Research backs our Chair Yoga
We are delighted to share the findings of a recent community exercise study carried out in partnership with the University of Reading, exploring how chair-based yoga can support older adults to stay active, independent and connected.
The six-week study, led by Dr Juliane Honisch from the University of Reading, compared Chair Yoga with the NHS-recommended Otago exercise programme and examined the impact on mobility, confidence, pain, fatigue and wellbeing. Participants from Wokingham and Reading took part in one of three groups: Chair Yoga, Otago exercises or a control group. Researchers assessed mobility, balance, strength and a range of wellbeing measures before and after the programme.
The findings were impressive. Participants in both the Chair Yoga and Otago groups became quicker at standing up and walking, demonstrating improved mobility. However the Chair Yoga group experienced additional benefits, including reduced pain and stiffness, less fatigue and greater ease in carrying out everyday activities.
Dr Honisch's presentation highlighted that one of the biggest risks following a fall is not always the injury itself, but the loss of confidence that can lead people to become less active, less socially connected and more isolated. Gentle, accessible forms of exercise can play an important role in helping people maintain their independence and quality of life.
The research team concluded that Chair Yoga has the potential to become an important community resource because it is inexpensive, accessible, enjoyable and socially engaging for many older adults. Small changes in movement can help people remain independent for longer.
The Link Visiting Scheme has been running regular Chair Yoga sessions as part of our commitment to supporting healthy ageing, wellbeing and social connection. We are particularly grateful to Invesco Cares Foundation, whose funding has made these classes possible and enabled local older people to access gentle exercise in a welcoming and supportive environment.
We're delighted to see research evidence supporting what many of our participants have already told us – that Chair Yoga helps them feel stronger, more confident and more connected. It’s never too late to start moving and feeling the benefit of that.
We would also like to thank Dr Juliane Honisch, MSc student Joseph Pearson, the University of Reading and everyone who took part in the study. A special thanks to our very own Clare Randell for managing this project so brilliantly, ensuring participants turned up to sessions, got there safely and arranged follow up sessions if they couldn’t make it.
It was a wonderful collaboration and we sincerely hope that the research team can build on these findings through larger community studies and by making Chair Yoga available to even more people across Berkshire.
We would like to thank Clive Jones MP and Cllr Alwyn Jones, Mayor of Wokingham Town, for attending the presentation, alongside Cllr David Hare, chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board at Wokingham Borough Council and for supporting this collaborative research between The Link Visiting Scheme and the University of Reading. Their interest in promoting healthy ageing and community wellbeing is greatly appreciated.