Would you like to understand how to modify any Yoga posture for a chair? Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 (Director of Yoga Teacher Training at Aura Wellness Center) speaks with you about how you can use specific techniques to modify Gate Pose in a Chair or Wheelchair. br br Chair Yoga Makes Poses Possible br br Bringing the health benefits of yoga to clients who cannot stand or may have trouble with balance is easy with a little practice and a simple chair. You will want to practice these poses for several sessions before teaching them so you can fully understand the differences in where your weight is balanced. br br All of the following poses can be done while seated with a little thoughtful modification. Instead of using the legs for balance, you are using the chair. Though we will assume the legs can move and help with bracing, just not be depended on for balance, shift your teaching to only incorporate the upper body for these poses. br br Gate Pose br Cat-Cow Stretch br Pigeon Pose br Eagle Pose br Raised Hands Pose br Sun Salutations br Spinal Twist br Forward Bend - Uttanasana br Extended Side Angle br Warrior I br Warrior II br Reverse Warrior br br Anyone can do these poses in a chair. Think of the benefits to the elderly, wheelchair bound clients, children in a classroom, someone who works at a desk all day long, and rehabilitation clients. Focus on the mechanics of the upper body and intensify the poses by adjusting the angle of the torso, the depth or height of the stretch, and the quality of breathing through the poses. br br Chair yoga can be a great introductory class for clients new to yoga. The simplicity of the poses with the security of the chair may encourage people to try yoga without the fear of difficult poses. This could lead into dedicated traditional yoga for those who, otherwise, may not ever try it. br br Give these poses a try and make notes of other poses you could modify to be demonstrated in a chair. Be sure to advertise this accommodation to a broad audience - you never know who might fall in love with yoga because you offered the security of the chair for balance and support. br br Chair Yoga to Modify Poses br br The purpose of a yoga practice is to promote mindfulness and improve the mind-body connection. It is important for yoga to be accessible to everyone, no matter his or her age, health or path through life. This is why it is vital for yoga instructors and medical professionals of every variety to be aware of chair modifications for some of the most popular yoga poses. It is also beneficial for instructors to be trained in leading a practice that is centered on being seated in a chair. Allowing blossoming yogis and yoginis the option of low-impact, chair-assisted poses broadens the practice and creates a space that allows for each person to experience a practice tailored to their body's needs. br br Another variation on traditional styles of yoga like Hatha, Kundalini, Restorative and Vinyasa is actually centered entirely around the use of a chair, rather than simply keeping it close by as a lower-impact pose option. Chair yoga is best suited for those who are elderly, disabled, wheelchair-bound, pregnant, severely overweight or otherwise significantly limited in their range of motion. In this style of yoga, the chair serves as a replacement for the traditional yoga mat, and energy is drawn through the chair legs into the body. This gentle practice is also great for those who frequently commute or are seated at a desk job, because it allows practitioners to experience the healing integration of mind, body and spirit wherever they happen to be. br br There are several types of chair yoga, and they come with their own unique sets of benefits. Single chair yoga is the most popular, as it offers the simplest path to the asanas of the yogi's choosing. Double chair yoga adds a second chair for additional support of the legs and back, which is a great option for those with extremely limited flexibility. It also greatly reduces joint stress. Pair chair yoga allows for an interactive practice that adds a tactile dimension to the practice. Finally, weighted yoga utilizes small hand weights to help maintain bone and muscle mass. br br Chair yoga in all forms is a wonderful way to boost health and add variety to a practice.