Falling is a major heath concern for older people. According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control:
o More than one-third of adults ages 65 years and older fall each year (Hornbrook 1994; Hausdorff 2001).
o Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of injury deaths (Murphy 2000) and the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma (Alexander 1992).
o In 2003 more than 1.8 million seniors age 65 and older were treated in emergency departments for fall-related injuries and more than 421,000 were hospitalized (CDC 2005).
The most feary injury that can result from a fall is a hip fraction, and with good reason. One-fourth of those suffering from this injury die within six months according to KR Tremblay Jr. of the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension.
Simply the fear of falling is a cause for many older people to unnecessarily restrict their activities, which is tragic because the resulting lack of physical and mental stimulation only increases the risks.
The good news is that practicing chair yoga can reduce your risk of a fall and help you recover faster if it happens.
You are more alert due to better circulation and oxygenation so you are more likely to avoid a fall.
You will have improved balance making you less likely to slip and better able to recover if you do.
If you do end up falling weight-bearing exercises are known to strengthen the bones and ligaments. You will have more flexibility and strength. All these factors together improve your odds of avoiding a serious injury.
If you are hurt in a fall you will have more endurance, better circulation and increased strength. This makes your chance for a 100% recovery more likely.
Reducing the risks of falling is one more excellent reason for older people to seek out a chair yoga program in their area.