| There is a growing need for more Chair Yoga | | | | local Yoga teachers, so they can work with |
| teachers. Education about the mental and | | | | seniors in the Providence area. The reason: |
| physical benefits of Yoga has spread like | | | | As I have said before, "The demand for Yoga |
| "wild fire" in the past couple of decades; | | | | is far beyond what any one of us can |
| but what about the needs of those who are not | | | | do."Think about the cost of medical services, |
| so young and limber? In some parts of the | | | | prescriptions, and physical therapy. Then, |
| world, the number of seniors will outweigh | | | | consider the cost of Yoga instruction. This |
| the working population. Italy, the United | | | | is a "no-brainer," but don't expect to see a |
| States, and the rest of Europe, will see | | | | big change right away. Nevertheless, senior |
| senior populations grow rapidly.Within the | | | | centers, assisted living complexes, and |
| United States, every seven seconds, someone | | | | nursing homes have already caught onto the |
| turns 50 years of age. In 20 years, the | | | | fact that Yoga is cost effective preventative |
| number of people over 65 is projected to be | | | | medicine.This proactive mind-set has also |
| over 60 million. "The writing is on the | | | | infiltrated the medical community. It is not |
| wall," and there are many opportunities for | | | | uncommon for Yoga studios to get medical |
| Yoga teachers, senior fitness specialists, | | | | referrals. Medical professionals have so |
| and health care professionals.Although | | | | many patients that they are advising many |
| government bureaucrats will not adjust for | | | | prevention methods, and Yoga is one of |
| massive senior health care needs, until it is | | | | them.Do you think all of the Chair Yoga |
| too late, that doesn't mean you can't do | | | | classes will be in senior facilities, 20 |
| something about it. If you are currently a | | | | years from now? My bet is some of these |
| Yoga teacher, you should learn everything you | | | | classes will be in "top name" fitness |
| can about Chair Yoga. Continuing education | | | | centers. The fitness industry will not want |
| is a big part of teaching, so you want to | | | | to miss the opportunity to tap into a 60 |
| learn about senior fitness, anatomy, | | | | million plus membership market, that will |
| physiology, kinesiology, modifications, | | | | visit them during "off peak" hours.Therefore, |
| props, and contraindications.If you are a | | | | look for Chair Yoga and senior fitness to |
| Yoga student, who wants to teach seniors, you | | | | explode, in popularity, for the next two or |
| should learn everything you can, and get | | | | three decades. This age group will be |
| involved in a Yoga Teacher Training program. | | | | looking at Yoga for longevity, so it won't be |
| Chair Yoga teachers should have a solid | | | | anything close to a "fad."Paul Jerard is a |
| foundation in Yoga and/or be familiar with | | | | co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher |
| the physical abilities of seniors.Physical | | | | training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North |
| therapists, and senior fitness specialists, | | | | Providence, RI. He has been a certified |
| could easily learn Chair Yoga concepts, as | | | | Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a |
| well. However, you must be honest with | | | | master instructor of martial arts, with |
| yourself in regard to patience and | | | | multiple Black Belts, four martial arts |
| compassion. This type of class is not for | | | | teaching credentials, and was recently |
| the instructor who just wants to do his, or | | | | inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of |
| her, "workout."Sure you can demonstrate, but | | | | Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and |
| you must also assist, modify, and cue those | | | | fitness to children, adults, and seniors in |
| who cannot always hear so well. Therefore, | | | | the greater Providence area. Recently he |
| patience, compassion, and safety, are of | | | | wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for |
| prime importance.This is a direction of | | | | You? For Yoga students, who may be |
| employment that could lead to 30 years of job | | | | considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. |
| security. Currently, I have been training | | | | |