Modern Health - How effective is chair yoga as a way to exercise?

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Are you tight in the shoulders, neck, hips or hamstrings? If so you may be a victim of too much sitting. Enter chair yoga, the simple yet effective form of yoga.

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My column has focused lately on short, yet intense exercise. However, with increased sitting due to people working from home and device usage on the rise, it’s time to focus on stretching. Chair yoga was developed as an alternative to hatha yoga, however it is so versatile it can be done by people with:

  • Chronic health conditions

  • Wheel chairs

  • A job where they sit more then they stand

  • Long periods of sitting on a long-haul air flight (when that can happen again) or,

  • Who are new to yoga

Benefits of Chair Yoga 

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Chair yoga is gentle and only requires a sturdy chair with a straight back. It’s easy and accessible to grab a chair wherever you are and complete a few simple yoga moves. These moves will reap benefits including flexibility, concentration, reduction in muscle tightness and pain, a mood and stressbuster, and it can alleviate joint strain.

Who Can Do Chair Yoga?

If you have tried regular Hatha yoga or another variety and it is too challenging for you, chair yoga could be the answer. It’s a form of flexibility training that can be done by people looking for something more gentle as well as those with chronic pain such as fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoporosis, or anyone who sits in a chair for long periods of time.

Try These Chair Yoga Moves

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Shoulder rolls
Shoulder lifts
Cat and Cow
Overhead side stretch 
Wrist circles
Forward Fold with or without a cushion
Twist
Knee to Chest
Thigh Stretch
Hamstring Stretch
Heel and Toe Lifts
Ankle circles

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For the column on June 11th:
Calling all women with hot flashes or anxiety from menopause. Don’t miss my interview with Dr. Dina Eino, registered naturopath. 

About Kimberly Hicks-Ruttan

I’m the founder of Fit2Move - virtual fitness in your home, on your own time. I am a certified fitness instructor and personal trainer. Connect with me on Facebook where I run a FREE group called Fit Tips with Kimberly or try out a class on my onpodio website.