Research
Our research focuses on yoga’s effectiveness in the social care sector, in particular delivering regular chair yoga sessions to residents in UK care homes. A 6-month feasibility study in five Hertfordshire care homes revealed:
Mental health benefits
Including decreases in stress and anxiety, alleviation from depression and improvements in overall sense of wellbeing – feeling more relaxed and positive.
“Gets your mind working on positive things …”
Physical health benefits
Including improvements in strength and balance – better able to perform activities of daily living.
“I have found it has … strengthened my stomach muscles … I have been able to control my movements better.”
Social benefits
With increases in social contact – doing yoga in a group reduces social isolation.
“[We’re] all together, and it’s friendly.”
Care home testimonials
“[The chair yoga activity] has reduced the number of falls and it has improved their mobility … The complaints have reduced … [the residents] are so much happier with the little things.’
“I would recommend it to anyone in any home and I’m sure they would all benefit by it.”