Chair Yoga - Could It Be for You?

When you hear the word yoga, does it conjure up an image of a white, middle class twenty-something in lycra with their leg wrapped around their neck? I have heard so many people tell me yoga isn’t for them because they can’t even touch their toes, or they’re too inflexible - I want to dispell this myth. Yoga is for everyone, regardless of flexibility, age, race, gender (the list goes on).

My name is Jo and I have been teaching chair yoga in Chelmsford since September 2021 after qualifying as a yoga teacher in 2020. Since then, I have seen first-hand the many benefits to people’s lives: it increases people’s strength and mobility as well as confidence in their bodies and helps them to connect with themselves and others and escape the busy, chattering mind for a while.

A public consultation was carried out to identify the preferred option. I am very grateful to the 5,000 local people who looked at the consultation and over 800 people submitted their thoughts. As a result the ‘hamburger’ style junction was agreed as the preferred option. In order to reduce traffic and address congestion, the package also includes considerable improvements to park and ride facilities as well as bus, cycle and pedestrian routes.

Since then, further engineering and design work has taken place to address important details and an Outline Business Case was submitted to the Department for Transport last October. The total cost of this package is estimated to be £80.1 million. Essex County Council have offered to contribute £8.1 million and Chelmsford City Council have offered £4 million from developer contributions. We are therefore asking the government to contribute £66.8 million; this is now with ministers for a decision. Given the large amount of money, this will need to be assessed against other projects across the country.

During the meeting with the minister, I stressed the vital importance of this project to the people of Chelmsford and the wider Essex area. The minister noted the high cost benefit of the project, which at a ratio of 2.7x clearly shows that investing in this type of infrastructure will benefit economic growth. He was also impressed by the level of local support and the strong local consensus support for this design as well as the environmental benefits of introducing improvements to other modes of travel. I will continue to press for the new junction to be approved and then delivered as soon as possible, but it will take time.

I recently met with the Managing Director of First Bus, Piers Marlow,

One yogi told me that although she takes pain relief medication every day, she has stopped taking it on the day of our class as she doesn’t need it once we have practised. Another reported after a few weeks that he was able to bend down and pick things up off the floor with ease, something he had been unable to do for years.

As the name would suggest, a chair yoga class is mostly seated, but includes a standing section with poses to practise balance for those who feel able. With a focus on breathing and moving with the breath, it’s as much a calming, mindful practice as a physical workout. In the time I have been teaching, the classes have grown steadily and have become a real community, with people attending come rain or shine (although we did have to cancel for snow on one occasion!).

We have gently nutured a social aspect too, where people don’t take themselves too seriously, share anecdotes, laughs and a cuppa afterwards. People leave the class feeling stronger, happier and calmer, ready to face the day ahead. One student says: “At my age I never thought I would be able to do yoga, let alone enjoy it. Chair yoga is suitable, beneficial and accessible for all ages and levels of fitness. Jo is very friendly, understanding and encouraging. I thoroughly recommend it.”

Regal Kitchens - Open Day

To celebrate Regal Kitchens’ continued relationship with NEFF, the kitchen gurus welcomed customers new and old to join them for their Christmassy themed Open Day last month. NEFF Home Economist, Adrienne, prepared mouth-watering dishes all day, as well as explaining the features and benefits of the appliances on display in the showroom.

There was a free prize draw during the event and lucky customers took home kitchen gadgets worth hundreds of pounds - everyone went home with a goodie bag worth around £20 as well.

Regal’s experienced kitchen designers were on hand during the event to help customers with all aspects of planning their new dream kitchens for 2023.