Chair Yoga for Seniors: Stretches and Poses that You Can Do Sitting Down at Home

by Lynn Lehmkuhl

One of the biggest concerns among aging men and women is the fear of falling. Chair yoga, or “yoga while seated,” allows anyone to experience all of the benefits of an exercise program without being afraid. In Chair Yoga for Seniors, registered yoga practitioner and instructor Lynn Lehmkuhl offers readers easy-to-follow yoga positions and stretches that can be done at home, while sitting down. Chair Yoga for Seniors outlines the physical and mental benefits that come with practicing yoga daily, and provides instructions for numerous different exercises,   Full body warm upsJoint rollsBeginner routinesIntermediate routinesExpert routinesFull body cool downsThe routines found in Chair Yoga for Seniors can help readers make daily exercise a reality and provide invaluable benefits such as increased energy and a boost in confidence.

Genres: Nonfiction, Ebooks

292 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 7, 2020

Reviews

[Kat Starwolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise. Informative. Easy.

While I do, technically, now qualify as a ‘senior,’ I’m not so senior that I should have to do exercises sitting down. But because of a major vehicle accident in which I was involved 20 years ago, the injuries have made it extremely difficult to exercise in the conventional manner. So while I used to be an avid walker and hiker, I’m lucky if I get enough exercise hobbling around the house.

Enter Chair Yoga for Seniors.

As a physical entity, this is an approximately 151 page large print book, great for those seniors with vision issues, printed on close to card stock-quality glossy paper. There are 14 chapters, and half of that space is devoted to specific beginner, intermediate and osteoarthritis routines. While there is some repetition between the routines, this is mainly due to the basic warm-up routines which are reprinted in each of the sections so that it isn’t necessary to flip back to another section of the book.

The format of the book was pleasing for me, since I’m such a stickler for organization. All the information is concise, easy to locate, and quite informative.

However, whereas Ms. Lehmkuhl initially recommends the purchase/use of a music stand on which to place the book, I would like to further suggest one that has arms on each side to hold the pages open, otherwise it can be frustrating to have to bend the book spine open in order to make the book remain flat. Or you can purchase a large book stand with page holder clips. Either way, it makes it much easier to view/read the book as you’re doing the exercises.

Ultimately, this is one of the best chair yoga books with which I’ve worked.

Thank you for your wonderful contribution, Ms. Lehmkuhl.

[Anna Richey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical, with lots of color photos to illustrate each pose. The author offers 20- and 30-minute sequences for different experience/ability levels (beginner, intermediate, and advanced). Recommended for any age level that prefers chair-based yoga due to physical or environmental constraints.

[Denise Westlake · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's just a real quick picture book with lifestyle practical advice.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not just for seniors. These exercises and poses will help anyone regain strength lost to non-use, injury or debilitating. Each program builds on the previous either with additional exercises or additional repetitions. Photographs provide help with understanding direction. These poses are great for travelers or at a time when you are sitting watching TV, etc. This book was helpful for me as I begin leading Tai Ji Quan classes again. Always nice to have something new to teach in warm-up.

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chiar yoga intrigued me -not that I need a chair to exercise but I saw several reviews on how it can help keep you fit. I find it helpful when I am not near a YouTube Chair yoga session. It clearly defines various yoga stretches and poses

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really helpful for planning my chair exercise class for seniors!

[Sonia Ramchandani · Rating 5 out of 5]

My seniors felt happier after and it was something many of them could do in their wheelchairs. They loved the pictures illustrating the moves. They had too much fun with this.

[Gerri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great exercises for senior citizens- low score because the exercises were a little too easy for me. I need ones that are a little more challenging!

[Juanita Rankin]

A lot of repetition in this book.
I would have liked more poses and less stretches.

[Sandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to follow directions. Very helpful. Get a comfortable chair!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good diagrams and photos. Extra large text to read.

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My interest in chair yoga was based on various discussions on how it kept a person flexible. I first found a DVD which I watched but was fast paced. I decided to see if a book would be easier to follow. This book had very easy to follow step by step instructions with illustrations. I can do the exercise at my own pace. I am thinking of sharing this with family/friends. I do not need to sit to do exercise but it was the stretches and poses that I found helpful whether sitting or standing.