About Chair Yoga
Chair yoga describes a gentle form of the exercise that people can perform sitting in a chair or standing while using a chair for balance or support. In chair yoga, people do not have to deal with getting down onto the floor and back up again. Chair yoga is becoming increasingly popular with senior citizens and is excellent for people with limited mobility.
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Significance
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Chair yoga provides an excellent opportunity for people to learn and enjoy beneficial yoga stretching, breathing techniques, meditation and step-by-step relaxation methods without having to do movements that are difficult or painful. Almost anyone who is physically unable to participate in traditional yoga can do chair yoga. It is a perfect option for people in wheelchairs, with weight issues, arthritis, severe heart disease, chronic pain, breathing problems or multiple sclerosis. Chair yoga also is beneficial for people with temporary disabilities such as broken bones, or physical issues resulting from an accident or surgery.
Benefits
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All of the most common yoga poses, or asanas, can be modified to do in a chair, or with two chairs. Two-chair asanas use one to sit in and one for more complicated arm or leg poses. Chair yoga can provide a good level of physical fitness even though the person remains sitting. The exercises stretch and tighten muscles like other forms of yoga do and provide relaxation benefits.
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Features
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Some teachers use chair yoga as a beginning technique before having students try more classic and more difficult yoga poses. The chair allows people to attempt more difficult poses while having an anchor to stay balanced. Students often learn that they are stronger and more flexible than they expected.
Effects
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Chair yoga also is a way for people who sit at a desk all day to sneak in some exercise and relaxation methods. People can easily do wrist and ankle rotations, lower-back stretching and other stretches, and deep-breathing techniques while at their work station. These routines are also beneficial for relieving stress on the job.
Potential
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According to a 2003 survey by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, over 13 million Americans practice yoga or other similar exercises. About 1.5 million of those people were 55 or older. This provides potential for career opportunities in teaching gentle forms of yoga to an aging population and conducting regular group sessions. Many facilities offer modified yoga for seniors and disabled persons, such as rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, senior centers and assisted-living residential complexes.
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