Free Yoga For Seniors Lesson Plan
Free Yoga Lesson Plan Downloads
Short Lesson Plan
Yoga For Seniors Lesson Plan (short plan)
Each yoga lesson plan you create within the Yoga Genie Lesson Planner comes with a short version of the lesson plan. The short version is perfect for taking into class with you. It’s short and sweet.
Long Lesson Plan
Yoga For Seniors Lesson Plan (long plan)
Each yoga lesson plan you create within the Yoga Genie Lesson Planner comes with a long version of the lesson plan. The long version has everything you need to practice the lesson plan before getting to class. You can take it to class with you (but you may prefer to take the short version). The long version is a great handout to give to your students, especially your one-to-one students. It immediately shows your professionalism and increases your expertise in the eyes of your students.
Stream Lesson Plan
Yoga For Seniors Lesson Plan (stream plan)
Each yoga lesson plan you create within the Yoga Genie Lesson Planner comes with a video stream version of the lesson plan. You’ll be able to provide the streams to students as a URL, so they can practice from home.
Yoga Poses Included Within The Lesson Plan
The yoga poses in this yoga lesson plan for seniors include Chin To Chest Pose, Easy Head Turn Pose, Ear To Shoulder Pose, Easy Side Bend Pose, Shoulder Rotations Pose, Single Leg Stand Pose, Mountain Pose, Shoulder Rotations Pose, Half Way Lift Pose, Warrior II Pose, Standing Backbend Pose, Standing Crescent Pose, Dead Bug Pose, Knees To Chest Pose, and Savasana.
Chair yoga is also very popular with senior citizens. Here are 24 chair yoga poses you could use in your next yoga class: Chair Legs Up Pose, Palming, Chair Grounding Pose, Chair Abdominal Breath Exercise, Chair Shrugs Pose, Chair Neck Incline Pose, Chair Wrist Stretch Pose, Chair Arms Up Pose, Chair Side Bend Pose, Chair Backbend Pose, Chair Ankle Curl Pose, Chair Knee To Chest Pose, Chair Reverse Arm Pose, Chair Shoulder Stretch Pose, Basic Chair Triangle Pose, Chair Arm Lift Pose, Chair Chest Opener Pose, Chair Forward Bend Pose, Chair Big Toe Hold Pose, Basic Chair Warrior I Pose, Chair Hip Flexion Pose, Chair Hip Opener Pose, Chair Knee Lift Pose, Chair Leg Stretch Pose.
And just in case you want more chair yoga poses here are 8 more: Chair Heart Centre Pose, Chair Upward Facing Dog Pose, Chair Arms Out Pose, Chair Eagle Pose, Chair Downward Facing Dog Pose, Chair Twist And Fold Pose, Chair Blast Offs Pose, and Chair Lunge Pose.
Yoga For Seniors FAQs
Whenever I teach a yoga class with a theme (e.g. Yoga For Seniors), I like to imagine a student will ask me a bunch of questions.
So, I study up on the subject and make notes in FAQ format (see below).
Once I’ve completed my FAQs, I read one, close my eyes and answer it the best I can. I then open my eyes to see how much detail I got right. If I missed anything, I repeat the process until I get it right.
This gives me huge confidence. There’s nothing like diligent preparation to give you confidence when going into a one-to-one session with a client, or teaching a class. I always tell my students that I’m not a doctor, and if they have any concerns they should consult their doctor.
“Can Yoga increase my strength?”
Yes. Elderly people will be better able to continue with hobbies and daily activities independently for many more years to come. If they are unlucky enough to suffer a fall or injury, a strong body will be able to withstand this better and sustain fewer injuries.
“Can Yoga combat stress and fatigue?”
Yes. Studies have shown that yoga can be extremely helpful when it comes to combating stress, fatigue and pain. Yoga poses increase core strength and balance, which reduces the risk of fall-related injuries. Yoga can help seniors feel younger and stronger. Adults lose about a half-pound (200 grams) of muscle per year for each year they’re not regularly engaged in resistance training.
“Can Yoga keep my bones and muscles strong?”
Yes. Yoga is ideal strength/resistance training for seniors to help keep bones and muscles strong.
“Can Yoga increase my flexibility?”
Yes. Yoga can help those with mobility issues to undertake activities that they have perhaps been unable to do, such as reaching down to tie shoelaces or pick things up.
“Can Yoga increase my coordination?”
Yes. Yoga helps with proprioception. Proprioception is the skill of knowing where your body is in space and coordinating your movements accurately. This is particularly important for elderly people and can prevent falls and for people with disabilities or conditions such as MS.
“Can Yoga improve my mental clarity?”
Yes. Yoga can lessen the impact of chronic illnesses and pain. For elderly people, it may also help them cope with feelings of isolation, if this is a problem. Being calmer and more relaxed inevitably leads to a greater feeling of happiness and well-being.
“Can Yoga help with loneliness?”
Yes. Joining yoga classes for those with mobility issues and the elderly will also give them a venue to socialise and make friends.
“Can Yoga help me cope with and manage pain?”
Yoga includes breath work, which can help people not only with stress management but also with coping and managing pain. Through yoga, meditation and paying attention to your breath, you can help your body and mind to cope with the pain of an illness or condition.
That’s all the FAQs.
But wait…
If you teach yoga to seniors (like me), you might like my Chair Yoga Lesson Plan Bundle and these 52 Chair Yoga Cards.
