Do you know that physical inactivity can lead to serious health implications for your person? Approximately two million deaths per year are directly caused by physical inactivity, with a sedentary lifestyle being among the top ten greatest causes of death and disabilities in the entire world. It may be more difficult for us to remain physically active as we age, but a lack of physical activity can double the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as diabetes and obesity while increasing the risks of colon cancer, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and depression. Since not all of us may be physically capable of intensive exercise, why not consider a less strenuous but equally effective workout through the form of chair yoga? Learn how you and your elderly loved ones can practice chair yoga & reap its benefits!
What Is Chair Yoga?
Chair yoga is a form of exercise that has been modified so people of all ages and physical abilities can practice it. Instead of lying on the mat, participants perform the yoga poses while seated on a chair or while standing up and using the chair as a support. As the exercise can be carried out in a seated position, chair yoga is popular among those with physical disabilities or mobility limitations, and beginners who want to focus on a gentler workout.
Chair yoga can increase your strength and flexibility by helping to center your core and improve your balance. It also uses breathing and meditation techniques to improve your focus, calm your nerves, and promote relaxation. Read on to learn about the main benefits of chair yoga.
Improved Strength and Flexibility
Chair yoga uses your muscles to perform different poses, which helps to build muscle tissue and increase muscle strength. Gaining muscle strength can result in better equilibrium, thereby lessening your risk of falls. It can also improve your body’s capacity to withstand injuries. In the long run, chair yoga will allow you to move more easily, giving you the confidence and ability to participate in different activities. Chair yoga proves that regardless of an individual’s physical limitations, being physically active is a choice and we can all take the necessary steps to improve our health!
Reduced Stress and Better Sleep
Chair yoga incorporates mindfulness into its workout routine. By focusing on your movement, breathing, and physiological response to the poses, chair yoga can lull you into a meditative state that improves your mental clarity and reduces stress.
Like other exercises, chair yoga improves your mood while offering relief from the stressors of anxiety or depression. Hence, practicing chair yoga can improve both your physical and mental health. Other than getting you more in tune with your body, it also helps your body to regulate your sleep cycle and improve your overall quality of sleep.
Get Started with Chair Yoga
If you would like to practice chair yoga, remember to check with your primary care physician to ensure that introducing this activity into your daily routine would not cause harm to your physical health. To get started, you can watch video tutorials online to perform chair yoga in the comfort of your own home or consider joining chair yoga classes for seniors.