Do you want to start yoga but want a low impact option? Have mobility limitations? Want a beginner friendly practice that can teach you to the basics? Let me introduce you to chair yoga.
Chair yoga is a modified version of the Hatha yoga practice (which is thousands of years old!). This practice is perfect for those that sit for large amounts of the day, such as people in office jobs and students, those with mobility and stabilization limitations, the elderly, and the beginner yogi. Most yoga poses can be altered into a seated version, making this simple practice very effective and beneficial for both physical and mental health. It also makes it perfect for gradually easing into a yoga practice without the chair.
The benefits of chair yoga can go on and on. The practice decreases and teaches how to manage stress, anxiety, and chronic pain. It builds strength and mobility which results in lowering the risk of injury. Chair yoga can also lower the risk of falls by improving balance by building strength and proprioception. Other benefits include increased and improved flexibility, mental clarity, positivity, and sleep.
The more the practice is done, the greater the benefits are- and since almost everyone can easily have access to a chair each day, this practice is a perfect tool to have and incorporate into your day-to-day life. Whether you need a quick study break, have a few minutes at your desk before a meeting, or are on a long flight, chair yoga is a perfect and convenient way to keep the body and mind healthy!
with love,
Louisa