Chair Yoga 101
By Sadie Leigh Hello lovely Yoga Heights community and good people of the internet! I’m Sadie, and I teach the Chair Yoga class every Tuesday morning at Yoga Heights!Who comes to chair yoga?
The Tuesday morning class is largely populated by seniors who come from the Bernice Fonteneau Senior Wellness Center, which is managed by Mary’s Center. They're a wonderful group of people, and extremely welcoming. But anyone is welcome to come to class, no need to be affiliated with the Center! I've had students who -
- are recovering from surgery or injury
- have limited mobility
- want to learn more about sharing yoga with various populations
- use a wheelchair
- want to experience a physical practice that is less physically demanding than a traditional vinyasa yoga class
- meant to sign up for a “regular yoga class,” and ended up enjoying the class and returned for another!
What is Chair Yoga like?The exact sequence of events shifts every week, but the general outline of the practice is fairly consistent. Participants sit in wooden folding chairs in a semi-circle, angled towards the front of the room. We tend to start slow, and focus on moving major joints - the neck, shoulders, spine, and hips. About halfway into class, we stand (as we are able), at which point the participants have the option to use their chair for balance and/or support in stretching and experiencing their full range of motion. The class ends with a 5-10 minute relaxation, during which students may choose to remain seated with their eyes closed, or they may opt to lie down on a mat or blanket to rest.
I practice traditional vinyasa yoga regularly, will I be bored?I don't think so! This class definitely moves more slowly than a traditional vinyasa class, but I think returning to basics every now and then is never a bad thing for a strong practice. The extra time allows for the opportunity to really focus and get specific about alignment and isolating different muscle groups, which I really enjoy. That being said, if you're someone who needs to get sweaty in order to enjoy your practice, you might want to stick with a power flow, rocket, or intermediate yoga.I’ve never tried yoga, will I be able to keep up?Absolutely. This class moves at a pretty slow pace, and I always encourage students to modify as needed according to their own conditions. No matter your level of experience or your ability, you'll be able to participate in and benefit from this practice.What are the benefits?Just like any yoga class, or really any physical practice, you’ll receive the many benefits that come with moving your body in ways that you might not usually. A movement practice is of course excellent for the body in terms of physical fitness, maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, balance, and range of motion. And what’s more, this kind of practice is also incredible good for the mind as it creates and strengthens neural pathways that help keep the mind active and sharp. There’s also a meditative aspect to the practice, so it can serve students as a space in which to find some peace, calm, and quiet. In short, the goal is to leave the class feeling more comfortable and at ease in the body, mind, and spirit, regardless of age, experience level, and ability. Sounds good, right? Come give it a try and see for yourself!
Take Chair Yoga with Sadie: Tuesdays at Georgia Avenue - 9:30am