The defining characteristic of ‘Chair Yoga’ would be its gentle approach. This form of yoga is practiced whilst seated in a chair or the chair may be used as a prop for support, whilst standing. It does not have any recognition as a distinct or unique school of yoga, like other disciplines such as Kundalini Yoga or Bikram Yoga, but its practices comprise of poses or asanas that are generally adaptations of poses from Hatha Yoga. There are numerous schools of yoga in existence today, some credible, some that are not, but most of them no matter how beneficial, can not be practiced universally. This form of yoga is extremely accessible, as the practice does not call for performing complicated and strenuous maneuvers or inversions. The use of a chair as a yoga prop is particularly helpful for balancing poses, and its use can also be implemented in many other poses. Determination and motivation are all that are needed from the practitioner.

Chair Yoga Poses

Traditional yoga disciplines when practiced as per their stipulated guidelines can be restrictive in terms of practitioners, because many of the sequences and poses are demanding and can not be practiced by individuals with limited mobility and flexibility. This means that chair yoga is boon for the aged and infirm, people with physical disabilities, and even those with a number of disorders that significantly reduce flexibility. Unlike other yoga disciplines, where the classes are conducted and practitioners are imparted with yoga training as a way of life, in Chair Yoga the main goal is to improve mobility, flexibility, and overall health, and prevent or restrict deterioration. Chair Yoga is in fact recommended by many health care practitioners and classes are in fact conducted in many retirement facilities, nursing homes, and fitness centers for the aged.

The yoga teacher at such sessions would need to have a great deal of patience and understanding, offering motivation and counsel to those in his care. A yoga instructor in a Chair Yoga session will always be well informed and familiar with the health concerns of his students. This is of particular importance, given the nature of the afflictions of these practitioners. Chair Yoga includes almost all types of asanas or poses, like the seated, supine, standing, and prone postures, but most classes are restricted to the use of a chair, as getting down or up from the floor can be too demanding. Breathing techniques and meditation techniques are also practiced and these are particularly helpful, for both physical and mental health.