Exercises to help get up off the floor.

Armchair exercises to try every day. Get up out of the armchair without holding/ resting on the arms. You'll have to practice it a couple of times a day.
It strengthens the legs and also the abdomen, because you push yourself up keeping both feet on the floor then use the rest of your body to heave yourself up.

Have a go each time you sit down. I've got it off to a fine art now though I don't have your problems it just improves my posture.

It'll also allow you to adopt a way of getting up off the floor.

Hello Retired65. I'll be 72 in just over a week. My leg muscles are not as strong as they use to be and I'm now missing my Pilates classes but I do walk the dog a lot.

I've just found this YouTube video and have tried it out. Promised myself that I will do it a few times every day.

Good luck.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dv13ETWbAZQ

I hate to say it, but losing that extra weight would help a lot! I found that when I started to take Turmeric regularly it seemed to ease my joints and I now find getting up from a squatting position much easier. It took about six weeks to notice any difference.

There are lots of yoga classes on line, from simple to advanced.
Try "Do Yoga With Me', it's an excellent site with many free classes, or you can join for a small monthly fee.

Moving in general will help - get out for a walk every day if you can, or do squats and chair-sits often.

Could you try a walk every day? Over the Christmas break try 15 minutes at first then build up to longer?
The standing up from seated exercise EllanVannin recommended is very good. I try to do it in sets of 10 (when I remember!) Also, as mentioned, there's nothing like losing a bit of weight. I lost a fair bit last spring and found it made a huge difference. My stamina increased which surprised me and BP dropped.
Good luck!

I highly recommend an Australian physio/exercise company called Be Mobile. I did some of their free exercise programs and then signed up for their 8-week exercise program.

After that, I wanted to continue so took out an annual subscription.

You can check out Be Mobile by clicking here.

Thank you all for your suggestions. I already do the getting out of the armchair without using my arms. During the holidays I do walk everyday to get the newspaper, 20 minutes there and 20 minutes back. I will try taking turmeric & I will certainly look online for the suggested classes. Thanks.

A physio has advised me to do yoga bridges and standing on tip toe repeatedly to strengthen my leg muscles. Should help you getting up from the floor. Walking is good for general fitness but you need to do muscle strengthening exercises as well. The NHS site has some.

Not many people have heard of Feldenkrais but it's a very gentle system of movement. This video shows a method of getting up from the floor that might be helpful for some:

youtu.be/Q9VsxiE_iQU

Attending a class and doing this with a teacher would obviously be the best. It's very suitable for seniors.

Very interesting JillyJosie2. I'm almost tempted to try those spiral movements but I'm still so scared. Also I'm so stiff!

From a practical, "Help! I'm stuck in the floor!" perspective, it is recommended to crawl to something to hold onto, like a chair, to help you get up in stages if necessary.

Aveline I think it would be important to do it very slowly and to practice the approach movement where she says several times to keep your eyes on the hand coming from up behind you because that keeps the movement controlled. Also, don't try and get up the first or even the tenth time if it doesn't feel right but just notice the slight momentum that will help you to shift your weight on the floor.
I used to love Feldenkrais, it's so slow but effective, no classes where I live now,sadly.

After a knee replacement a few years ago, I found the lesser bend I was left with in my knee made it really difficult to get up and down off the floor. I started yoga once a week three years ago and am able to get up from the floor easily now by getting into the downward dog position and walking my feet towards my hands. I think yoga is a must over 60 to preserve balance, strength and flexibility.

Also in terms of your work there is a variety of equipment you can use so you are at a level with the children but not on the floor. I work ina similar field and sometimes use a stool type thing on wheels, much easier for the back.