Movement workshop - Using a stick

Use a long stick like a broom handle to help you move through this soft seated movement routine inspired by yoga, helping you build strength, stability and flexibility in your joints and muscles. This is video eight in a series of eight.


Who is this for?

This is a workshop for people who are deafblind or have complex disabilities and can be enjoyed by anyone.

Why does this make a difference?

This is a sports activity that promotes fitness and wellbeing, and helps people use their senses to connect with their surroundings, exploring touch while supporting independent choice and self-expression.

How to take part

Watch the video below.

What happens in the video?

Step 1

Before you get started, make sure you have a clear space around you, a chair nearby, a glass of water and your stick, like a broom handle or similar. Remember to take breaks whenever you need.

Step 2

First, hold the stick, feeling the texture, its weight, and moving your hands along it, finally letting them come to hold in the middle of the stick.

Step 3

Gently twist the stick to the side, moving your body and spine with it, moving very slowly, from one side to the other. Then, widen your grip and repeat. Finally, move your hands right to the ends of the stick, and repeat.

Step 4

Place the stick between your knees on the ground, and bring your feet to touch around the stick, holding it still. Grip the top of the stick and push it forward while maintaining the grip with your feet, then go backwards, in a sort of rowing motion. See how much motion you can get.

Step 5

Keep the stick where it is, but widen your feet, and begin making a wide stirring motion moving the top of the stick while making sure the base of the stick isn’t moving.

Step 6

Hold the stick with a wide grip, then take turns lifting one knee after the other so it touches the stick. Then try lifting the knee past the inside of the stick, and then lowering the stick to touch the top of your foot, like in the video. Repeat on the other side.

Step 7

Move your hands a little closer together, and lower the stick to waist height, and begin turning slowly from left to right. Widen your grip to shoulder-width, and repeat.

Step 8

Then, try lifting the stick up above your head, until your arms are straight, enjoying the nice spine stretch and trying to sit as tall as you can, pressing your feet down and your knuckles upwards. See how it feels to move your hands closer together while your arms are in the air, and start making a small circle, as though you’re drawing a halo over your head.

Step 9

Finish by resting the stick over your legs, noticing how you feel, and bringing your palms together in a prayer position or a ‘namaste’.

This activity was created by Sally from My Yoga Mind.