Chair Yoga


Chair yoga is a form of yoga as therapy developed by Lakshmi Voelker-Binder in 1982, practiced sitting on a chair, or standing using a chair for support. The poses, or asanas, are often adaptations of modern yoga poses.

Creation

Lakshmi Voelker-Binder created Chair Yoga in 1982, on seeing that one of her pupils, aged only in her thirties, was unable to do floor poses because of arthritis.

Practice

Chair yoga is suitable for students who are new to yoga, confined to a desk at work, or unable to participate in a traditional yoga class because of aging, injury or disability. Chair yoga deepens flexibility, increases range of motion, and strengthens personal body awareness. Chair yoga classes are sometimes made available at senior fitness centers, retirement facilities, and adult daycare centers.
Chair yoga has helped people with the symptoms of many health issues including: hypertension, anxiety, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, vertigo, multiple sclerosis, Osteoporosis, Osteopenia, carpal tunnel syndrome, clinical depression, and chronic pain. Clients can learn many kinds of yoga postures, yoga breathing techniques, meditation, and relaxation methods with the support of a chair.