Chair Yoga & Accessibility

I think we can all agree that everything in the world is moving faster and faster. At least, I think we can all agree that our perception is that it’s moving faster and faster. Finding moments of calm and restoration is essential for our well-being. Which is likely why you’re here, on this page, or on our email list, or at The Yoga Channel. And, many of us find balance in our day-to-day lives by spending precious and valuable time on the mat, even though we know, full well, that most of yoga happens off the mat :) 

But what happens when the mat isn’t accessible to us, or to the people that we love and cherish? This shift in accessibility can be caused by many things; dis-ease, injuries, aging, neurological changes. Enter: Chair Yoga. It’s a truly remarkable answer to that question. Chair Yoga embraces the foundational principles of Hatha Yoga while adapting those principals to suit the needs of those who need additional support in their practice. 

Nathan has been teaching Chair Yoga for as long as I have known him. And as I have gone through my studies, I’ve felt a deeper and deeper invitation to share and promote accessibility and inclusivity in yoga. I've come to recognize Chair Yoga as a valuable practice. It opens up the benefits of yoga to a broader range of people who may face physical limitations or challenges that make “traditional” yoga postures difficult or inaccessible.

I suppose my love of chair yoga makes sense, as my love affair with yoga truly came alive when I discovered the use of props via Yin Yoga. As I learned to trust the props, I learned to trust myself more. Afterall, who was placing the props? Likewise, Chair Yoga offers a gentle approach to yoga practice, utilizing a chair for support and stability, the essence of yoga—breath awareness, mindful movement, and the connection between body, mind, and spirit—is preserved. It represents a compassionate and inclusive approach to yoga, enriching the lives of individuals facing physical differences. It embodies the essence of yoga—union, awareness, and self-discovery—while embracing the diversity of human experience and honoring the inherent worth and dignity of every individual.

Thank’s for reading, Amber

PS If you or anyone you know would like to check out one of Nathan’s Chair Yoga Classes, you can click the button below. One of his recordings will open in YouTube!