Chair Yoga: A Gentle Way to Improve Strength, Balance, and Flexibility

By Lauren Maher, LFMT, C-IAYTThe following is an excerpt from the Fall 2026 issue of Healthy Aging Magazine.For some, the word yoga conjures up images of lithe, leotard-clad women performing seemingly impossible, acrobatic poses that require pretzel-like flexibility.Its hard to see images like that and not think of yoga as an inaccessible practice that is far away from what our own bodies are capable of especially as we age.While there are indeed yoga poses that can push the body to its limits, this is not the purpose or even the goal of yoga.As a longtime yoga teacher and yoga therapist, Ive learned that yoga can be easily adapted in myriad ways to meet the specific needs of the individual.One of my favorite ways to make yoga accessible is through chair yoga.What Is Chair Yoga?Chair yoga is a gentle practice that adapts traditional yoga postures to be done seated, or with the support of a chair.

This style of yoga is quite different from practices that you might see in a traditional yoga class.It is inherently low impact, and since you have the support of the chair, there is no need to transition up and down off the floor.This can make it an ideal practice for a variety of concerns and conditions, including arthritis, balance or mobility issues, injury recovery, and chronic illness.Read more about the benefits, sample exercises, how to get started and how to practice safely in the article by Lauren Maher, author of The Chair Yoga Deck (Adams Media).Sign up for the free Healthy Aging newsletter for the latest stories, tips, and inspiration delivered to your inboxand subscribe to Healthy Aging Magazine for even more ways to live better and age smarter.