Chair yoga is a set of modified yoga poses that can be done while seated on a chair. Carefully designed to be safe and gentle, chair yoga is an accessible way for seniors who have limited mobility to keep fit.
Chair yoga improves flexibility and balance, reduces stress and anxiety, and has a low impact on joints, making it extremely easy to practise as an older adult. One added benefit for seniors is that it can be done anywhere, anytime.
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What do you need for chair yoga at home?
- An armless, stable chair (no wobbling!)
- A flat, level surface for your chair
- Flexible, comfortable clothing that isn’t too tight or baggy
- Space to fully extend your limbs, a 3-4 ft space around the chair
- Our upcoming video on chair yoga for seniors!
Benefits for older adults:
Helps manage diabetes
Chair yoga postures that stretch the pancreas can stimulate the production of insulin-producing cells. This kind of exercise can also help control weight, an essential component of diabetes management.
Reduces risk of heart disease
By improving circulation, chair yoga can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Further, by improving overall strength and flexibility, chair yoga reduces the stress physical movement causes your heart.
Low impact on joints
Chair yoga is a low-impact form of exercise that is gentle on the joints, as it does not require our seniors to get down on the floor. It helps people who may have arthritis or other joint problems to stay active without putting too much strain on their joints.
Improves flexibility and balance
Some people believe that losing flexibility as we age is inevitable. Actually, flexibility operates on a “use it or lose it” basisChair yoga helps seniors who begin practising in late life strengthen their muscles, connective tissues, and joints, resulting in better balance and flexibility, thereby also reducing the risk of falls.
Improves pain management
Exercise of any kind helps with the release of endorphins, our bodies’ natural painkillers. Chair yoga helps you focus on your breathing and manage pain in addition to reducing some of the pain and discomfort.
Combats stress and anxiety
Chair yoga incorporates breathing exercises and meditation, which can help seniors reduce stress and anxiety, resulting in a better overall sense of well-being.
Chair-based yoga is an appealing exercise option for older adults as it provides easy and safe poses that do not require much exertion and can be adjusted according to your needs. Research also shows that a 30-minute chair yoga routine 2-3 times a week can benefit seniors.
Two things to remember while practising chair yoga is that first, it is alright to skip some movements and extend yourself only as far as is comfortable because your safety is the number one priority. Second, any asana or movement should not produce any pain in its execution. It is advised to stay below the pain threshold.
You’re already sitting, might as well make use of it! Start your chair yoga journey with us today. As a safe, accessible, and enjoyable way to stay active, chair yoga is a great way to be healthier in senior years.
