NEW ONLINE CHAIR YOGA CLASSES FOR ELDERS, HOMEBOUND, AND MORE

Jemez Valley Community Wellness Expands Telehealth Programs for Greater Accessibility

Jemez Valley Community Wellness (JVCW) now offers online chair yoga classes to elders and homebound residents in the Jemez Valley and beyond. The online classes conducted via Zoom virtual meeting are designed to provide a more convenient and accessible option for people who are seeking a regular interactive exercise routine in the comfort of their home. The low-intensity workouts are guided by Nancy Jo Ricca who is RYT-200 Certified with over 20 years of experience in adaptive yoga therapies.

Participants will need is a straight-back chair, a resistance band (flat style about 5 feet long), and the willingness to be guided for one hour to perform the necessary movements. Nancy Jo will observe and offer corrections to ensure proper form and maximum benefit for individual abilities. Each session provides an opportunity to feel better, feel stronger, move around with more ease, and go through the day with a little less pain… and a smile.

“This new telehealth option is a welcome addition to our clinic,” says Dr. Juliette Sweet, Executive Director of the nonprofit JVCW. “Not only can we serve more people in our local community who have limited mobility, but we are hoping that these online classes will reach folks beyond the Jemez Valley and offer a virtual option to help them improve overall health and wellness with gentle movement and breathing techniques.”

According to Healthline.com, yoga is especially helpful for improving flexibility in adults ages 65 and older, can be considered an effective alternative treatment for Major Depressive Disorder, and may contribute to fighting inflammation which leads to better immune system functioning.

Further, the Institute on Aging says that online programs are “a great supplement for older adults’ social lives. While nothing can completely replace a hug, smile, or warm eye contact, virtual communities can bring many of the benefits of socialization to seniors who are unable to routinely make it out to their local senior center. These platforms make it possible for older adults to stay socially active and intellectually engaged online—an experience that can boost their self-esteem and improve their physical well-being.”

Classes are held every Monday from 10-11am Mountain Time via Zoom. Participants will need a computer with a stable internet connection. Registration is required at JVCW.org. The cost is $10 per session, payable by credit card.

Outside of the regularly scheduled classes for individuals, JVCW is happy to arrange reserved group sessions tailored to the needs of senior centers, assisted living facilities and group homes, or workplaces that champion employee wellbeing while on the job.

In addition to yoga, JVCW offers a range of telehealth consultations with naturopathic, behavioral health, and other alternative healthcare practitioners. JVCW serves people of all ages with personalized treatment plans for a wide range of medical conditions to include mental health, autoimmune and endocrine disorders, heart disease, and cancer. See more about our services at https://www.jvcw.org/booknow.