Chair Yoga - Yoga for Every Body
Chair yoga is a modern adaptation to make the ethos and practice of yoga accessible for all people. Chair yoga began to take shape as a specific modality in the 1980s and 1990s. It became increasingly popular in settings such as rehabilitation centers, aged care homes, and hospitals, where individuals often needed a more supportive approach.
One of the key figures in the development of chair yoga was Lakshmi Voelker, who created a full chair yoga program in the 1980s for people with arthritis and limited mobility. Since then, many yoga therapists, healthcare professionals, and teachers have expanded on this work, integrating chair yoga into a wide range of therapeutic and community-based settings. The chair yoga certification that I have completed is through the Lakshmi Voelker community. Join a chair yoga class in Ballina.
While the use of a chair is a more recent development, the roots of chair yoga are firmly grounded in the ancient traditions of yoga, which began over 5,000 years ago in India. Traditional yoga encompasses physical postures (asana), breathwork (pranayama), meditation, and ethical living. From its earliest days, yoga was often adapted to meet individual needs, and the use of props to support practice aligns with the fundamental yoga principle of accessibility.
The idea of modifying yoga poses to suit different abilities gained momentum in the mid-20th century as yoga spread to the West. Teachers began to explore ways to make yoga more inclusive for people with physical limitations, chronic health conditions, or limited mobility. Find out more about chair yoga in Ballina.
Today, chair yoga is widely practiced across the globe. It is especially beneficial for seniors, people recovering from surgery or injury, those living with chronic conditions, and individuals seeking a more accessible way to move and connect with their bodies. Chair yoga is also common in workplace wellness programs, offering desk-based stretches and breathing practices for stress relief and posture support. In addition to its physical benefits, chair yoga supports mental clarity, emotional balance, and nervous system regulation.
At its heart, chair yoga maintains the core intentions of all yoga: mindful movement, conscious breath, self-awareness, and holistic well-being. By removing barriers to participation, chair yoga helps ensure that the transformative benefits of yoga are available to everyone, regardless of age, ability, or physical condition.