Caring for our Carers: Chair yoga with Sue Davies in Barnet & Finchley

We believe that looking after our Care Professionals is just as important as looking after the people we support every day.

Recently one of our Care Professionals & chair yoga teacher, Sue Davies, delivered an amazing session for our care team in Barnet & Finchley. Taking an hour out of busy schedules gave everyone the opportunity to pause, breathe, stretch, and experience the calming benefits of armchair yoga first-hand while practising gentle chair yoga exercises together.

Why physical and mental wellbeing matters for Care Professionals

Our Care Professionals spend their days assisting clients with mobility, preparing meals, managing household tasks, and offering steady emotional reassurance. We recognise how important it is to encourage our team to look after their own physical health too.

According to workplace health data reported by NHS Employers and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), more than 473,000 workers across Britain experience work-related musculoskeletal symptoms, including back, neck, and joint strain. Regular stretching, posture awareness, and mindful breathing play an important role in releasing physical tension and preventing fatigue.

During our staff session, Sue guided the team through targeted chair yoga exercises and a calming chair yoga routine, demonstrating how simple seated movements can ease tight shoulders, relieve lower back stiffness, and encourage deep relaxation. It is an accessible, low-impact form of movement that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and physical abilities.

Three years of free chair yoga for older people in Barnet

Many people in our local community will already know Sue through the free chair yoga sessions for older people we have been running across Barnet for over three years. These sessions have brought older people together, encouraging movement, social connections and a sense of wellbeing.

Research by Age UK has found that yoga for older & senior people offers the exact same physical and mental rewards as traditional mat classes, without the discomfort or fall risk of getting down onto the floor. Structured yoga for older people is safe, enjoyable, and effective at easing persistent bodily aches in older adults living with long-term health conditions.

Delivering free chair yoga for older people across Barnet has been one of the highlights of our local outreach, so bringing that same positive energy to our own Care Professionals felt like a natural next step.

Simple armchair yoga benefits for mobility and relaxation

Whether practised by a busy Care Professional between client visits or by an older adult looking to stay active at home, incorporating simple chair yoga exercises and seated chair yoga workouts into the week brings noticeable everyday benefits:

• Improved joint flexibility and posture: Gentle neck rolls, seated twists, and ankle rotations keep joints mobile and counteract stiffness from sitting or driving.
• Steadier balance and physical confidence: Strengthening the core and lower legs from a supportive chair helps improve postural stability when standing and walking.
• Reduced stress and mental tension: Focusing on slow, rhythmic breathing calms the nervous system and clears mental fatigue.
• Inclusive social connection: Because the accessibility of yoga for older & senior people means anyone can join in at their own pace, group sessions create a relaxed, encouraging space to chat and share a laugh.

A big thank you to Sue for sharing her time, knowledge and enthusiasm with our care professionals, and for her continued support of our local community!

Join our Barnet community activities or care team

To find out more about our free community chair yoga sessions, our visiting and live in care services, or career opportunities with our Barnet & Finchley team, please get in touch 020 8064 2920