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Living Life After 50
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Vol. 28, No. 2
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STRETCH THOSE LIMBS — Using a strap, Barb Wheele stretches a leg during a chair yoga class at Banta Activity Center in Valparaiso.
Text and Photos By STEVE EUVINO Feature Writer
Cliff Rice
Elder Law Attorney
Northwest editioN reachiNg seNiors iN illiaNa: cook, lake & Porter couNties
May 2024
Ch air
(219) 462-0809
STRAPPED UP — Chair yoga participants at Banta Activity Center use straps during exercises. Props, including blocks, are part of the class. NATURAL SOUNDS — Class instructor Jan Green strikes crystal containers for meditative sounds during chair yoga at Banta Activity Center in Valparaiso.
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The lighting is dimmed. Gentle music adds to the atmosphere. Participants are placed in a setting where people of all abilities can feel relaxed and centered, away from the noises and outside events of the day. Another class of chair yoga has begun at Banta Activity Center in Valparaiso. Led by Jan Green and Mary Lebio, yoga instructors from Ohm Studio in the city, the 45-minute class has been meeting Thursdays since January. A school bus driver, Green said chair yoga is about “strength, power and medita-
offers
c d n time for relaxing a
tion, for all ages and all abilities.” Although the class currently meets once a week, Green has a vision of expanding the program. While parts of the class are physical, there is a mental side as well, Lebio pointed out. “Our aim is for people to become centered and find energy from the group and the community,” she said, “and coming to a thought for the day.” Although chair yoga did not originate in India, the instructors incorporate some Indian mysticism in the class.
Depending on class size, participants meet in a circle. “We like to use meditation,” Green said, “so they can stay in the circle.” According to “Medical News Today,” chair yoga has medical benefits, especially for seniors. This form of yoga can benefit seniors who have difficulty with balance or who want to improve their strength while minimizing the risk of a fall. Other benefits include improved strength and balance, help for those with arthritis, reduced joint pain and re-
e t en
duced fear of falls. In addition, evidence has shown that chair yoga improves quality of life in older adults. Additional pluses, similar to those from regular yoga, include improved circulation, pain management, mental well-being and stress reduction. The two instructors like to incorporate props in class. These include straps, blocks, and crystal bowls for sounds. “Crystal comes from nature,” Green explained, “and we’re creating natural sounds from nature.”
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Yanqun One, attending her first class, enjoyed the experience. “I liked the sounds, as I was made to feel very relaxed,” she said. “The teachers are very professional and they taught us well. I feel very comfortable now.” As classes begin, instructors work to encourage participants to relax, offering time to meditate, occasionally using excerpts from a book or quotations. Stretching exercises commence, as class members warm up their ankles and toes. Straps are used in stretching leg muscles. Breathing exercises are also included. Class member Sandy Hart noted, “The class is relaxing Continued on page 2
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Porter County Office:506 Evans Avenue Lake County Office:
County 1st Office: Lake Plum County Office: 409Porter E. Lincolnway, Floor Creek Center Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 57 Street, Suite 203 409Franklin E. Lincolnway, 1st Floor Creek Center Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 222Plum Indianapolis Blvd., Suite 207 Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 222 Indianapolis Blvd., Suite 207 Phone: (219) 548-0980 Phone: (219) 548-0980 Schererville, Indiana 46375 Schererville, Indiana 46375 , LLC Phone: (219) 548-0980Fax: (219) 548-0993 Fax: (219) Phone/Fax: 227-4884 Fax: (219)548-0993 548-0993 Phone/Fax: (219)(219) 227-4884 *Certified as an Elder Law Attorney the National Elder Law Foundation *Certified as an Elder Lawby Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation
Connie Bauswell, CELA* Connie L.L.Bauswell, CELA* www.conniebauswell.com www.conniebauswell.com