As we’ve shared in previous articles, we can practice yoga at almost every stage of life, from childhood to our senior years. However, traditional yoga can feel a little challenging for some, especially seniors and those with limited mobility or injuries. Luckily, there’s a style of yoga that offers a more accessible option for those who need it: chair yoga.
What is chair yoga, and how is it different from traditional yoga?
Most of us are familiar with the basic concepts of yoga: gentle movements and poses combined with breathing exercises. These poses, traditionally known as asanas, sometimes involve bending and stretching while standing, while others are performed on the floor. In more advanced classes, yoga can even include upside-down postures, such as inversions and arm balances, or backbends.
Recognizing that traditional yoga could be difficult for some people, yoga instructor Lakshmi Voelker developed chair yoga in 1982 after one of her students with arthritis struggled to get down on the floor. Since many yoga poses can be adapted for a chair, Voelker created a complete style that allows people with limited mobility to practice yoga, stay active, and build strength and flexibility.
Today, chair yoga is a popular option for seniors and people with injuries, disabilities, or chronic pain, as well as those living with conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis.
Benefits of chair yoga
Since chair yoga poses come from traditional yoga asanas, this practice offers many of the same benefits, from building strength to improving flexibility. Using a chair adds another advantage, making it easier for people with mobility or balance concerns to participate in physical activity with greater confidence.
In our class at Prana Yoga Studio, students practice poses either while seated on a chair or while holding it for support during standing asanas, helping them perform each movement confidently and without worrying about falling or injuring themselves.
Over time, students who practice chair yoga may begin to notice that their bodies feel more relaxed as tension in their muscles and joints eases. In some cases, they may even experience relief from physical pain and discomfort.
“Before attending class, I struggled with joint and back pain, but within the first week, I began to notice improvement. The discomfort disappeared, and my overall quality of life improved. Yoga has helped me regain mobility and approach life with a greater sense of peace.” – Martha, Restorative, Chair, and Gentle Yoga student
Beyond this, we can’t overlook what research has to say about chair yoga. According to a 2025 study from Wichita State University, chair yoga helped improve balance, gait, and quality of life in adults aged 77 to 92. Meanwhile, another study from 2023 showed that a 12-week chair yoga program significantly reduced pain and improved daily functioning in senior women with osteoarthritis.
Practice chair yoga in a supportive environment
At Prana Yoga Studio, all you need to start your chair yoga journey is to show up. We provide a gentle, welcoming space with all the essential props and support you might need, so you can focus on your practice and feel comfortable moving at your own pace.
Come visit us and discover how chair yoga can help you feel more confident in your movements and support your mobility, with guidance from our experienced teachers!
Ready to experience yoga and feel better? Join us at Prana Yoga Studio in Imperial Valley!
Sources:
Smith J, Buessing A, Pierce C, Hybarger P, Antonowich T, Akins W, Smith B. Physical and Mental Benefits of Chair Yoga for Older Adults: A Case Series. Int J Exerc Sci. 2025 Nov 1;18(5):1166-1174. doi: 10.70252/COQS7170. PMID: 41210924; PMCID: PMC12591597.
Yao CT, Lee BO, Hong H, Su YC. Effect of Chair Yoga Therapy on Functional Fitness and Daily Life Activities among Older Female Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis in Taiwan: A Quasi-Experimental Study. Healthcare (Basel). 2023 Apr 3;11(7):1024. doi: 10.3390/healthcare11071024. PMID: 37046951; PMCID: PMC10094373.