Recently I was asked to run a short session at a local women’s group (Merched y Wawr, lit. Women of the dawn) meeting. The women range from 40s up to 80s, with most of them over 60. I knew we’d be in a small-ish room, and that nearly all of them had never done yoga before. I wanted to do some simple seated stretches that would begin to mobilise their joints and which would start to loosen off areas that tend to be tight or stiff. And I also wanted to do quite a bit of it in a chair so that the older ones would still be able to take part. I didn’t want to put them off yoga by doing complicated things, but neither did I want it to be bland and not challenging.
After a little talk about what yoga is, we got going. They all took part, and were brilliant! There were quite a few giggles, not least as the session was in Welsh and my Welsh isn’t the best, especially not my vocab of parts of the body! I also prepared a handout with some of what we’d done so that they could take it away and maybe practise at home. Feedback after the session was really positive and they all enjoyed it.
If you want to take a look at the handout it’s here – it’s ideal for beginners, older people, very stiff people, or as a gentle set of stretches for a daily routine. You can download it for free from the link.
To blow my own trumpet, here’s some of the feedback: “…roedd hi’n dweud pa mor ffab oedd pawb yn meddwl oedd y sesiwn ioga wnes ti – felly rwy’n credu bod pawb, fel fi, wedi meddwl bod y sesiwn yn llawn o’r ‘wowerger!’ ffactor.” (Trans: “she said how fab everyone thought the yoga session was, therefore I think everyone, like me, thought the session was full of the ‘wow’ factor.” And special thanks from me to Elin for asking me to do a session with the group.
If you’re looking for a yoga book for older people, I would recommend ‘Keep moving, keep young’ by Margaret Graham or even ‘Office yoga’ by Julie Friedeberger. Both are quite old books now but you may be able to pick them up second hand.
It’s great to have the challenge of doing a different type of class. Really brings all the skills and experience together and proves that yoga is for everyone.
Yes, and then hearing how they’ve enjoyed it is especially good!
Shame you didn’t get any pics of people enjoying the session.
Oh, I didn’t think of that.
Glad your session went well and that my book is helpful. Keep Moving Keep Young is available from: Conker Productions, 1 Langley Lane, Ifield, Crawley, W Sussex, RH11 ONB
Price: £9.50 inc p&p Cheque made out to M Graham please
Dear Margaret, thanks for the information about your book, and I’m glad your book is still available. I’ll recommend it to others!
How lovely to hear from a person who I have admired for years. Since finding Margaret Grahams book I have referred to it many times and recommended it to many people. I have also loaned it and given it to those who will appreciate its value. I have lost count of how many I have bought, new and used, but always keep a copy on my bookshelf.
I know, it was lovely to see Margaret’s message! I think you suggested her book to me initially.
When my book ‘Keep Moving,Keep Young’ finally went out of print with Hodder there was still a demand so I updated and reprinted it under ‘Conker Productions’.
This publication is still available from me price £9.50 (inc P&P). Please email conkerproduction@hotmail.com if you are interested.