Yoga for Seniors and Chronic Conditions (Monday Term 2 2024)

What it is all about?

Yoga for Seniors and Chronic Conditions is a series of gentle, restorative classes that can help boost energy and reduce pain, through the pillars of yoga practice – postures, breath work, meditation and mindfulness.

Classes are designed for anyone experiencing aches and pains, chronic health challenges including long covid, fatigue and/or mobility issues, or simply wanting a gentle nurturing practice. They are suitable for both beginners and seasoned Yoga practitioners of all abilities, and our experienced tutor Chitra will modify the class to your individual needs. Most exercises will be performed in a chair.

What will we cover?

Classes will include instruction and practice in:

• Yoga postures to encourage the body through its full range of natural movement, build flexibility and strength and help to balance and bring good health to all our bodily systems.
• Guided deep relaxation to invite body and mind to profoundly relax, recharge and heal.
• Yoga breathing and meditation techniques to help us energize, cleanse and harmonize all levels of our being and bring peace and calm to the mind.

Classes are suited to all levels of experience with Yoga and are tailored to suit varying needs and abilities. Sessions include Yoga asana (postures), Yoga nidra (guided deep relaxation), pranayama (breathing practices) and meditation, ending with peace chants where we can offer the benefits of our practice out into the world.

Chitra will offer a wide range of options for how to practice each technique, including chair versions if getting up and down from the floor is tricky for you, encouraging everyone to be in the moment, to honour their own bodies and have fun!

Note: Please confirm with your doctor that it is safe for you to attend a gentle yoga class before enrolling.

Who will be teaching?

Chitra Stern has been teaching Yoga since 1989, in Australia, India and the USA. She has trained with the Gita School of Yoga in Melbourne and with Integral Yoga in the USA, and is certified to teach Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced and Pre-natal/post partum Integral Yoga Hatha classes. She has also completed Integral Yoga Stress Management Teacher Training and has trained with Amy Weintraub, completing level 1 and 2 Yoga for Depression teacher trainings. Chitra is also a Level 1 Integral Yoga teacher trainer. Her focus in Yoga is on opening to our natural inner peace, freedom and joy by letting go of competition, accepting and enjoying ourselves as we are, being present in the moment and having fun!

Term 2 2024 Information

Yoga for Seniors and Chronic Conditions will run for 10 weeks, commencing Monday 15th of April 2024 until Monday 24th of June 2024 (there is no class on Monday 10 June due to King's birthday public holiday). The cost for the 10 weeks course is $150. Classes run between 11.15am - 12.15pm on Mondays.

If you wish to join the class after the term has begun, our booking system will allow you to book for the remaining classes - assuming there is space.

If you wish to book for a single class, rather than the full term, the cost is $15 per class. Single class bookings are only possible once the term has started - assuming there is space.

Classes will be held in person at the Woodend Neighbourhood House and online via zoom. Optional attendance at additional Hatha Yoga classes via zoom is included at no additional charge – details and links to all zoom classes will be provided with your booking.

Attending face-to-face classes: Please aim to arrive a few minutes early so you can settle in and relax.

To help keep our practice safe, please bring your own Yoga mat, blanket and cushion/bolster and any other props you have and like to use. If you do not have a Yoga mat, bring a blanket and large towel.

PLEASE NOTE: We are currently taking expressions of interest for a Wednesday class between 11.15am - 12.15pm during Term 2. This class will only run once the Monday class is close to capacity. Please register your interest via our website if the Wednesday class is of interest.