Bringing Yoga to Seniors with Compassion and CaringTraditional yoga on the mat originated in India thousands of years ago and the techniques were practiced by the ancients as a way to keep mind and body healthy and happy. More recently, in the last century, Yoga came to the West and has become popular in gyms and yoga studios. Chair Yoga has also gained momentum over the years for people who cannot get to the mat due to illness or physical limitations or perhaps need a break in the office as a way to keep fit. In 2008, Anita Rangaswami started teaching Chair yoga and Pranayama breathing techniques to her mother Malathi, who had several ailments including asthma and spondulosis. Her history of asthma for over 30 years coupled with early Alzheimers disease made it a challenge to teach her basic breathing patterns. But over a period of time, with a consistent chair yoga routine of deep breathing and adapted postures, Malathi was able to learn to breathe through her nose and strengthen her arms as well. The impetus for sharing these techniques in the senior community came as Anita saw the benefits of a change in attitude, increased confidence, and general happiness in her mother. She developed a routine of breathing techniques followed by highly modified yoga postures and started taking her mother to various Senior Centers, where she shared the techniques. |