At a time of the year when the focus is to improve health and wellbeing, Bethel House is using a unique approach to keeping fit with ‘bubble yoga’ sessions.
Lisa Davies is a ‘bubbleologist’ and sensory yoga instructor who hosted the one hour session to inspire the 23 residents at the Beach Avenue residential care home.
The Barton on Sea home is proudly led by a fully trained and caring team who are dedicated to using new techniques to engage and stimulate residents, some of whom live with dementia.
The focus of this interactive session was fusing. This involves using bubbles as a therapeutic intervention – employing yoga and creative sensory play to demonstrate the benefits of mindfulness in support of emotional enlightenment.
Lisa has developed the perfect bubble mixture over three years of research and the special liquid is used to create unique tricks. Remarkably, the standout stunt involves a willing volunteer using a unique breathing technique while standing in a bubble.
The impact of the interactive sensory bubble workshop is clear to see. The residents are stimulated to interact, touch the different types of bubble, communicate and ask questions. You see the smiles and hear their laughter.
The physical benefits include movement and breathing exercises that allow the residents to co-ordinate their movements and simply to get moving.
Residents who may appear to be unresponsive suddenly have the ability to have clear and meaningful dialogue and conversations. Excitement and an overall, joyous and energized atmosphere is felt within the room and it’s great to see.
Lisa has personal motivation for her visit because her grandmother, Janet Miller, lives at Bethel House. She says: "I have been saddened by the regression of her cognitive function due to Alzheimer’s. She is now at a level where sensory input is important to keep her brain functioning.
"I trained as a yoga teacher and I see the powerful benefits of using breath, movement and relaxation. I use a special yoga method that is adapted to meet all abilities and the results are like magic. People are calmer, able to cope with challenges more efficiently and seem to have a more positive sense of physical and emotional wellbeing."
Registered manager Aga Gierek adds: "It is great to welcome Lisa to Bethel House because her approach to wellbeing is a lot of fun and our residents are always curious to ask questions and take part.
"When Lisa came to see her grandma, she just talked about it and showed us a picture. We really liked what we saw and asked her to do a taster session, which she did. Residents enjoyed it. It was fun trying to touch the bubbles and evoked a lot of positive emotions."
