga
class. Most senior centers have more than enough chairs to
accommodate everyone. Some Chair Yoga classes do use mats, as
well as chairs, but this is more the exception than the rule. If
the center uses mats, in part of the
class, you will have to
take your shoes off.
Most senior centers have hard floors with tile over cement. In
this case, you should wear good sneakers, tennis shoes, or
aerobic shoes. This will allow your shoes to grip the floor, to
prevent potential slipping accidents. It also gives your feet
and joints some cushion from the hard surface.
There is no need to buy special clothes. You should wear
comfortable clothing that does not restrict your movement. Don't
wear anything tight around the waist. This will bother your
stomach during some of the bending or twisting movements.
You should never push or strain into a Yoga posture. This can
cause a variety of injuries from very slight to serious.
Therefore, stay in the "comfort zone." No one really knows how
your body feels, except you.
If the class is large, it will be held in a large room, like a
dining hall. Expect some distractions, with people coming, and
going, from different activities, within the senior center. This
is not ideal for meditation, but the physical rewards, and new
friends you gain, will make up for it.
© Copyright 2005 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
About the author:
Paul Jerard is the director of Yoga teacher training at Aura in
RI. He's a master instructor of martial arts and Yoga. He
teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness. He wrote: Is Running a
Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students wanting to be a
Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org
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