At a time of the year when the focus is to improve our health and well-being, Bethel House is taking 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 welcoming and comfortable Barton on Sea Care Home is proudly led by a fully-trained and caring team. The aim is dedicated to using new techniques as a social experience to engage and stimulate residents, some who live with dementia.
The focus of this interactive yoga 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 3 years of research and the special liquid is used to create unique tricks. Remarkably, the standout stunt involves a willing volunteer to use a unique breathing technique while standing in a life size bubble, that is the same height of the person.
The impact of the interactive sensory bubble workshop is clear to see. The residents are stimulated to interact, touch the different types of bubbles, communicate, ask questions and you see the smiles and hear the laughter as reactions.
The physical benefits include movement and breathing exercises that allow the residents to coordinate their movements and simply, to get moving.
Residents who may appear to be unresponsive, suddenly had 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 a personal motivation for her visit because her Grandmother, Janet Miller, lives at Bethel House: 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 well-being.
Set in its own secluded grounds, Bethel House is located by a beach setting in the picturesque seaside area of New Milton and within close proximity to the New Forest.
During a recent CQC inspection, the impressive family home was awarded 5 ‘Good’ stars and highly praised for its ‘safe, effective, responsive, caring and well led’ residential, dementia and respite services.
The welcoming care home is an active part of the local community and goes to great lengths to make a positive difference to the lives of residents by planning stimulating activities.
Registered Manager Aga Gierek says: 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’ve seen and asked her to do a taster session, which she did. Residents enjoyed it, it was fun, trying to touch the bubbles, a lot of positive emotions.
Lisa has plans to return to Bethel House for more ‘Bubble Yoga’ sessions that will be based on different themes and styles that will continue to make a positive difference to the lives of the residents and support their daily lives.
