No such thing as chair yoga

There's no such thing as Chair Yoga, but sit down

If YOGA itself comes with a set of biases preventing most of the population from practicing, CHAIR YOGA is accompanied by the double set of ageist and ableist stigmas preventing many who may benefit from attending. It’s not hard enough, it’s for people who can’t do “real” Yoga, it lacks value, it is too easy, it’s not effective, it’s a waste of time. In a culture that values productivity, sweat, cardio, exercise and the external, what’s the point? To do is to know, but we’ll still make a case.

We're adding a Chair-supported Yoga course here at Yoga Foundation on Saturday mornings; yet, Chair Yoga's actually a misnomer. Chairs don't do Yoga. People do! Little known fact is that the root definition of the movement practices of Yoga, ās, means a chair, a seat, a comfortable place to be. Whereas stereotypical perspectives on Yoga idealize movement and action, fancy positions and physical prowess, the goal is to become as comfortable as a chair. Stable. At ease. Supported. Comfortable.

Working within your means, respecting your starting point, whether you are older or younger, , stiffer or weaker, fitter or flexible, stronger or fragile renders successful practice. The same āsana practice that brings me there may take you further away. And the one that brings you there, may lead me astray from my most regulated self.

Your chair may be your chariot. All āsana have two forms, prakṛti, classical, and vikṛti, modified. Today, a largely sedentary culture, starting Yoga later, with constitution-inappropriate diets, abundant in chemicalized, processed foods, out of balance lifestyles and lack of knowledge about the ancient ways, none of us is practicing classically. All of us are doing modified versions of classical, even the youngest, fittest, healthiest. So let’s take the pressure to do super “Yoga” completely off the table. Finding appropriate Yoga you can do comfortably is like sitting on a Yoga throne, empowered, strong, present and self-sovereign.

Why a chair? Any impediments to the classical āsana practice do not disqualify you. You become qualified for modifications. These modifications look different, some may even say easy, or basic. None of that matters: what matters is that we fulfill the six main properties of the core classical categories, and experience their associated benefits.

We help the spinal axis to be upright. We bend it, forward and backward and sideways. We twist it, and we invert it, all within our means. Each of these carries innumerable benefits, and if you are hindered from standing stably or getting up and down off of the ground, we have chairs and walls to help you sit and stand without being tugged on by your mobility and stability fears. Instead, you begin to let go, as you do when you sit down. You feel the power in improved breathing quality. Feel the subtle movements as the spine awakens. Allow your mind to channel itself in a direction that yields lightness, wellness and empowerment.

If you answer 'yes' to any of these, this class is great for you.

• Do you suffer from weakness?

• Are you experiencing back pain?

• Are you unstable?

• Are you experiencing low energy?

• Do you have debilitating joint pain?

• Are you disabled?

• Do you fear physical activity will harm you?

• Are you elder and just starting or restarting Yoga?

• Are you afraid of falling?

• Do you have trouble getting down onto and up off of the ground?

• Do you walk with a cane?