On the occasion of International Women’s Day, EMAGE CIC (Ethnic Minority Ageing with Grace & Equity) conducted a special Intergenerational Chair Yoga session at Redbridge Central Library, bringing together children, youth, and older women in a shared experience of movement, connection, and wellbeing.
The session created a welcoming and inclusive space where participants from different age groups could engage in gentle physical activity together. Chair yoga is particularly suitable for community settings because it allows people of all fitness levels and abilities to participate comfortably. Using simple seated movements, breathing exercises, and light stretches, participants were able to experience relaxation, improved flexibility, and a sense of calm.

What is Intergenerational Chair Yoga?
Intergenerational chair yoga is a community-based wellbeing activity that combines gentle yoga movements with intergenerational interaction. Unlike traditional yoga sessions that may require floor exercises, chair yoga allows participants to remain seated or use a chair for support, making it accessible for older adults, beginners, and individuals with limited mobility.
By bringing together younger and older participants, the activity encourages shared learning, empathy, and social connection between generations.

Benefits for Older Adults
For older adults, chair yoga offers several physical and psychological benefits, including:
Improved flexibility and joint mobility

• Better balance and posture
• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Increased circulation and breathing capacity
• Opportunities for social interaction and reduced loneliness

Gentle movement activities like chair yoga can support healthy ageing by helping older adults remain physically active while also strengthening their sense of belonging within the community.

Benefits for Children and Youth
Intergenerational programmes also offer important benefits for younger participants. Through activities such as chair yoga, children and young people can:
Develop respect and understanding for older generations

• Learn the importance of maintaining physical and mental wellbeing
• Build empathy and social awareness
• Experience the value of community connection and shared activities

Participating in wellbeing activities with older adults can also help young people understand that healthy ageing begins earlier in life, encouraging them to adopt positive habits that support long-term wellbeing.

A Lifecourse Approach to Healthy Ageing

At EMAGE, we recognise that ageing is a lifelong process, and the actions individuals take throughout their lives influence their wellbeing in later years. Intergenerational wellbeing activities reflect key concepts from ageing theories such as Activity Theory and Continuity Theory, which suggest that people who remain socially and physically active throughout their life course are more likely to maintain better health and life satisfaction as they age.
By encouraging individuals of different ages to participate together, intergenerational chair yoga helps communities adopt a lifecourse approach to health and wellbeing.

EMAGE’s Vision

Through initiatives like intergenerational chair yoga, EMAGE aims to create inclusive community spaces where people of all ages can connect, learn from one another, and support healthy ageing. Activities that bring generations together not only promote physical health but also strengthen the social fabric of communities.
The intergenerational chair yoga session demonstrated how simple, accessible activities can foster wellbeing, connection, and mutual understanding, reminding us that caring for our mind and body is a journey shared across generations.