The Benefits of Chair Yoga
Yoga has many widely known benefits, including improved strength, flexibility, posture, and balance. Sadly, some individuals may feel that these benefits are out of reach for them, particularly the elderly, disabled, or those with injuries. As a highly athletic practice even at the beginner level, most yoga classes may simply not be a realistic exercise for many people.
“Through the use of a chair for support, the benefits of yoga instantly become accessible to everyone”
Thankfully, a form of the practice known as Chair Yoga is rising in popularity and is an excellent option for anyone with limited strength or mobility. Through the use of a chair for support, the benefits of yoga instantly become accessible to everyone. Even for those who don't experience physical limitations, Chair Yoga can be performed at a desk throughout the day to maintain a healthier lifestyle overall.
What is Chair Yoga?
Popularized in the 1980s by a yoga instructor named Lakshmi Voelker, Chair Yoga was developed as a gentle and safe way to practice yoga, using a chair as a prop. By performing yoga poses while seated on a chair, the risk of falling and injury is greatly decreased and allows practitioners to reap all the benefits of yoga regardless of their physical challenges or limitations. It transforms the practice of yoga into a low-impact option for those with injuries and is even great for those who spend long periods working at a desk.
Benefits of Chair Yoga
Increased Flexibility
Flexibility is one of the first things to go as we age or become sedentary due to certain life circumstances, and chair yoga allows practitioners to maintain and even improve their flexibility over time. Flexibility is crucial in avoiding injury/falling, reducing pain, and maintaining mobility.
Improved Strength
Chair yoga helps practitioners to engage muscles they might not normally use, and when performed consistently can increase strength and muscle tone throughout the body, which also helps to avoid injury and falls.
Reduced Pain & Tension
By increasing flexibility, strength, and mobility, in addition to keeping joints loose from regular movement, Chair Yoga practitioners may experience reduced pain and tension in various regions of the body, such as the neck and shoulders, upper and lower back, and knees.
Reduced Stress & Anxiety
Physical activity releases endorphins, which has been shown to improve mood and lower stress hormones such as cortisol.
Improved Mental Clarity & Focus
By reducing stress and anxiety, while also cultivating the meditative state that often accompanies yoga, practitioners may experience better mental functioning and concentration, which is especially important to maintain as we age.
Why Do Naked Chair Yoga?
We can now see why Chair Yoga is beneficial, so why not try Naked Chair Yoga? Naked Chair Yoga combines all the benefits of Naked Yoga with the benefits of Chair Yoga, and can be practiced in the privacy of your own home. Some of the added benefits described by Naked Chair Yoga practitioners include:
Greater Self-love & Body Positivity
By doing yoga in your most natural state, you can gain an appreciation for your body exactly as it is, regardless of age, shape, size, or physical ability.
Less Distraction
Sometimes when we perform yoga, especially on a chair, clothing can get twisted or in the way, which can be extremely distracting in some of the more meditative poses. By removing the variable of clothing, it allows you to focus 100% on the pose.
More Confidence
Many people report feeling more comfortable with themselves over time simply by spending more time naked. When you feel more confident with yourself in your most vulnerable state, this confidence can radiate out to other areas of your life.
Ready to try Chair Yoga today?
Follow along as our experienced teachers guide you through our gentle-yet-effective Chair Yoga programs today.
