By Mary Higgs, Guest Contributor
There are many barriers that keep people from trying yoga. Some relate to health, physical challenges, and body image challenges. Some stem from preconceived ideas of what is a yogi. In my case, I thought I couldn’t do yoga because I had a spine injury caused by a car accident when I was 19 years old. Everything changed 32 years later. Once I tried adaptive yoga and began customizing poses for my body, I found home. Developing a passion for adaptive yoga and becoming a certified Adaptive and Accessible Yoga Teacher transformed my life in unexpected ways.
As a disabled Adaptive Yoga Teacher, one of my favorite classes to teach is Adaptive Chair Yoga. Steeped in the traditions of yoga, Adaptive Chair Yoga is a fun, creative, accessible, mindful practice that adapts yoga poses for all bodies and needs. Adaptive Chair Yoga not only breaks down barriers to yoga by making it more accessible, but it also focuses on the mind-body connection of yoga by teaching students to trust and listen to their bodies.
Here are my top 5 reasons Adaptive Chair Yoga is for everyone.
1. Accessible For All
Adaptive Chair Yoga is accessible. There are no preconditions for learning Adaptive Chair Yoga. You don’t have to be flexible or physically able to try Adaptive Chair Yoga. This practice is open to anyone regardless of ability, size, or background. As a certified Accessible Yoga Teacher, I strive to change perceptions of yoga. I want to make yoga practices and its teachings inclusive and accessible for all.
2. Breaks Down Yoga Barriers
Adaptive Chair Yoga breaks down barriers to yoga. Everyone has a right to practice yoga; therefore, I encourage agency in my Adaptive/Accessible Yoga classes. I encourage students to customize poses and opt out of anything that doesn’t feel good in their body. Seeing themselves as an expert reminds yogis they are their own best yoga teacher. Teaching students to tap into their own guide and trust their instincts breaks down barriers to yoga.
3. Focuses on Mind-Body Connection
Adaptive Chair Yoga is a creative way to adapt yoga poses for the body. Grounded in the traditions and teachings of yoga, Adaptive Chair Yoga focuses on mind and body sensation over physical asana. In my view, yoga is not about the poses; it’s more about paying attention to the body and bringing awareness in the moment. Adaptive Chair Yoga it’s not an easier form of yoga; it’s a mindful approach that can bring balance and wisdom to our lives.
4. Teaches Inner Awareness
Adaptive Chair Yoga is a personal, body positive, noncompetitive experience. It teaches self love and acceptance by empowering students to listen within. Inner awareness is more than mindful practice; it involves the entire body. We observe the breath to feel grounding and expansion and embrace ourselves in the present moment. Learning this skill can bring ease into your life. It can also relieve tension/stress, help with pain management, and improve overall health and wellness.
5. Meets You Where You Are
Adaptive Chair Yoga celebrates uniqueness. Everyone’s practice is catered to their body. You don’t need to understand Sanskrit or purchase fancy attire to try Adaptive Chair Yoga. All we need is a chair and a willingness to still the mind and connect breath with movement. Our first lesson: start where you are, listen to your body, and trust the mind-body experience.
Adaptive Chair Yoga is open to anyone regardless of ability or background. It’s available anytime we need it. All we have to do is pull up a chair, find inner awareness, connect movement with breath, and give the body what it needs. If you are curious to give it a try, I invite you to follow along as I guide you through a short practice I call Chair Centering. You can also check out Mind Body Solutions and Accessible Yoga Association on Facebook and Instagram for more videos and examples of Adaptive Chair Yoga.
