Benefits of Chair Yoga for Seniors

Exercise is, without a doubt, critical for health. It’s not just a weight loss aid either. For seniors, exercise helps to:

• Keep them mobile
• Improve muscle tone, strength, and balance
• Promote a range of health outcomes, including better immune and digestive function, along with lower blood pressure
• Create a sense of empowerment
• Reduce age-related muscle loss

There are many healthy and safe ways to exercise, regardless of your age. Low-cost options are also common, including approaches that don’t require any equipment.

But, this post isn’t about exercise in general. We’re focusing on the benefits of chair yoga.

What is Chair Yoga?

Chair yoga is exactly what the name suggests. It is yoga that is conducted sitting on a chair and/or using a chair for balance.

The exercises can sometimes be simple and not push people far out of their comfort zone. There are more involved routines out there too, ones that can be challenging.

As with regular yoga, there are options for every skill group and level of experience.

Why Do Chair Yoga?

The idea might seem unappealing to anyone who loves yoga. The approach won’t offer all the advantages of regular yoga or use the same range of motion.

But, regular yoga isn’t practical for everyone. Chair yoga is a good alternative.

• It is perfect for people with mobility issues, including those who cannot easily get onto the floor (or back up again)
• Chair yoga tends to put less strain on the joints
• Many of the exercises are designed for people with limited mobility, making them more realistic than conventional yoga exercises
• There is no need to stand for long periods of time
• Instructors will often give multiple variations as well
• Chair yoga means a lower risk of falling or injury
• There are various chair yoga videos specifically targeted at seniors, which can be particularly suitable

There are also many benefits to chair yoga, as there are for regular yoga. These include:

• Increased flexibility. All forms of yoga help to improve flexibility and they use a large of motion. That flexibility is critical in countless aspects of a person’s day-to-day life. Yoga practices can include several accessories to help people get the most benefit from the postures.
• Increases strength. Yoga isn’t resistance exercise, but it can still increase body strength. Focusing on strength exercises too can help to bring about rapid results.
• Lowers stress. Yoga is well-known as a stress management tool.
• May reduce depression or anxiety. Some people find that yoga improves symptoms in these areas.
• Can improve sleep. Many people find that yoga helps them to sleep better and to feel more rested

Yoga is also flexible. You can look around for a workout that meets a specific set needs. Alternatively, you might just focus on a few poses that can be done daily. The site Pure Wow has one set of poses to start off with.

You can simply turn to YouTube for a wide range of chair yoga videos, like the one below.

You’ll notice that this one involves some exercises that hold onto the chair. People with balance or joint issues could choose to just focus on the poses that are seated only.

Those who want to challenge themselves more could try the entire thing.

Chair Yoga for Seniors and Caregivers

Chair yoga is especially relevant for seniors because it takes mobility issues into account. This is also why other seated exercises are popular.

But, the approach is relevant to caregivers too.

If nothing else, it’s a low-cost method of exercise. Chair yoga can also be a little easier to learn than regular yoga, especially if you’re not going to classes.

The practice is also something you can do with the person you’re caring for. This is a great way to make sure you both stay active and you can encourage one another.

Many of the individual poses can be used in different contexts too, such as stretching at work.