Chair Yoga

Yoga is for everyone! I love discussing the practice of yoga with my friends, family, and acquaintances. I've met people who see yoga as a practice that only super bendy, athletic people can do. They think it's unattainable and simply too difficult to attempt. But I'm here to tell you peeps that yoga is for everyone! It has become a popular practice and the results are amazing. Incredible yogis have introduced different styles of yoga giving people the opportunity to choose what best suits them.

I was introduced to chair yoga a few years ago when I became a part of the Christina Phipps Foundation. I was given the opportunity to learn ways of incorporating yoga poses and sequences in a chair for people who may have limited mobility or for those who wanted a different approach to learning yoga. I did additional research and began teaching a weekly chair yoga class to a group of amazing women. Chair yoga was implemented at the site I volunteered at as a way for people to practice yoga at a gentle pace. I received amazing feedback from my students and I was honored to share my practice with them. Teaching chair yoga also opened my mind and provided me with additional information to further my own yoga journey.

I created a short sequence and prepared pamphlets to pass out to my students. This provided them the opportunity to implement yoga in their daily lives instead of having to wait for our weekly class to practice. Below is the sequence I created for gentle chair yoga. Remember, be mindful of how your body is feeling each day and only go as far as you are comfortable. Each pose can be repeated as many times as you would like.

This is a short and fun sequence that can be done when you wake up, when you're at work, or watching TV at home. If you are interested in learning more about chair yoga, search the web or ask your local yoga studio where classes may be offered. I think chair yoga is a great way of beginning a yoga journey. Enjoy this mini sequence, and continue to grow in your practice. We are forever students in this world. Peace!

Cat / Cow

1) Cow: Inhale, begin to arch your back, drop the shoulders, and slowly gaze up.

2) Cat: Exhale, round the spine, let shoulders and head come forward.

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Shoulder Exercise

1) Inhale, shrug shoulders up towards ears.

2) Exhale, shoulders come down. (Not pictured)

3) Inhale, extend both arms in front of you, move shoulders away from spine.

4) Exhale, lower arms, and place palms on to lap.

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Cactus Pose

1) Lift arms to the sides, bend elbows 90 degrees, and rotate palms to face your head. Take 3-5 breaths.

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Forward Fold

1) Inhale, raise arms into Cactus Pose.

2) Exhale, fold forward over legs. Rest your hands on the knees, shins, or feet.

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Seated Twist

1) Sit sideways on the chair facing right. Hold on to the back of the chair.

2) Inhale, lengthen your spine and neck. Feel yourself sitting tall.

3) Exhale, twist torso to the right holding on to the back of the chair. Alternate sides.

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