Paula’s work has attracted growing attention in news stories on chair yoga, with widespread coverage across radio, press and television. Here’s a snapshot of her media appearances:
2GB Radio
Paula was interviewed on Sydney radio station 2GB by John Stanley, where she spoke about chair yoga and its benefits for seniors, including staying active, improving mobility, and exercising safely at home.
Channel 7 Sunrise
In this news story, Paula featured on Channel 7’s Sunrise in 2024, chatting about chair yoga with Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington . Watch as Natalie and Matt jump in and try some of the moves themselves!
Channel 9’s Today Show
When the pandemic forced classes online, Paula helped seniors stay active and connected through chair yoga — a story featured on Channel 9’s Today Extra, highlighting seniors’ enthusiastic adoption of Zoom.
The Hornsby Advocate
The Hornsby Advocate, 26 February 2020 p 15
Sydney Observer
Chair Yoga for Seniors
Chair yoga’s motto is ‘Sit down for your health’, and this one line simply sums up chair yoga’s initiative.
Targeted at seniors but suitable for all ages, the gentle movements in this class not only uplift and elevate the body but will help your mind flow into a state of calm.
I had the pleasure of attending a class and spoke to Paula O’Connell who conducts the local activity. Paula started running the classes in St Ives after she saw the difference and benefit it can have on the physical and mental wellbeing of individuals. All the poses are modified for a chair and the difficulty levels can be tailored towards numerous ages and skill sets.
“I want the students to be physically active for as long as possible, so they keep their independence. If they can have more strength and stability given from yoga classes, then that’s better for them.,” states Paula.
I also spoke to some of the lovely students who shared why they are so fond of chair yoga.
Roz
Roz has had two hip replacements and a broken femur. She used to do yoga and after reading about chair yoga she decided to come to a class. She has been coming to the classes twice a week and says its fantastic. She moved elegantly and effortlessly in the class and incorporates the movements into her daily routine.
Helen
Another student, Helen, decided to come to yoga because she has bad lungs. She needs to do gentle exercises and finds the activities in the class help with her breathing. She says it has helped to loosen her joints and mind.
Brendan
After Brendan broke his pelvis, he started coming to chair yoga and found that the exercises were useful and helped build his strength back. He said he will be celebrating his 90th birthday this month and he never thought he’d be involved in yoga. He cheekily said he loves telling people he’s going to his yoga class.
By Hannah Prasad, Sydney Observer p 18
https://www.sydneyobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Observer_June_2019_web.pdf
The North Shore Times
Not such a stretch
Chair yoga can help older residents improve their mobility and confidence, says teacher.
Can you perform yoga exercises while sitting on a chair?
Just ask Brendan O’Connell, whose active days might have ended by a broken hip if not for the fact that his daughter happens to teach chair yoga for seniors.
The St Ives 88-year-old, who had enjoyed a good hour’s walk a day, found he didn’t have the strength he used to after time in hospital and rehabilitation.
He found that most exercise classes were performed either standing or sitting on a mat. Standing for more than two minutes was too challenging, and he didn’t want to be floor bound, as he couldn’t get up with any dignity. Enter his daughter, Paula. After joining her classes he says” “I’m now back doing my daily walk and feel as fit as I was before I broke my hip.”
“I am less fearful of falling again as chair yoga also takes us through exercises wher ewe balance with the support of a chair,” said Mr O’Connell. who also still does some work as a chartered accountant.
“Dad had stopped driving, walking and was thinking, ‘I’ve got really old.’ That’s where he was going mentally,” said daughter Paula, a business consultant and keen yoga practitioner for 20 years.”The confidence Dad got was amazing. He is back driving and has just got his licence renewed.”
“Chair yoga takes the traditional poses (or asanas) and adapts them for the chair. Our students do sun salutations and even downward dogs (a sort of harbour bridge body shape) all from a seated position.”
“Our students tend to be people who used to be active playing tennis or golf, but find that playing these sports is no longer available to them.”
By Doug Conway, The North Shore Times, 31 May 2018 p25