About Poppy’s work

Poppy is a caring professional always focused on helping her clients feel good about themselves. In June 2019, Poppy started to teach chair yoga regularly weekly in care homes Ross Court Care Home, Herefordshire Barchester Healthcare group and Buckland Care – Westbank Care Home.   

Teaching chair yoga enabled her to develop her skills and understanding in teaching elderly people and people living with Alzheimers and Dementia. She could see the classes was helping them with their mobility and was getting positive feedback from the care home managers.

Poppy understands the unique needs of each individual and will adjust her chair yoga delivery to help their needs. She provides modifications to the poses and movements to make it accessible and enjoyable to everyone. This makes the sessions even more beneficial, not only the body but also the mind with added gentle breath work. This breathwork is beneficial to the class as it helps them to be more relaxed and increases their stamina and mobility. Poppy also uses  visualisation techniques and illustration to help with stimulations of their mind which have proven to have increased their interest in participating in her classes.

Engagement with people

Poppy is able to engage with her clients through the live stream Zoom sessions, she will help to motivate them praising them for their achievements through the class, and this helps to motivate their participation and focus. All sessions are chair based tailored to their overall need, aim to increase strength, mobility, awareness and general health including respiratory muscles strengthen which helps towards increasing their stamina. 

• Adaptability: Poppy’s chair yoga sessions are tailored to the unique needs and abilities of her elderly participants. She understands that individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia may have limited mobility or memory issues, and she designs her classes accordingly.

• Gentle Movements: Poppy’s sessions focus on gentle, seated movements and stretches that are accessible to everyone. These exercises help improve flexibility, reduce stiffness, and enhance circulation, all of which contribute to physical comfort and vitality.

• Mindfulness and Relaxation: Poppy incorporates mindfulness and relaxation techniques into her chair yoga classes. These practices not only help manage stress but also promote mental clarity and emotional well-being. For individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia, these techniques can be especially valuable in reducing anxiety and agitation.

• Community and Connection: Poppy fosters a sense of community within her classes, encouraging participants to interact and connect with one another. This social engagement is essential for combating feelings of isolation and loneliness, which are common among elderly individuals in care homes.

• Music and Sensory Stimulation: Poppy often uses upbeat music during her chair yoga sessions to help clients. These sensory elements can evoke positive memories and enhance the overall enjoyment of the practice.
  

• Visualisation/illustration:  In sessions Poppy also uses Visualisation/illustrations to help with stimulation of the brain and making the sessions much more enjoyable.