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In comparison to many forms of exercise, the benefits of Chair Yoga far outweigh the risks.

The therapeutic exercises to work the body via chair yoga to the best of any client's ability. The method used is a exercise for the whole body in a single routine. This is a good result for a low impact exercise program, the average session lasts 45 to 60 minutes. The following will highlight some of the benefits of regular participation in a chair yoga class.

Increased circulation is a result of movement and every body part that can move is used in a typical chair yoga class. For many of us, we think of cardiovascular heath first, and this is correct, but chair yoga helps the body in certain ways, as well.

To sit around without real effective movement of the body, we invite problems of many kinds. For instance diabetics need movement to keep sugar levels within tolerance zones. Chair Yoga has routines for the feet, toes, hands, and fingers, so there is no part of the body left out. Due to this complete body approach, the immune system is also stimulated by regularly attending chair yoga classes.

Movements, bending, and twisting, in a chair yoga session, stimulate to detox the body. Every time you bend the waist in one direction or another, the stomach aids in digestion and the lower back is also stimulated

Aerobic exercise are also exercise that would increase circulatory and respiratory ability. When the heart and lungs have to work harder to keep up with the body's need for oxygen that is aerobic.

In fact, gardening and housework are also aerobic exercise that most seniors routinely do. This is not to say that gardening and housework are complete health maintenance systems, but they do burn over 200 calories per hour, for the average person, and meet the aerobic definition.

Much of this mentality stems from the No pain No gain era. Most of the original advocates of this theory are now nursing their own wounds and practicing gentler forms of exercise.

We have all heard the saying, Rome wasn't built in a day.

Those words are extremely profound, when thinking about correcting poor posture and alignment. It takes years to create poor alignment.

Therefore, poor posture cannot be corrected in a single day by chair yoga or other types of yoga. A more appropriate saying, when thinking about posture and alignment might be, the leaning tower of Pisa cannot become straight in a week.

However, improvements to posture can be made through chair yoga exercises and through daily posture awareness. In my classes, I refer to posture awareness as homework. It usually draws a chuckle from students, but they also know that class time is the time to learn and practice chair yoga together.

Time away from the yoga class is when you put the principles you have learned, in motion, and adapt them into your lifestyle. I cannot promise Chair Yoga is a cure all, but you will see improvements in every aspect of your life. However, practicing your homework separates the fantastic success stories from those who see some modest improvement.

So, what is posture awareness? This is taking the time to be aware of your posture, on a daily basis. The first thing you want to do in order to open your awareness is look at your side profile in a mirror and any photographs of yourself. At this point, look at your spine from top to bottom.

Do you see slumping, forward tilting of the neck, or extra large curves? Your spine should be aligned so that it is fairly straight at all times. During a number of daily activities such as: Standing, walking, reading, eating, sitting, lying, typing, and more, you should make a conscious effort, to keep your head and back straight.

Now, we can all remember a schoolteacher who preached, keep your back straight, but now we know that he or she was absolutely correct. Take the time to adjust your spinal alignment, from this moment on, and every time you can remember to do so.

If possible, you should also attend any workshops about chiropractic and orthopedic medicine. Educate yourself about your body, your spine, and your choices. You can usually find these workshops and many more valuable meetings at your local senior center. These workshops are usually free, you are under no obligation, and it makes for a good Fact finding mission. The alignment and posture principles, you learn in a chair yoga class, can be as simple as, Pain or no pain.

Most chair yoga enthusiasts are seniors and they know, the true value of flexibility is mobility. When you consider that mobility for seniors can be the difference between dependence and independence, flexibility is now of extreme value.

The following is an observation I have made after working with groups from assisted living complexes, adult day care centers, nursing homes, and seniors centers. The average mobile senior citizen is much more flexible in the hips, spine, wrists, and shoulders, than his or her dependent counterpart.

Just crossing the legs can be difficult for the clients I work with in a nursing home. Students in chair yoga classes learn a variety of exercises that will free up many of the major joints. Many students also remark how pain, from a variety of ailments, is much more manageable after practicing chair yoga.

Increased range of motion makes a positive difference. It also helps to prevent injuries that can occur from strain or a possible fall. If a senior falls, there is certainly the potential that the results could be life threatening.

Chair yoga offers a significant number of balancing exercises. Although balance can be affected by medication, inner ear problems, and more, many seniors show much improvement in balancing their bodies within weeks of their first chair yoga class. Therefore, flexibility and balance are a significant part of an injury prevention package that can improve, or enhance, the quality of life for seniors. This fact has been realized by seniors who flock to chair yoga classes on a daily or weekly basis.

Most of us realize that physical conditioning is not the only factor involved in dependence. There are a number of disabling diseases that can affect any one of us and have nothing to do with lack of flexibility. Lack of flexibility is not the single overriding factor involved in independence for seniors.

However, it is a fact that less mobile and frail, seniors will become confined. Hence, most seniors should make an effort to stay flexible, for what is ultimately their own dignity at stake by chair yoga. You could look at your physical condition as an insurance policy for independent living. After all, who really wants to impose on their children or relatives for the sake of existence?

Chair yoga can easily work in harmony with most physical rehabilitation prescriptions. Many physical therapists have knowledge of yoga or are teachers of yoga. Many doctors, physical therapists, and medical professionals recommend yoga to patients who are making a come back.

Yoga gives these patients the strength to move ahead, when many would be discouraged. The comebacks that I have personally witnessed are inspiring to me as a yoga teacher. Over time, I have seen come backs from strokes, heart attacks, and car accidents.

It touches me that they thanked me for teaching them yoga or chair yoga. The courage to go on came from within their minds, but yoga became a significant part of their lives. As a yoga teacher the inspiration was mutual and made me feel helpful. After all, being of help, and being appreciated, are prime motivations for teachers of any subject.

Muscle tone is a result of stretching and flexing any muscle group. Active muscles display themselves on anybody that chooses to use them. This is also a good way to relieve oneself of anxiety, stress, tension, and prevent depression. Like the other benefits, previously mentioned, this results in whole body health. A healthy body does, indeed, compliment a healthy mind.

For those clients who are confined to a chair, it is wise to include some form of a weight bearing, or weight resistance, exercise program. For those who can stand, chair yoga is another weight bearing exercise that will stimulate bone building.

With progressive weight resistance, you use free weights or machines, but with yoga you bear your own body weight. The end result of these exercise programs would be increased bone density and prevention of Osteoporosis.

Seniors spend more time alone than any other age group. Sometimes, we all need a little solitude, but too much solitude can lead to depression, in some of us. Living life like a monk is not for everyone.