Compassionate movement for Seniors
Does your elderly loved one lack opportunities for movement?
One-on-one Yoga Therapy sessions
Yoga therapy will introduce and maintain a level of movement, strengthening and relaxation response work into the lives of sedentary seniors and those living with dementia. Through highly personalized mind/body practices, benefits can be seen in the mood, energy level and reactivity of dementia patients.
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Sessions or classes are conducted online, in client's residence or studio on Piedmont Ave in Oakland.
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Exercise is the number one activity prescribed by clinicians for dementia at all stages, and studies show that mindfulness practices are directly linked to slowing the disease. Therapeutic yoga is a combination of strength work, mindful movement and other restorative mind/body techniques which are proven to slow down shrinking in the brain regions altered by neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimers.
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A weekly session of gentle movement with focus on engagement, fitness and discovery.
Sessions typically take place in the private home or residence of the patient.
Caregivers are welcome to participate in order to learn how to facilitate beneficial practices.
When appropriate, the therapist will present practices to increase heart rate activity breath capacity and blood flow to the brain.
Each session meets the patient where they are at– sessions can be at one’s bedside, wheelchair, outdoors, while subject is on oxygen, etc.
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Research shows that yoga is better than exercise in improving mood in the dementia population.
After several visits the patient displays muscle memory demonstrated by therapeutic breathing practices previously taught. These practices are highly conducive to balancing an agitated nervous system.
Guided mind/body techniques and relaxation practices can energize a depressed or fatigued person, as well as calm an anxious or tense one.
In private sessions there is a “window of opportunity” allowing for the creation of a compassionate healing relationship between patient and therapist.
Yoga is proven to reduce the stress hormones and inflammatory factors which contribute to the disease.
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Schedule a trial session below.
Invite Dena to do an in-service with your group to demo mind/body practices for dementia
Call Dena to discuss how yoga therapy can help alleviate your loved one’s panic attacks, anxiety or depression
Explore our other trainings, including Caregiver Trainings
Classes for Seniors
Chair Yoga & Gentle Yoga
Class Schedule:
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Chair Yoga for Seniors via ZOOM
J-Sei Senior Center
1285 66th St, Emeryville, CAContact Dena or the Center to join!
Caregiver Training
Equip your daily caregiver with the skills to vitalize the patient, promote movement and enable relaxation
Learn more>>
The benefits of yoga extend well beyond regular exercise.
Yoga can improve flexibility, strength, balance, agility, heart health, joint health, decrease anxiety and balance your nervous system. And very importantly, brain health, which is a major factor in chronic conditions which afflict the elderly. Furthermore, a therapeutic relationship is established between the student and therapist, compassionate support combined with mind/body exercise builds resilience.
Our brains are fed by a network of nerves and throughout the normal aging process these nerves will shrink and weaken with age. Nerves transport information from our organs and all systems of the body to the brain. Unfortunately the aging process often leads to increases in inflammation, and decreases in sensorimotor processing, postural control and circulation. There is evidence to show that compromised circulation can lead to memory loss and early onset dementia.
So how can we prevent or slow the progression of the aging process and the chronic conditions we find in the elderly?
Doing yoga loosens muscles and fascia which restrict nerves. Our flexibility slowly decreases as we age, and is exacerbated by a sedentary lifestyle. Our muscle fibers shrink and lose mass, and our connective tissue (fascia) dries out. In addition, the tendons and ligaments in our body lose water content and therefore become stiffer. Furthermore, there is a natural breakdown of cartilage even for those who do not suffer from arthritis, coupled by inflammation in the joints. Such inflammation reduces our range of motion, and can be painful and restrict movement.
How can we decrease swelling and bring nutrition to our joints?
Gentle yoga movements which are non weight-bearing but strengthening to the muscles and healing to the nervous system. With a prescribed practice with a certified Yoga Therapist motor skills and postural control can be improved. The beneficial results of this work very much extends to brain health as seen through much scientific evidence in the realm of our brain's plasticity and our ability to change and heal. There is nothing more detrimental than a sedentary lifestyle. Treat yourself or your loved one to a new way of being, actively growing healthier and more empowered despite the number of years lived.