Why Do Chair Yoga? 10 Benefits.
(1) It makes Yoga accessible for those who struggle to get onto the floor.
If being floor based is not for you because getting up and down is difficult for whatever reason and, yet you want to make Yoga part of your life then, being chair based means you can do exactly that. Its for those who are middle aged upwards, who have mobility challenges, disabilities and or injuries, but this means its for anyone of any age who suffers those problems, including those waiting for procedures to be done and want to recover quicker afterwards. Its for those who are chair based through work, who experience stiffness in the back and legs and cannot face hardcore exercise, who maybe do not have time to exercise and want something to incorporate into their day, whilst they are sitting at their wrok seat.
Postures that can be adapted to the chair are the postures that are carried out and over time the chair can be adapted as a support or as a prop, because improvements have been achieved in the body’s ability.
(2) Being More Active
If you can’t find time to be active, then learning to become active whilst sitting on a chair any time of the day is a benefit you can utilise outside of the class. Initially remembering the movements might seem beyond you but over time as it all becomes familiar and you find yourself able to move more and move better, and stiffness were to overcome you the knowledge of movement on the chair will permit you to execute postures whenever and wherever you are.
(3) Releasing Tension and Pain
Yoga is renowned for its ability to alleviate and release pain. This is no less true for the postures being carried out on the chair. Infact as you improve and the more you use the chair as a support or prop, the better your ability to improve pain conditions or tension release.
(4) Getting Better Sleep
Because you are executing Yoga postures, even on a chair you will be working at parasympathetic nervous system level through your breathwork. This has impact on your cortisol levels lowering your stress responses. It has a calming impact on your blood pressure. These things will promote and support your ability to sleep, particularly during times of menopause and where age negatively impacts your ability to sleep.
(5) Becoming More Flexible
Consistently committing to Yoga Practice, even on a chair will improve your flexibility. The added benefit of attending classes with Feel Good Therapy is that you get to access a Thursday night Zoom Class which is free of charge. This means if you wish you can undertake two classes.
(6) Increasing Stability and Strength
Core strength, muscular strength and stability will be increased and the benefit of this to you in terms of ease of movement and achieving more in your day, possibly playing with grandchildren if you have them or doing more on holiday or just being able to get around better and more easily will be a value you will cherish.
(7) Improving Balance and Avoiding Falls
Even though you will be predominantly chair based, Yoga has some fundemental requirements, balance, twists, bends etc. This will be addressed during practice. If you can’t balance to begin with then by working on your muscle strenght, particularly of your feet and ankles and of your knees, hips and buttocks, you can work towards better stability to attain balance, even if that might require you to hold the chair in order to achieve this.
(8) Reducing Stress
I touched on this briefly in an earlier section, but stress is often the cause of so many physical problems. Between the breathwork and the reduction of blood cortisol stress will be positively addressed.
(9) Feeling Energised
Everyone who takes on exercise, no matter what sort of exercise will experience an improvement in energy levels. Feeling energised enables you to do more, particularly if your joints are stronger and less stiff. This benefit is realised in your daily ability to do so much more.
(10) Social Connections
In class you are in a very positive social environment, that permits you to make connections and if this is something you lack in your daily life then coming to this class will positively impact your psyche. Group sessions are renowned for creating the kind of energy that unifies mind and body and soul for peace and inner joy.
Chair Yoga at Feel Good Therapy
There is a Monday morning class of Chair Yoga at Pinchbeck Library beginning at 9.30am. There is also a class at 4pm every Tuesday at the Marjoram Hall in Gosberton Risegate. But you do have the additional chance of joining the Zoom class for free.