We've all heard about importance of activity and exercise to help manage the symptoms of arthritis and other chronic diseases. Activities that put less load on your joints — like yoga — can be particularly beneficial. If you are hesitant to try yoga because of the bending and stretching involved or perhaps because of the fear of falling, chair yoga might be for you...
Chair yoga allows you to move into poses you might otherwise not be able to do. Whether you're doing a modified downward facing dog while sitting down or using the chair to help you balance during a warrior pose, you'll still feel the benefits of yoga and the sense of empowerment even a short practice can bring.
In this video, Julia McNally (The RA Yogi), a certified chair yoga instructor living with rheumatoid arthritis, guides you through a fully seated chair yoga class.