Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Chair Yoga Offers Accessible Movement, Flexibility, Balance and Stress Relief
Chair yoga is a gentle way to exercise with help from a chair.
You can do many movements while sitting or standing beside the chair.
It may be useful for older people and people who have trouble moving easily.
It can gently stretch stiff muscles and help with balance.
It may also help people recovering from hip or knee surgery.
Breathing and mindfulness exercises can help reduce stress.
Some beginner movements include seated cat-cow, gentle twists and forward folds.
Chair yoga should complement, rather than replace, strength training and cardio exercise.
Chair yoga uses a chair for support during seated or standing stretches, poses and breathing exercises.
It may help improve flexibility, balance, physical function, muscular control, mobility and pain management.
The practice can benefit older adults, people with limited mobility, people with joint stiffness and desk workers.
Chair yoga may support rehabilitation after hip or knee replacement surgery when floor sitting is discouraged.
Recommended movements include seated cat-cow, spinal twists, forward folds and eagle arms, performed gently.
- Who
- Older adults, people with limited mobility or joint stiffness, desk workers, and people recovering from hip or knee replacement surgery may use chair yoga; Atul Srivastava provides expert guidance.
- What
- Chair yoga is a supported form of yoga involving modified stretches, poses and breathing exercises performed seated or beside a chair.
- When
- The article does not specify a particular time or date; it notes chair yoga can be used when the body needs additional support.
- Where
- Exercises are performed in a chair or standing beside it; Atul Srivastava is identified with Narayana Hospital in Howrah.
- Why
- It may improve flexibility, balance, mobility, physical function, muscular control and pain management while helping reduce stiffness and stress.
- Primary users
- Older adults, people with limited mobility, people with joint stiffness and desk workers
- Main support
- A chair provides stability during seated or standing movements
- Potential benefits
- Flexibility, balance, mobility, physical function, muscular control and pain management
- Rehabilitation use
- May help people recovering from hip or knee replacement surgery who are initially advised against floor sitting
- Suggested movements
- Seated cat-cow, gentle spinal twists, seated forward folds and eagle arms
- Safety guidance
- Move gently within a comfortable range and do not force stretches
- Exercise role
- An accessible addition to, not a replacement for, strength training or cardio