By Dana Costantino

There are many forms of yoga. As the popularity of practicing yoga continues to grow each year, so does the curiosity surrounding what it means to do yoga and what skills are required to have a successful practice. So often it is assumed that there needs to be a level of flexibility required to start a practice, or that one must be within a certain age group, or any number of other pre-conceived notions, but this is not the case. 

A practice that is gaining much momentum and is seeing a rise in practice is chair yoga. Chair yoga is something for everyone at every level. On top of that, it can be quite fun. The health benefits can be on par with traditional forms of yoga and is a great choice for those who experience physical limitations such as multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular disease, and pulmonary disease. It is also something that can be done while on a plane, at the office, watching TV, and so on.

All that is needed for chair yoga is a comfortable chair or seat. When starting, it’s important to align the posture to ensure a nice and stable straight back. Be careful not to slouch. Some poses to get started are forward bends of the torso as well as a modified cat/cow pose.

Some of the most beneficial results of chair yoga include creating a moving meditation which leads to the promotion of relaxation, reduction of stress, and aids in improved mental clarity. Chair yoga is a great mood booster. Those who practice it will see their confidence rise. It has also been shown to relieve anxiety and depression. 

Now that we’ve covered the many benefits of chair yoga, the only thing left to do is find the perfect chair!  

Dana Costantino is wellness director for Natural Awakenings New York and certified to teach yoga, meditation and aromatherapy. Reach her at [email protected].