Troy Hurst holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Carroll University. He is a physical therapist specializing in both athletic and vestibular rehabilitation with an emphasis on performance running.
Yoga is an age-old Indian-based practice that can be used for both spiritual and physical well being. In fact, studies on the physical benefits of yoga show that this practice can not only help you lose weight, but can also help practitioners improve their mental and emotional health, sleep and even help with the management of chronic pain and other illnesses. Any of which would improve quality of life (1).
However, despite all these benefits, the practice has remained largely inaccessible to specific groups of people, largely due to the flexibility required to complete most yoga poses. This is where chair yoga comes in. Chair yoga is a modified form of general yoga that allows the practitioner to perform the moves/poses while seated or while standing and using the chair for support (2).
If this sounds like a good alternative for you, read on to learn more about how to do chair yoga, the science backed benefits of this practice and much more.
Yes, chair yoga is a very beginner friendly exercise. Because you are either doing the poses while seated or standing while using a chair for support, you do not have to worry about losing your balance and falling over.
Secondly, chair yoga, unlike regular yoga, does not demand as much flexibility – this makes it a good alternative for older adults, persons with mobility issues or anyone else who might not be as flexible and would like to gradually work on this without a high risk of injury.
This, however, is not the only advantage of this exercise. Here are some more benefits of chair yoga.
Also known as functional training, this is a type of exercise that supports everyday life by making actions such as walking, lifting things, bending over, sitting down, etc. easier to do.
In a study published earlier this year, researchers found that when older women who were suffering from knee osteoarthritis did chair yoga twice a week for 12 weeks, the analysis of their physical health showed improved functional fitness and daily life activity. These scores were much higher than before the chair yoga intervention and better than for the women in the study who did not take part in this exercise (3).
While the above experiment might have shown the benefits of chair yoga for seniors specifically, it is important to note that we can all benefit from better functional fitness. Taking part in this exercise can make completing physical tasks in your everyday life feel simpler.
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From the study mentioned above (3), we can see that taking part in chair yoga exercises can help manage issues caused by bone loss. That said, did you know that doing this exercise could slow down and perhaps even prevent this issue from happening altogether?
In one study published in the Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation journal in 2016, researchers found that doing yoga for 12 minutes a day can help reverse osteoporotic bone loss. The ten-year study that involved over 700 volunteers found that this exercise can improve the bone density in the practitioner’s spine, hips, and femurs (4).
A more recent study also suggests that practicing yoga can prevent and reverse bone loss (5). While osteoporosis and osteoarthritis are often seen as ‘old people diseases’ , experts warn that anyone, regardless of age, can be affected by them (6, 7). Choosing to do chair yoga or any other kind of yoga can help prevent this issue.
In a study published in Brain Plasticity in 2019, research reviewers found that practicing yoga has positive effects on structure and/or function of several parts of the brain, namely the hippocampus, amygdala, prefrontal cortex, cingulate cortex and brain networks, including the default mode network (8).
These different parts have different roles in the processing of memory, emotions, thoughts, actions and pain.
In a study published later in 2022, researchers found that doing chair yoga could have these same positive effects on the brain. In the research following older patients with dementia, patients did a 60 minute chair yoga at home routine, twice a week for 8 weeks. At the end of the study, research results found that the practice was able to increase their memory retention by 70% and adherence by 87.5% (9).
Both of these studies go to show that while this simple practice is mainly praised for its physical benefits, it can also do a lot for your brain. If you start feeling sluggish at school or in the office, try some simple work-friendly chair yoga poses and they might just help you think and understand things better.
Having good balance is essential as it reduces the risk of falls, which in turn prevents injury and makes everyday activities easier. Good balance is also important for those who workout regularly as it improves coordination in the muscles, tendons, bones, eyes, ears and brain which also prevents injury and can also improve your performance.
Studies have shown that better balance is one of the benefits of both regular and chair yoga which can reduce the risk of falls, injury, and fractures, especially in older adults (5, 10, 11).
Read more: 21 Day Chair Yoga: Reasons To Add This Challenge To Your Routine
Weightlifting is often the go to exercise for those who would like to increase their muscle strength. However, if you do not have the time or ability to do traditional strength training, adding chair yoga for beginners to your routine could help you out.
One study published in 2019 showed that chair yoga exercises can help improve muscle strength in sedentary persons. In the study, 31 sedentary community-dwelling older women were divided into 2 groups – an experimental group of 16 people and a control group of 15 people.
The women in the experimental group took part in chair yoga exercises twice a week for 110 minutes a session for 12 weeks. The women in the control group were advised to simply maintain their daily regular activities.
At the end of the 12 weeks researchers found that the women in the experimental group displayed significant improvements in their handgrip strength, upper and lower limb muscle strength, static and dynamic balance, agility, and overall well-being (11).
Aside from the above mentioned positive effects of chair yoga, this workout can also help improve your posture, coordination, range of motion and flexibility in upper and lower body limbs, reduce anxiety, reduce body mass index, improve functional independence in older adults and generally improve the quality of life of anyone who participates in the practice (2, 3, 5, 10, 11).
The most important tool of chair yoga is the chair in question. Getting the wrong chair could ruin your whole experience. This is what you need to know when choosing one.
Some things to keep in mind
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The chair pose, also known as Utkatasana, is one of the best yoga poses for beginners. This pose helps to strengthen the core muscles, as well as the lower back muscles, quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes.
Generally, this workout is not done with a chair but you can place a chair behind you as security in case you fall back while trying to hold the pose. With that said, here are simple step-by-step instructions to help you get into this pose.
Read more: Unlocking Relaxation: The Magic of Restorative Chair Yoga
Research has shown that chair yoga can improve muscle strength and aid in reducing the BMI of participants (11, 3), so, yes, chair yoga could help you get in shape. However, remember there are many other lifestyle factors that are equally as important in getting into shape that must also be addressed. Some of these lifestyle factors include diet, hydration, sleep, and stress management..
It’s impossible to say. We all lose weight and gain muscle at different rates so it can be hard to predict when each individual will see their desired results on an exercise regimen. However, if you want results, ensure that you are doing the best chair yoga for beginners routine 3 to 5 days a week, fix your sleep schedule, drink the recommended amount of water, and choose the right foods to match your goals.
Yoga poses are usually held for up to 1 minute. If you feel sharp pain, discontinue the exercise and find a modification that works for you.
Chair yoga offers a versatile and accessible way for individuals of all fitness levels to enjoy the benefits of yoga. By incorporating chair yoga into your routine, you can improve functional fitness, bone health, brain health, balance, muscle strength, and more.
This practice is particularly beneficial for older adults and those with mobility limitations, providing a safe and effective way to enhance overall well-being. Whether you’re a beginner or only someone looking for a low-impact exercise option, chair yoga can be a valuable addition to your fitness journey, promoting both physical and mental health.
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