Simply stated, Chair Yoga is Yoga practiced sitting in a chair. However, it can also just as easily be done lying in bed. Whatever asanas (Yoga poses) are done standing and sitting, supine and prone, are improvised to be done on a chair or lying in bed. Chair Yoga works in tandem with the majority of recommendations for physical rehabilitation. Most physical therapists who teach Chair Yoga are familiar with the basics of Yoga or are Yoga teachers themselves. Many medical practitioners and physical therapists recommend Chair Yoga to recuperating patients.

Chair Yoga Poses

Adapting Chair Yoga poses to individual levels of ability calls for a creative mind and a keen attitude to life. But this being very easily accomplished, it is found that Chair yoga is a just as easy and safe to practise, both physically as well as psychologically. Even the basic initiation poses help increase circulation and oxygenation, and build up core strength. Always practice Chair Yoga gently; bearing in mind that any form of Yoga is better than no Yoga practice at all. The success derived from Yoga practice is not measured by your ability to pull off a pose as much as by a positive attitude and the benefits you are able to derive from doing a pose. An enthusiastic and eager practitioner who is guided by a caring and cheering Yoga instructor can reach new levels of physical well-being and psychological optimism.

Chair Yoga Benefits

Chair Yoga gives practitioners the strength to carry on, when most of them are ready to give up. The recoveries are said to be nothing short of awe-inspiring. People recuperating from strokes, car accidents and heart attacks have been able to get up and walk, earlier and much faster, all thanks to Chair Yoga. No doubt, the courage to persist and keep going comes from within, but Chair Yoga does become an important aspect of their lives.

The muscle tone derived from Chair Yoga comes from stretching and flexing the various muscle groups. It is also an excellent way of relieving stress, anxiety and tension, and to prevent anxiety and depression. Like so many, earlier mentioned, benefits, the overall result is improved physical and mental health, since healthy bodies compliment healthy minds.

For people who are unable to move about, it is also advisable to do some sort of weight resistance or weight bearing exercises. For those who are mobile, Chair Yoga becomes one more weight bearing exercise, which helps in bone building. Through protracted weight resistance, you are able to use machines or free weights. However, in Chair Yoga you are taught to support your own body weight. One of the results of this is higher bone density as well as in preventing Osteoporosis.