Chair Yoga is Every'body' Yoga
Benefits of Yoga with a Chair (or a Mat)
Cardiovascular Health
A study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found yoga to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and resting heart rate—reducing overall risk of heart disease.
Bone Density
This study published in Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation indicates that a daily 12-minute yoga routine can reverse bone loss in individuals with osteoporosis.
Stress Reduction
Yoga has been shown to reduce cortisol levels by up to 27%, promoting a calmer nervous system and improved mood (Harvard Health Publishing).
Sleep & Wellness
This randomized controlled study from the National Institute for Health found that yoga improved sleep quality and overall quality of life in elderly participants.
How is Chair Yoga different from yoga on the floor?
Chair yoga is a gentle yet deeply enriching practice that brings the benefits of yoga to a seated or supported position which is not on a traditional yoga mat. This makes it ideal for older bodies, those recovering from an injury or surgery, or those in a wheelchair.
Rooted in the time-honored principles of yoga, this approach nurtures the body, regardless of its current condition, in synchronicity with the mind and spirit. Through guided breathwork, mindful movement, and intentional stillness, participants experience improved flexibility, balance, and strength, while also cultivating inner calm, mental clarity, and emotional resilience.
Chair yoga is a proven safe and effective way to prevent chronic disease and support healthy aging. Extensive research continues to support the powerful impact of yoga on long-term health, particularly for older adults. Studies have shown that regular yoga practice can significantly reduce stress hormones, improve cardiovascular strength and support bone density—all essential components of restoring health and aging well.
In a serene and supportive environment, chair yoga becomes more than just exercise—it becomes a pathway to vitality, self-awareness, and a holistic sense of well-being.
Okay, Tell Me More…
Continuously emerging studies provide evidence of yoga’s multifaceted benefits, particularly for older adults seeking to enhance their health and well-being. This is a brief orientation video that will address safety concerns with a sneak peek of a sample practice.
Please consult with your doctor or healthcare provider if you are uncertain about this type of movement practice for your body. Sharing this video is a great way for them to understand the practice and research of chair yoga. And always feel free to reach out to me with any questions!
Of course, hearing from other chair yoga students in the comments below may help you further understand chair yoga with me.
Alison is a deeply knowledgable and spiritual person. She is considerate of my body’s needs each week in our practice together and knows how to adapt easily to the chair. I used to do yoga at the 92nd Y before COVID and enjoy her classes much more.
Wow. I can’t say enough about Alison’s skills as a chair yoga teacher. More people need to know about her. I always feel challenged and better in my body after our class. I wish I could see her everyday.
Alison has helped me feel stronger and better about myself after each class. I see things differently in my life after working with her for nearly 2 years now. She knows how to adjust her teaching for my MS condition and I always feel uplifted after our weekly class. I highly recommend her.
My mission is for the world – beginning with YOU:
Less stress, more ease, and greater self awareness, returning us to the natural harmony of body, mind and spirit. Yoga teaches us this as a lifestyle practice with many rewards, rather than a single destination.
About Alison
I have been practicing yoga since 2004, leading to my advanced study as a yoga therapist. What started out as an athletic interest in my 30’s, taking classes at the local 24 Hour Fitness, put me on a path to deepen my view of the world around me using the psychological and spiritual logic of the yoga sutras.
At first, it was fun and challenging exploring the strength and flexibility of my body while testing my ability to focus during a practice. It seemed predominantly physical and benign in spirit. However, experiencing the depth of losing a loved one presented a far more integrative opportunity in my yoga practice to tap into the spiritual foundation that I had within me. Additional ‘life’ situations working as a corporate executive over the next decade presented more and more opportunities to interact with circumstances using a more balanced set of yoga tools.
Today I share my tools here online and with a variety of clients, including chair yoga, corporate yoga and lifestyle yoga therapy with people ranging in age from 19 to 91.