2 Chair Yoga Asanas for Senior Citizens

Yoga is for everybody, even the elderly people who cannot stand for long hours. The best part is that there are some yoga asanas that can be done while you’re comfortably sitting in a chair.

Highlights

• While yoga is still a great option for older people, they may not be able to do all the asanas.

• If they’re unable to stand for long hours, they should consider asanas that can be done sitting in a chair

• Seated parivrtta sukhasana stretches the hips, knees and ankles.

• Seated reverse arm hold reverse arm hold improves posture and a balance.

Do you have joint pain that make it impossible for you to stand? Or, in your senior years, are you suffering from poor balance? When regular exercise becomes a difficulty, chair yoga is the way out. Yoga is for everybody, even the elderly people who cannot stand for long hours.

Mentioned below are some seated yoga asanas that you can start practising to improve your posture and lubricate the joints.

Seated parivrtta sukhasana stretches the hips, knees and ankles. It also helps reduce stress and anxiety that senior citizens are vulnerable to.

How to do the asana

• Sit straight on a chair.

• Inhale and elongate your spine.

• Lift your arms to your shoulder length.

• Exhale and twist your upper body to the right.

• Rest your left hand on your side.

• If necessary, use the top of the chair by holding it with your right hand to hold the pose.

• Look over your right shoulder.

• Hold the pose for 5-6 breaths.

• Release and face front.

• Repeat for the other side.

Seated reverse arm hold improves posture and balance. Improved posture also means less strain on the back muscles which ultimately helps with back pain.

How to do the asana

• Sit straight on a chair.

• Inhale and stretch your hands to your sides.

• Exhale and bend your elbows while letting your elbows swing backwards.

• Clasp your hands and gently pull them away from each other

• Take 5-6 breaths and unclasp.

• After 5 deep breaths, repeat.

For more advice about more Yoga, consult a Jiva doctor today. Dial 0129-4040404 or click on ‘Speak to a Doctor’ under the CONNECT tab in Jiva Health App.