Chair Yoga with Erika

Times: Monday 11am – 12pm | Thursday 11am – 12pm

Teacher: Erika

Low Impact. Yoga is an ancient form of health exercise with many physical, emotional (psychological) and spiritual (or quality of life) benefits for people of all ages and abilities – including people whose lives are affected by arthritis. Various forms of yoga exist, but generally all involve positioning the body in a range of poses, combined with coordinated breathing and meditation exercises. Dr David Hunter, Professor of Medicine at The University of Sydney, is a rheumatologist epidemiologist specialising in osteoarthritis. He also practises yoga. He says regular, moderate exercise is critical for people with arthritis, particularly those with osteoarthritis. Exercise improves the integrity and function of the muscles around the joints, ultimately reducing stiffness, pain and swelling.

“Simply by virtue of the activity involved in yoga, it can help with the performance and function of the musculoskeletal system,” he says. “In addition, yoga can help with breathing performance and increased mental energy. Anxiety and depression are common problems for people who have arthritis.”

Dr Hunter acknowledges that arthritis can affect people in different ways and that yoga might not be suitable for everyone. The known benefits of yoga are not the only reason people like to do yoga. Some do it purely for the physical enjoyment, others for relaxation and others who have been doing it for a while find they come to enjoy it for spiritual or emotional reasons.