10 minute read
Chair yoga......................................................Judith A. Rucki
Chair yoga
Building strength the kinder, gentler way
BY JUDITH A. RUCKI
Yoga has been around for more than 5,000 years. It is estimated that nearly thirty-six million Americans practice yoga, an increase of more than fifty percent over the past four years.
Chair yoga, on the other hand, was developed by yoga therapist Lakshmi Voelker in 1982. Practiced while sitting on a chair or standing with a chair for support, it is considered beneficial form for any fitness level, from active seniors to those recovering from an injury.
Using a chair provides stability, safety, and greater range of motion. Additionally, the support makes it possible to hold poses longer. Various poses and flows are targeted to build muscle and tone the body.
Silver Sneakers yoga instructor Olivia Ebsary, who teaches chair yoga at North Presbyterian Church in Williamsville, says, “In chair yoga classes, people do all kinds of postures and use chairs as a prop.” She believes that regular chair yoga practice offers all the benefits of traditional yoga.
Ebsary’s chair yoga class starts with practicioners seated in chairs. They then stand and use the chair for balance. There is no floor work. The instructor focuses on what she calls “muscles of independence, the
muscles that “help us get off the toilet, off a chair, get out of bed, and go on with the activities of daily living.” We tend to slump forward as we get older, which causes chest and back muscles to weaken; Ebsary recommends poses that “strengthen legs and back and create good posture, like goddess pose or warrior poses. Posture and balance are huge for seniors.”
Studies show chair yoga is ideal for those suffering chronic pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoporosis, and multiple sclerosis. It can also benefit people of any age recovering from surgery or injuries that prevent practicing traditional yoga poses. Chair yoga meets to the body where it’s at.
Ebsary likens practicing chair yoga to taking in a sermon: ““You get out of it what you need at the particular time.”
People new to class need to learn to breathe correctly, as in any exercise class. In yoga, pranayama is a technique of breath control; Ebsary reminds that it’s important not to hold the breath during an asana pose, and recommends ten deep breaths every day. “We need to use breathing muscles correctly. We need to use our diaphragms and lungs,” she says.
Chair yoga is offered at several locations, including North Presbyterian Church, where Ebsary teaches. The church is located at 300 North Forest Road in Williamsville. Chair Yoga is offered Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. and classes are free. A catalog of recorded Chair Yoga with Livy classes are also available on the church’s YouTube channel (North Presbyterian Church Williamsville). Visit northchurchwilliamsville.org for more information. FY
Judith A. Rucki is a public relations consultant and freelance writer.
Advertorial
Belmont Housing Resources for WNY, Inc.
Newest Senior Housing Community
Belmont Housing Resources for WNY, Inc. is accepting applications for its newest housing community, Alberta Place. Located at 64 Amsterdam Avenue in the Town of Amherst, Alberta Place is a 46 unit aff ordable development with 38 one-bedrooms and 8-two bedrooms apartments for seniors 55+ years of age. e property will provide aff ordable housing opportunities to 27 senior households whose annual income is less than 60% of the Area Media Income (AMI) and 19 senior households whose annual income is less than 50% of AMI. ere are 5 accessible units for persons with mobility impairments and 2 for persons with hearing/vision impairments.
Alberta Place features ample inunit storage, a community room with kitchen area, laundry rooms on each fl oor, a lounge and computer room for resident use, on-site property management, off street parking and an exterior patio. Alberta Place is pet friendly and has a smoke-free campus. One-bedroom rents are $535 and $645 and two-bedroom rents are $565 and $735 and all include water.
Alberta Place has close proximity to Wegmans on Alberta as well as retail on Niagara Falls Blvd. and Maple Road.
For information and an application, call Belmont Housing Resources for WNY at 716-817-0707.
From the desk of WECK Radio owner and local business advocate Buddy Shula
CLASSIFIEDS
CLOCK REPAIR All types including Grandfathers. Free In-Home Estimate, Pick Up, Deliver. Call or Text: 716-364-
7224.
AD DEADLINE IS NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 12TH FOR THE NOVEMBER ISSUE.
To Place your ad Call NOW! 783-9119 x2220
WHO KNOWS?
Every month, I try to find an appropriate theme for this column. Usually, it has to do with the time of year. For instance, October means pumpkins and Halloween. But what do pumpkins or Halloween really have to do with the BIG WECK Radio?
Turns out, not much.
So, in this article, there is no theme. I’m simply here to offer reminders and thank you for listening to the BIG WECK, Buffalo’s Oldies Station.
Since I purchased this radio station five-and-a-half years ago, WECK has become a top-rated local station. Local is important, just like the oldies we play and the trusted names playing them: Joe Chille in the morning, Tom Donahue before lunch, Roger Christian from noon to 3:00 p.m., Bobby O from 3:00-7:00 p.m., Glen Topolski in the evening, and Junior Rosati overnight for our night owls.
There are many ways you can tell us—and your friends—how much you love the BIG WECK. Write it down, shout it from the rooftops, or email bshula@radioonebuffalo.com.
Listen on Sundays for the Elvis Experience at 4:00 p.m. followed by Beatlemania at 5:00 p.m. Just tell Alexa to “Play the BIG WECK!”
Thank you for listening. Next month, I promise to write something about turkey.
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Advertorial United Church Manor
“Thank you for being there for people like me,” is one resident’s sentiment that reflects United Church Manor’s history of serving WNY’s elderly and disabled.
With thirty-five years of service to the WNY community, United Church Manor continues to provide an affordable housing opportunity to those with very-low incomes. Located on beautiful, park-like grounds on North Avenue in West Seneca, United Church Manor proudly assists residents in remaining independent, while aging in place with grace and dignity.
Apartment rents are based upon individual incomes and income eligibility restrictions apply. Heat and water are included in the rent and an electric allowance is also provided. A completed application and short wait of approximately 9-12 months will make United Church Manor the place you or a loved one can call home.
On Saturday, November 5 at The Columns Banquets in Elma, United Church Manor will host a Theme Basket Luncheon. Proceeds from the event will be used to support the Manor’s programs for the elderly and the disabled; including transportation to local shopping plazas, holiday parties, and a variety of resident activities. Sponsors of the event include Litwin Castle Insurance Agency; St. Matthew’s UCC; Ebenezer UCC, Trautman Associates, West Herr Automotive Group, and Krog Group.
Visit us online at ucmanor.org or call 716-668-5804 for additional information about our housing opportunity or event information.
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Join our team at WNY’s longest-running publication for mature adults!
EXPERIENCED ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVES WANTED
The ideal candidates:
• Know and love the WNY region • Have experience in advertising sales • Love meeting new people • Are equally comfortable at happy hour as around the conference table • Possess excellent communication, negotiation, and closing skills
Full and/or part-time position includes competitive compensation and health benefits. Email resumes in confidence to Publisher, Barbara Macks at bmacks@buffalospree.com
October 1-2 FREE Roycroft Campus Fall Festival
This event features a diverse group of local and regional artists, antique vendors, and community groups, as well as fresh local produce, meat products, maple syrup, and pumpkins, along with tastings from local breweries. Family games and live entertainment are also available.
10 a.m.-5 p.m., Roycroft Campus
(31 Grove Street, East Aurora; roycroftcampuscorporation.com, 655-0261)
October 14-30 The Secret Garden: Springtime Edition
Based on the classic novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, young Mary Lennox is sent to live with her uncle in a gloomy English manor. At ninety minutes, it’s a great one for the kids.
(secondgenerationtheatre.com, 508-SGT0)
October 12 Senior Stroll
Experience nature at your own pace with a leisurely hour-long guided walk through the woods. Registration required.
10 a.m., Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve
(93 Honorine Drive, Cheektowaga; reinsteinwoods.org, 683-5959)
October 20-22 Halloween Trick-or-Treat
Enjoy a family-friendly environment for trick-ortreating. Check the website for details.
Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village
(3755 Tonawanda Creek Road., Amherst; bnhv.org, 689-1440)
October 22 Celebrating Sondheim
The BPO and a spectacular cast of Broadway singers present a celebration of the music of Stephen Sondheim featuring music from famous shows such as Sweeney Todd, Company, Follies, Into the Woods, West Side Story, and Gypsy. 7:30 p.m., Kleinhans Music Hall (3 Symphony Circle; bpo.org, 885-5000)
Advertorial Live the life you deserve
Eliminate Neuropathy, Back and joint Pain at WNY Pain Relief.
BY DR. CHRISTIAN MILIOTO
Are you tired of living with chronic back, joint or Neuropathy pain? Have you felt you have exhausted all avenues of care and left to manage your pain with injections, medication, or potential surgery? If so it’s time to give WNY Pain Relief a call.
I’m Dr. Milioto. I have dedicated my life to helping my patients eliminate their back or neuropathy pain, improve balance issues, and restore quality of life. When treating your pain and discomfort I take your full history into account, individually creating a plan of care dedicated to you. My methods of care are researched back therapies designed to heal your condition from the root cause. Our stateof-the-art treatments are effective, safe, long lasting, and non-surgical. If you suffer from chronic back or neuropathy pain, you may be subject to one of the following conditions or diagnoses. Patients who suffer from back pain may be experiencing sharp, stiff, aching pain, tingling, burning, cramping or weakness in the arms, legs, and feet. You may experience balance issues or feel heaviness in your legs. These symptoms can make it difficult to sit, walk or stand for long periods or take care of yourself or home. Spinal conditions include Spinal Stenosis, Disc Bulges, Herniations, Arthritis, Sciatica, Degenerative Disc Disease, Degenerative Joint Disease, Muscle Spasms, Pinched Nerves, and Spinal Cord Compression. Individuals suffering from Neuropathy experience symptoms in the arms, hands, legs, and feet. These symptoms may be mild or severe and can range from tingling, burning, numbness, cramping, pins and needles, restless leg syndrome and balance issues. They may feel as though they are walking on hard leather, or simply feel a sensation or discomfort in their feet they cannot describe. Individuals with Neuropathy may have developed this condition from Diabetes, Chemotherapy or Radiation therapy, Spinal conditions, circulatory disorders including lymphedema, poor circulation, and heart disease or are on statins. Call now and take the next step towards getting your life back I am dedicated to you and your needs and will provide a level of care you truly deserve. Call (716) 650-7246 to ask about our Free Seminar on Back Pain & Neuropathy or to schedule a oneon-one consult with me today. I am honored to help in any way I can. Go to wnypainrelief.com to see patient testimonials and take our patient pain evaluation test.
