Namaste! Harrow Care Home Residents Now Enjoy Regular Yoga

A care home in Harrow has introduced something a bit different to its activity schedule – with residents now taking part in yoga.

Care UK’s Buchanan Court, on Sudbury Hill now hosts regular yoga sessions run by the home’s Customer Relations Manager, Lorelei Shepherd.

The move came after team members at the home sought to come up with new and exciting activities the residents wanted to try – so now they enjoy cultivating their mind-body connection in the home’s garden. The sessions combine stretching and strengthening postures with deep breathing and relaxation, and join the twice-weekly chair-based workout and aerobics that residents already enjoy.

So far, the initiative has been a hit among residents and the home is making it a regular activity. 80-year-old Vasanti Pawar, a resident at Buchanan Court, said: “I really enjoy meditation and yoga – I have enjoyed this type of exercise for years.”

Norma Vidot, Home Manager at Buchanan Court, said: “Our newest activity has proved a hit with residents! We’re always encouraging residents to try new things, and we help residents recognise they can participate in something even if at first they’re not sure.

“Exercising regularly has many benefits for older people, especially those living with dementia – which is why we make sure to incorporate as many movement-based activities as possible in our weekly programme. Yoga is ideal as it can easily be adapted to suit all fitness and skill levels since the poses may simply be tweaked or customised to meet an individual’s needs – meaning residents can choose to remain seated while performing the poses.

“We’re looking forward to learning new poses as we go – it’s definitely never too late to start!”