What is Chair Yoga?

Literally, the images above are yoga poses with a chair or two; however, this goes against my teachings. If you've taken any of my classes (private or group), you'll recall my words, "Listen to your body. Only go as far as it feels comfortable for you." So, play it safe! Do not attempt the exercises above.

Yoga is over 5,000 years old. It’s one of the oldest ongoing systems of personal development. It’s believed that around 200 B.C.E. a wise man named Patanjali gathered core principals of yogic philosophy known as the Yoga Sutras. He is considered the father of yoga. 

Chair yoga was developed in 1982 by Lakshmi Voelker-Binder after seeing that one of her students, only in her thirties, was unable to do floor poses because of her arthritis. 

Chair yoga allows EVERY person to take advantage of the physical and psychological benefits of yoga. Using a chair as a prop allows individuals with hesitancy, tightness, balance problems, stiffness, injuries, physical disabilities, and so forth, to practice yoga with security and confidence. This provides encouragement, a reduction of pain or discomfort, and support for the body.

Chairs also assist one in finding the proper pose with correct alignment and safety. The use of this prop is also useful for added height for forward movements, for balance, and to assist one in getting down to and back up from the floor. 

Below, I've provided 5 most beneficial chair yoga poses. They are safe enough to do every day ​to help detoxify, stretch, and provide burst of daily energy. 

And if you want to improve your health and wellbeing and are searching for a yoga teacher who will create a safe, customized chair yoga practice just for you, then search no more! Click here to take the first step.

Merry Christmas. Feliz Navidad. Namaste.