One form that may be lesser known but is gaining ground is chair yoga.
Simply put, its a version of yoga where participants are seated in chairs.
Its been deployed in schools, in senior living communities, and amongst those with disabilities.
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So it doesn’t need to be a whole full blown chair yoga class," she says.
“Under-resourced communities is where this practice makes the biggest difference,” she says.
For her, it was a medical necessity.I first practiced with a chair after hip surgery.
The chair is an often under-utilized prop that may be used whenever and for whomever.
Chair Yoga and Mindfulness
Yoga andmindfulnessare often mentioned in the same breath.
Integrating these simple, mindful movement practices on the chair can really have huge benefits.
It calms the mind.
Suggested Movements
Simple chair yoga movements can involve a variety of positions.
The entire routine, including breaks, lasted 1 hour and 35 minutes.
The postures were based on hatha yoga.
In this study, it is worth noting that depression and agitation actually increased in the chair yoga group.
More research is needed to examine some of these possible effects.
Like any wellness practice, yoga does require educators and participants to consider their limits and their comfort levels.
Its your body and your choice.
Nankin says that practices like chair yoga are valuable when they allow participants to be both reactive and proactive.
Still Nankin says, the foundation of the practice has to be rooted in your safety.
Thats just not necessarily true.
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