Yoga for Wheelchair Users: 10 Benefits of Wheelchair Yoga
10 Reasons Why You Should Try Chair-based Yoga!
If you are in a wheelchair, you may assume that reaping the benefits of yoga is out of your reach… Chair yoga to the rescue!
Chair yoga is a modified form of traditional yoga where we use a chair to support our practice. This is the most accessible style of yoga. It is available to pretty much everyone regardless of age, weight, mobility, and injuries.
Wheelchair users can practice many chair yoga postures directly in their wheelchairs.
Chair yoga is an excellent way to improve and maintain physical and mental well-being, even with a very limited range of motion.
Continue reading to learn 10 benefits of wheelchair yoga and steps to start a chair yoga practice.
1. Chair yoga can improve flexibility
Wheelchair yoga can help to improve flexibility. You’d be surprised how many seated postures are available to wheelchair users. These poses help to stretch the muscles and increase the range of motion through the shoulders, hips, and spine.
2. Chair yoga increases strength for those in a wheelchair
Wheelchair users often lose strength in their upper body due to a lack of weight-bearing activities. Wheelchair yoga can help to counter this by gently increasing strength in the arm, shoulders, and back.
Seated asana can also help to tone the core, improving stability and balance for wheelchair users.
3. Wheelchair yoga can help with posture & reduce pain
We all know how bad sitting down all day can be for our posture and so for wheelchair users, this can be a primary concern. Poor posture leads to pain and discomfort and so the practice of chair yoga can really counter these negative effects of being in a wheelchair.
Chair yoga poses to improve posture by strengthening the muscles around the spine and by opening the chest and shoulders. This can also help wheelchair users to breathe more effectively.
4. Chair yoga reduces stress and anxiety
It is well known that yoga can significantly improve our mental health. And it’s no different for chair yoga. Chair yoga can help to reduce stress and anxiety and can help wheelchair users to unwind after going about their day.
Pranayama and meditation techniques taught during a chair yoga class help wheelchair users relax and connect more deeply to their inner selves.
5. Wheelchair yoga improves circulation
Being sedentary in a chair for extended periods can cause poor circulation, something that many wheelchair users suffer from. Chair yoga can help to improve circulation through gentle movements and stretching of the muscles.
It can also help to stimulate the lymphatic system and flush toxins from the body.
6. Chair yoga boosts energy levels
Sitting down for extended periods and having limited movement can stifle energy levels. Chair yoga is a safe and effective way for wheelchair users to get moving and improve the flow of blood and oxygen through the body.
The pranayama and meditation techniques taught in chair yoga promote relaxation, improve sleep and reduce fatigue, leading to a further boost in energy.
7. Chair yoga improves sleep
Wheelchair users may have trouble sleeping due to pain and discomfort. Chair yoga’s ability to reduce stress and promote relaxation through movement, breath work, and meditation, can support wheelchair users slipping into a better sleep after practicing.
8. Chair yoga can help to enhance mood
Yoga (and chair yoga) is an effective way to improve mood. The mental health benefits of yoga from a reduction of stress, increased energy, and better sleep all lead to an overall better mood and enjoyment of life.
9. Wheelchair yoga helps to increase body awareness
Chair yoga can help wheelchair users be more aware of their body and where it is in space. This can foster a greater body-mind connection which can become fractured for those of us who are in a wheelchair.
Body awareness also helps to improve balance and reduce the risk of falls or other injuries.
10. Chair yoga can give wheelchair users a sense of community
Chair yoga allows wheelchair users to connect with others in a similar situation which fosters a sense of community and connection. This may just be the biggest benefit of them all!
How to do chair yoga
Wheelchair yoga is specifically designed for people in chair yoga poses. It takes poses from chair yoga that are all adapted to be done only from a seated position.
What do you need to practice chair yoga in a wheelchair?
All you need is your wheelchair and comfortable clothes.
Where to find chair yoga classes
Chair yoga classes are available at many health clubs, community centers, and yoga studios. You can also find chair yoga classes online.
If you are interested in practicing wheelchair yoga, there are many different resources to learn. Find chair yoga classes online, on YouTube, or find information in books or blogs like this one.
If you are new to chair yoga, it is best to start under the guidance of a teacher to ensure you are doing the poses correctly. Once you have learned the basic poses you can start to practice yourself at home.
Online chair yoga classes on with me
I offer weekly live chair yoga classes online. Classes can be adapted and modified for wheelchair users! Take a look at Flourish’s class calendar to book your chair yoga class.
If you want to commit to a regular chair yoga practice, you can buy a 10-class pass for just $50 – that’s only $5 per class!! Buy HERE.
