Chair Yoga: why chair yoga can make movement more accessible

Sometimes our bodies tell us no!

But this can mean that the way we move needs to change.

Mobility can change. Balance can change. Getting down onto the floor — and, perhaps more importantly, getting back up again — can become more difficult.

For some people, these changes gradually make traditional exercise classes feel less accessible.

Yoga can be adapted too.

And sometimes, a chair can completely change what's possible.

 

What is chair yoga?

Chair yoga adapts elements of yoga and gentle movement so that a chair can be used for sitting, stability or additional support.

That doesn't make it a lesser version of yoga.

It makes yoga more accessible.

Depending on the person or group, a session might involve movements for the arms and shoulders, gentle spinal movement, movement through the legs and feet, breathing exercises and relaxation.

Some people may complete an entire session sitting down. Others might use the chair for support during standing movements or just for balance.

There isn't one correct way to take part.

 

Why is chair yoga useful?

Traditional images of yoga tend to involve people sitting or lying on a mat.

That alone can create a barrier.

If you're concerned about balance, experience reduced mobility or simply don't feel confident getting down onto the floor, you may assume yoga isn't available to you.

A chair gives us another option.

Instead of focusing on what someone can't do, we can look at what movement is available and build from there.

That's an important part of my approach to yoga generally.

 

Movement can still be meaningful when it's gentle

There's a tendency to associate worthwhile exercise with intensity.

Sweating. Struggling. Going further. Doing more.

But movement doesn't need to be extreme to have value.

Simply taking some time to intentionally move different parts of the body can be a meaningful activity.

A chair-based session can encourage participants to explore comfortable movement through areas such as their shoulders, arms, spine, legs and ankles while remaining supported.

It can also create an opportunity to focus on breathing, relaxation and body awareness.

The objective isn't to achieve an impressive yoga pose.

It's to help people continue experiencing movement in a way that feels appropriate for them.

 

Confidence matters too

Physical ability isn't the only barrier to exercise.

Confidence can be just as important.

Someone who hasn't attended an exercise class for many years may feel nervous about joining one. They might worry about using a chair, not being able to keep up or drawing attention to something they find difficult.

An accessible chair yoga session removes much of that pressure.

Nobody needs to get onto the floor.

Movements can have different options.

Resting is allowed.

And success isn't measured by how far somebody can stretch.

For some people, that can make movement feel enjoyable again.

 

There's a social side to movement

This is particularly important when we're talking about yoga within community settings.

The value isn't necessarily limited to the movements taking place during the session.

Group wellbeing activities give people an opportunity to come together, talk, laugh and share an experience.

That's why I believe community is such an important part of wellbeing.

Sometimes people arrive for the activity and discover that the social connection surrounding it is just as valuable to them.

 

Everyone is different

We need to be careful about talking about who yoga is for as though everyone over a certain age or restricted mobility suddenly has the same body and needs.

They don't.

One person in their seventies might attend regular yoga classes, walk miles every week and have excellent mobility.

Someone else may need considerably more support.

That's why my approach begins with the individual or group in front of me.

A chair is simply another tool we can use to make movement more accessible.

 

Chair yoga in community settings

Community Yoga with Sam can provide accessible yoga, chair-based movement and wider wellbeing activities for care settings and community organisations.

Sessions can be adapted around the needs of the group rather than delivered as a fixed traditional yoga class.

For organisations, this can form part of a one-off activity, wellbeing day or a longer programme of activities.

The important thing is creating something people can genuinely participate in and enjoy.

Because yoga shouldn't stop being available simply because getting onto a mat isn't.

If you have concerns about whether yoga or a particular form of movement is appropriate for you, especially if you have a medical condition, injury or mobility concerns, speak to an appropriate healthcare professional.