Gayle Anderson was live inChatsworth to demonstrate her second Wednesday Wounded Warrior Exercises for people who have issues and injuries. As part of KTLAs Lose 5 with 5 month long health and fitness initiative and in honor of National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, todays segment featured Chair Aerobics, a series of workouts performed while sitting in a chair and designed for people who are injured, overweight or cannot do conventional exercise.

Chair Aerobics first started in nursing homes as a way to get older adults in walkers and wheelchairs to exercise by lifting legs or waving arms to music. As time passed, instructors and physical therapists developed more routines for those recovering from injuries or with health conditions that prevented them from bending or standing. As a form of aerobic exercise, chair aerobic workouts are are good for all fitness levels when sustained for at least 20-30 minutes. It is also a key stepping stone for those wanting to get into better shape and who have never exercised before.

You can now do chair aerobics in the comfort of your own home thanks to the Chair Aerobics for Everyone video series, whichis a safe and effective low-impact workout. This video series is an effective alternative to conventional exercise if you have never exercised, cannot stand for a prolonged amount of time or are just returning to a fitness routine. The Chair Aerobics video series is also challenging enough for people at higher fitness levels who want to exercise in a limited space, such as at the office.

With ten different videos, there are options to suite a matter of tastes and aerobic needs including chair aerobics, chair boxing, chair yoga, chair bellydancing, wheelchair workout and exercises for the bedridden.

Dont forget to tune into KTLA every day in May for every newscast for tips on health and fitness. You too can lose 5 with 5!

For more information or to order a video, visit the website.

Feel free to call Gayle Anderson at323-460-5732or e-mail Gayle atGayle.Anderson@KTLA.com

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Exercises for the Injured- Chair Aerobics

Expert from The University of Texas MD Anderson explains benefits of yoga and styles for all fitness levels

Yoga is a beneficial exercise for both the body and the mind, and a regular practice can help people maintain a healthy weight and an active lifestyle, two traits known to help prevent cancer.

Some styles of yoga include postures and movements that may get your heart pumping, said Alejandro Chaoul, Ph.D., assistant professor in MD Andersons Integrative Medicine Program. And if your heart rate goes up for an extended period of time, you can count it as exercise. In addition, yoga is a mind-body practice that guides the body through a series of breathing exercises. These activities can help relieve stress and improve your overall health.

Other health benefits of yoga include increased flexibility, improved circulation, improved mood, increased balance and better sleep. There are many different styles of yoga to choose from based on fitness level and goals. Hatha yoga is a popular style that follows well-known methods for doing certain postures and breathing. It can either be very gentle or intense, depending on how its being practiced. Below is a list of other styles of yoga.

1. Ashtanga or Power Yoga is a more athletic style of yoga. Its fast pace gets the heart rate up and helps the participant lose weight.

2. Kundalini Yoga has a strong focus on meditation. It promotes proper breathing and chanting. While it may not increase the participants heart rate, this type of yoga can improve mental clarity and flexibility.

3. Bikram Yoga is also known as hot yoga. It strengthens the body through a series of physically challenging positions in a 105-degree room with 40 percent humidity. This exercise makes the participant sweat and relaxes his or her muscles for a deeper stretch and workout.

4. Tibetan Yoga focuses on controlled breathing, simple movements and meditation. This type of yoga can improve sleep, lessen fatigue and reduce stress.

No one style of yoga is best, Chaoul said. Its more important that you find a class and type that works for you.

To learn more about the MD Anderson Regional Care Center in the Bay Area, visit http://www.mdanderson.org/bayarea.

Original post:
Yoga: Build a strong body and mind