Chair Yoga ChairYogaisforeveryone.Nomatterwhatageyouareorwhatconditionyouareinyoucanexperiencethehealthbenefitsof yoga.Didyou know youcanperformmostyogapostures,breathingtechniques,meditation,andrelaxationtechniquesfromachair?Evenifyouarethelaziestpersonin theworldyoullloveChairYoga.Seriouslythisformofyogaisveryeasytodonomatterwhatconditionyouarein. Desk Job Tension Reliever Ifyouworkatadeskalldaythisformofyogacanbeagreatpick-me-upandtensionreliever.Iknowfromexperiencethatwhenyougetcaughtupin anassignment,especiallywhenworkingatacomputer(andwhodoesntthesedays?);yourbodyjustlocksintoonepositionand musclesgettense. Youresoinvolvedinwhatyouaredoingthatyoudontfeeltheresultsuntiltheendoftheday.

Justtakingafewminutesout ofyourworkdayto performjustoneortwoChairYogapostures,toreducethelikelyhoodoftenseshouldersandbackoreventensionheadaches,willmakeadifference. Theseyogastretcheswillrejuvenateyou. Injury Recovery and Disabilities Recoveringfromaninjurymaylimityourmobility,butdoingChairYogawillmaintain,stretch,andstrengthenyourbodyasyourecover.Ifyou haveadisabilityitwillhelpyoumanagethedisabilityandkeepyourbodyinthebestconditionpossible.Itwillgiveyoupeaceofmindandself-esteem toknowyouaredoingsomethinggoodforyourbody,mind,andspirit.Soherewego,asimplestraightbackchair(kitchenchairsarewellsuitedor evenafoldingchairwilldo).Thechairisnotonlyusedfortheseatedposturesbutasasupportformanyofthestandingposturesaswell. LetsBegin Asawarmupbeginwithafewsimpleshoulderrollsandthenshakeoutyourarmsandhands.HerearesixChairYogaposturestogetyoustarted. An important point to remember istoneverpushyourbodytothepointthatcausespain.Youwillstillgetthebenefitoftheposturesevenifyouarenotveryflexible.Thebestpartis,if youdoyogaonaregularbasisyourflexibilityandstrengthwillincrease. Alsobe sure to check with your doctor before beginning any exercise practice, especially if you have any special health concerns.

Forward Bend

 eases tension in upper back and neck.Breat

he in and as you bend forward breathe out

and let yourhead and arms hang over your

knees. Relax into the positionan d hold for

a few seconds while breathing normally.

Breathein as you slowly come back up to

seated position.2. Spinal Twist

 increases circulation and flexibility in the

spine.Sit facing forward with feet slightly

apart, breathe in, andraise your arms out to the

sides. Breathe out and bend to theleft,

reaching toward the floor with your left hand and

yourright hand pointing toward the ceiling.

Breathe in come back to starting position.

Repeat with your right side.3.

Side Stretch increases flexibility of the

spinal column, improves respiration, andreduces

waistline.S it facing forward with feet slightly

apart, breathe in, andraise your arms out to the

sides. Breathe out and bend to theleft,

reaching toward the floor with your left hand and

yourright hand pointing toward the ceiling.

Breathe in come back to starting position.

Repeat with your right side.4.

Knee Squeeze relaxes lower back,

improves digestion and respiration. Sit and

hold each side of the chair for balance. Breathe

outand breathe in as you lift your straightene

d left leg and flexyour foot. Hold for a few

seconds and then slowly breathe outwhile

lowering your leg. Repeat the same for

your right leg.