FAST (Fall Arrest Strategy Training)
Balance Flow Yoga: Preventing Falls and Injuries
Our research team recently completed a study called The Effect of Yoga on Decreasing the Risk of Fall-related Injury in Peri- and Post-menopausal Women.
The project determined the effect of 12 weeks of hatha yoga on fall risk factors such as balance, strength, mobility, confidence and incontinence and the ability to control landing and descent of a forward fall. Through focus group discussions, we also explored the participants’ perceived changes in overall health and well-being and some of the facilitators and challenges to participating.
Results are promising, showing significant improvements in fall risk factors and many perceived benefits and positive changes on quality of life and healthy aging.
Balance Flow Yoga developed for this project was designed by two physiotherapists on our team who are also yoga professionals by training. We created this video to share the essentials of the class with a broader audience.
This video demonstrates the key principles and practices of Balance Flow Yoga and also highlights the main themes emerging from the focus groups as depicted in the graphic below.
We invite you to view this video, and watch for future messages of training workshops and information sessions for leaders in healthcare, fitness, yoga and yoga therapy communities.
We hope this video will provide insight and guidance on ways to safely and effectively integrate evidence into yoga practice.
Thematic Graphic from Focus Groups
Knowledge Sharing Event
2022 is the launch of the World Decade for Healthy Aging. What are you and your workplace/organization doing to support healthy aging in Saskatchewan?
We provided an opportunity for the community to contribute positively to supporting healthy ageing by PREVENTING FALL-RELATED INJURIES
Members were invited to attend this virtual event designed for health care providers, community exercise leaders, yoga instructors, and anyone with interest in fall prevention community programming:
Strong, Balanced and FAST: Working Together to Prevent Fall-Related Injuries
The purpose was to:
- share knowledge gained from four University of Saskatchewan research projects evaluating the effect of practical community-based interventions on preventing fall-related injuries
- hear from you about experiences, challenges and facilitators in order to support and advance community programming to prevent falls
These virtual 2 hour sessions included an hour of knowledge sharing and opportunities for questions and an hour for a world café discussion. The events was held on two dates and the recordings can be viewed below.
March 22, 2022
March 24, 2022
Research Team Members
Cathy Arnold, Principal Investigator
Professor, School of Rehabilitation Science
Brenna Bath, Co-investigator
Professor, School of Rehabilitation Science
Katie Crockett, Co-investigator
Katie Crockett, Physical Therapist Venture Rehabilitation Sciences Group, Post Doctoral Fellow School of Rehabilitation Sciences & CCHSA
Jon Farthing, Co-investigator
Professor College of Kinesiology
Joel Lanovaz, Co-investigator
Associate Professor College of Kinseiology
Melanie Weimer, Collaborator
Clinical Education Co-ordinator, School of Rehabilitation Science
Shelly Prosko, Collaborator
Prosko PhysioYoga
Stephanie Madill, Collaborator
Associate Proffessor, School of Rehabilitation Science
Janet Barnes, Patient Family Partner
Saskatoon
Howard Giles, Patient Family Partner
Saskatoon
Margareth Peterson, Patient Family Partner
Saskatoon
Supporters
Venture Rehabilitation Sciences Group (Formerly Bourassa and Associates)
Ground Yoga
Forever in Motion Saskatoon
Staying on Your Feet Sask Health Authority
Continuing Education in Rehabilitation Science
Saskatoon Council on Aging