The second Friday of every month you can find me leading a Chair Yoga session at the South Burnaby Neighbourhood House. I usually arrive early to help with the set up. This involves clearing plates/food off tables, wiping down the tablecloths, folding tables and moving chairs around. I am happy to help. I get to chat with the members a little bit before the ‘yoga’ begins. To me, this is part of the yoga session because it is all about CONNECTION.

Concentration = Balance

The Chair used as a Balance prop.

What fun…hanging out at the Wellness Fair today, sponsored by the Department of Justice.

Spreading the word on Yoga Toes

I ‘shmoozed’ with other health promoting people (i.e. Yamuna Body Rolling, Drumming & Health, the Running Room, Dr. Dossa the chiropractor, Azuryoga, and many others) and SPREAD (pun intended) the word to all on the benefits of Yoga Toes.

Thank you Matthew Canzer (counsel) for including AGELESSYOGA.

Are You Joining Us?
March 5 – 12, 2013

Yoga Instructor: Annette Wertman
Puerto Escondido, Mexico

Package includes:

yoga classes twice daily
beach-side massage
evening of salsa
afternoon of authentic Mexican cooking lesson
horseback ride along the beach at sunset
ocean cruise to see dolphins and sea turtles
trip to nearby lagoon surrounded by mangrove trees

info@casadelmar-mexico.com

778-898-2949

relax after yoga - relax before yoga - relax with yoga

This drop-in yoga program has breathed it’s way into twice a week. We now practice together on Monday mornings (9am – 10am), using the chair as a prop, and Saturday afternoons (1:30pm – 2:30pm) using the mat and/or a chair.

Sometimes we practice to yoga music, sometimes to reggae music and sometimes we practice to the music of silence. All the classes start with eye contact and hello to all, followed by minutes of stillness, as we become centered….focusing on our breath.

By the middle of the session you can often find us doing the Macarena or learning new steps to the Hora. What a fun way to get that heart rate up!

Now, when we meet each other in the elevator, or the mail room or the garage, or by the recycling bins, we smile….knowing we have OMed together.

Chair Salutation with a Twist

The Chair Yoga demonstration session for Poppy Residences in Burnaby last Monday, January 28th went very well. This complimentary class was sponsored by the Council of Senior Citizens’ Organizations of British Columbia (COSCO) of which I am an active member.

The participants (9 ladies and 1 gentleman) had never experienced a yoga class before and seemed pleasantly surprised at how much they enjoyed the breathing, the stretching, the massage, and the savasana – even in a CHAIR!

As Ara said to me (back last summer)….”Changing the world….one chair at a time!”

Improve Your Flexibility and Balance

Who is Chair Yoga for?

• People of all ages and abilities that find traditional yoga uncomfortable and/or inaccessible
• Older adults, people with physical limitations and/or restrictions
• People with health issues such as high blood pressure, anxiety, fatigue, arthritis, vertigo, multiple sclerosis, menopause, osteoporosis, carpal tunnel syndrome, depression, and chronic pain

Benefits of Chair Yoga

• Encompasses all aspects of an individual: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual
• Increases: strength, flexibility, concentration, balance, energy, range of motion, breathing capacity, circulation and confidence
• Encourages: quiet reflection, relaxation, proper breathing, better posture and a sense of well being

What Will You Experience?

Breathing techniques and modified traditional yoga poses in a supportive group atmosphere.

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Shabbat Chair Yoga at the Jewish Community Center continues to be an illuminating experience for all those involved.

Styles of yoga now include Yin and Kundalini. The students are also dancing – doing the Macarena and the Hora!

We spend much of the time just using the chair as a prop, as we practice our balance!

Come, drop-in for $5.00, and check out this fun yoga class. Your body, mind and soul will be glad you did!

Students at the Vancouver Yoga Show Chair Yoga Teacher Training Workshop had fun today – but somewhat of a surprise – they learnt the Macarena and the Hora dances (adapted for the older or less mobile adult). Yoga instructor, Annette Wertman, suggests that dancing is a good way to practice balance, cognitive skills (such as attention, body awareness and concentration) and loosen up…. all at the same time!

This workshop focussed on understanding the why, who for, where and how of  teaching Chair Yoga.

Some of the things the students said they learnt included:

that traditional poses can be modified (like Downward Dog), that touch can be an important part of teaching, that humour is an important ingredient of a class, that yoga toes are very beneficial, that there are lots of ways to encourage good yoga breathing, that it is essential to inhale to lengthen the spine (before moving into an asana) and that it is really, truly, all about building relationships and connecting with people!

Oh yes…. don’t forget the Mantra – SBD!

Annette will be presenting Chair Yoga Fusion and Chair Yoga for Balance & Flexibility at the upcoming Toronto Yoga Show in March 2013.

Yoga Toes Fashion Show

Yoga Toes
regular use can help your feet stay healthy

• ž Provide greater toe & ankle flexibility

• ž Improve arches & circulation in your legs

• ž Stretch & strengthen leg muscles and achilles tendon

• ž Ease discomfort of hammertoes, bunions, corns, varicose veins & plantar fasciitis

• ž Improve postural alignment

• ž Stimulate nerves and connective tissue

• ž Relieve stress & recover from strain

• ž Increase foot strength & improve appearance

'Let Bidet' yoga asana - The Married Way.

Lola, a private student, has been practicing yoga regularly for 2 years. She is 91 years young and is determined to stay as strong as her abilities allow.

In this photo she demonstrates ‘Utkatasana’ – the Chair Pose, as her husband, Marcelle,  of 97 years, keeps her support stable. This is truly a team effort!

This is YOGA.

relax by the pool or walk along the beach after yoga class

Are You Joining Us?

March 5 – 12, 2013

Yoga Instructor: Annette Wertman
Puerto Escondido, Mexico

Package includes:

yoga classes twice daily
beach-side massage
evening of salsa
afternoon of authentic Mexican cooking lesson
horseback ride along the beach at sunset
ocean cruise to see dolphins and sea turtles
trip to nearby lagoon surrounded by mangrove trees

info@casadelmar-mexico.com

breathing & stretching & having FUN!

Check out Page 5 of the Vancouver Yoga Conference and Show guide. This is what you will read:

Friday November 9th 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm FR2WER

Chair Yoga

This workshop is designed for yoga teachers who are interested in expanding their yoga instruction to serve older adults and students with………..

Sunday November 11th 11:30 am – 6:30 pm SUIWER

Chair Yoga

Learn how to safely and effectively teach Chair Yoga. This workshop is designed for yoga teachers who are individuals seeking to experience the benefits of Chair Yoga. Health professionals who work with older adults may also benefits from this workshop………

Annette Wertman (MA Student, Gerontology) will be hosting workshops at the upcoming CAG2012 and the Vancouver YOGA Conference (Vancouver Convention Centre, Nov 9-11, 2012)

Annette Wertman has a very busy life. As a M.A. candidate in the Department of Gerontology at Simon Fraser University, she has combined her skills as a certified yoga instructor with her knowledge of the importance of active aging. Annette is passionate about growing older gracefully…and she believes that yoga can provide many of the necessary health benefits that can result from regular, appropriate exercise. Due to concern of the increase in the aging population, Annette has been accepted to present Chair Yoga workshops at many conferences and conventions this past year.

Breathing & Stretching & Smiling - What fun!

The next Chair Yoga workshop will be given at the 41st Annual Scientific and Educational Meeting of the Canadian Association on Gerontology, CAG2012: Aging in a Changing World, to be held here in Vancouver, October 18-21, 2012. This meeting is hosted by Simon Fraser University. For more information: http://bit.ly/CAG2012prog or http://www.cagacg.ca/home.aspx