Chair Yoga

When you first try this video it may be surprising challenging. Stick with it and you will find yourself looking forward to doing every day. It’s perfect for those of us who cannot do standing or floor exercises.

Update 1-23-13 - I still use this program almost daily 19 months later and plan to the rest of my life. The length of the program, the moves included and the measured deep breathing throughout are exactly what I need to keep going. I've tried about every other senior yoga program there is and don't like any of them except for John Schorletzer (sp?) Ageless Yoga which I sometimes alternate with - his really isn't yoga but a gentle exercise program that increases mobility which I also need. Anne's is true healing Iyengar yoga and I don't think you can find anything better. :o)My review from 8-2-11 not long after I started it: I highly recommend this program by Anne Burnell for anyone with fibromyalgia. It is not advertised for FMS, but it should be - it has worked an absolute miracle on me. I've tried a couple of other DVDs and both made the pain much worse. 19 years of "fibro-fog" disappeared during the very first session 7 weeks ago, and hasn't returned. Headaches and chest pains (anyone with FMS will know what I'm talking about) were gone after two sessions, crippling back pain was nearly gone by two weeks. I could also bend over to pick up something out of the floor with no pain for the first time in 8 years. Amazing improvements in flexibility and energy level allow me to spend some time on enjoyable craft projects now instead of spending all my time on the sofa taking non-restorative naps. It doesn't cure FMS, but it keeps the symptoms at bay temporarily if I faithfully do it first thing in the morning. Certain activities can cause flareups of back pain and fatigue as before, but not as severe, and the next session will usually settle it back down.This is true healing yoga on a simplified scale. I don't understand how something that looks so easy can have any affect on your well-being, but it definitely does. Soothing music and a beginning relaxation session get your body and mind ready for the exercises. Easy gentle moves all while seated in a chair with emphasis on deep breathing gets oxygen to all the muscles that are being stretched and creates the miracle :o) And the time flies by - total of 40 minutes including the ending relaxation, but it seems more like only 5 minutes have passed so don't be afraid it will take too long and that you will get bored. It's the best 40 minutes I could ever spend. I haven't gone past the basic session yet but hope to soon start making use of Anne's other DVD set for seniors, called Stretch & Strength, on alternate days. I had so much improvement in the first couple of weeks I have since bought 8 DVDs as gifts for family and friends that I thought might get some benefit from it. Before receiving this DVD, I thought the rest of my life would be spent on the sofa. Thank you Anne for saving my life! Namaste!

I have two other DVDs in this series and found this DVD to be my least favorite. It has exercises for breathing, stretching, twisting, relaxing, and feet strength.There are some unusual moves like looking up while sticking out your tongue, and Buddhist practices like saying Oooooooom. When I use this DVD next, I will tighten and then release parts of the body from head to toe, instead of just thinking about them, as suggested.There is a nice relaxation section at the end, and the music throughout is very relaxing.

Several years ago, I was in a serious car accident and my right shoulder and parts of my back were badly injured. So I went through the physical theraphy which helped my shoulder and back to heal. Yet the doctor told me the pain would be chronic for the rest of my life. And I was not going to let this pain stay with me. So I tried many things, and then discovered this Chair Yoga Program. It is meant for really any age from young to old who have limited range of movement. This program is very gentle for me and is easy to follow. After using this for about a month at 6 days of the week, found that my range of motion has improved.If you purchase this, start by just doing this for one half of the time for the first 4 - 6 days, then gradually get into doing the whole program. This way it will be easier to use and follow and you will work your way up to the whole program.What I have found is that this is similar to a type of Yoga Theraphy Class that I take a gym. It is a great therapy for me to use for my shoulder and back and now, I am almost pain free and have my full motion back in my shoulder, right arm and back areas.One more thing: I have had this program for over one year. Just got around to doing a review for it. Noticed that this is kind of hard to find. But it can be found online in some online stores.

This was the most expensive workout I purchased and was the one I was most interested in. I was also the most disappointed in this purchase. I attend the Silver Sneakers Yoga Stretch at the YMCA twice a week and I really felt that I should be following through at home doing the chair yoga more often. I really wish each Yoga move was held longer. I felt like I was rushed through each move especially when Jim did his section. Anne's moves were given more time. Jim's sections were rushed. I also was very disappointed that most of the program was done in the chair. Once the section started on standing, it was very very short. I did not time it but there was only 3 or 4 moves. Standing is so important for the legs and opening the back. My yoga instructor at the YMCA spends 25 minutes in chair and 25 standing then 5 minutes relaxing/meditation beginning and ending (with water breaks).I wish that they made the video longer instead of making the moves so rushed. Yoga is suppose to relax you not rush you. My class in the YMCA is 1 hour this workout was only 52 minutes (two separate beginner and full workout not sure how long each is). Why so short??? With proper directions and completing the move time needs to be included!! She did not even give any breaks for water. There should be time added for this because it is very important.I even watched some youtube video of Ann Pringle and these were brief also so I guess I should of known. I just figured this was a youtube so she could not do as much in this media.Maybe after I do the video more often I will be happier. Next time, I will try to complete the beginner and the full program to see if this is more satisfying. I am sure after repeating the video I will also know the moves better and hopefully they will not feel so rushed:))))

I purchased HIIT for Seniors and was really pleased with it, but this Sitting Yoga is not what I expected and is not one I could recommend.Thanks, Bob

If you have mobility problems this yoga video is for you. Have wanted to do yoga for a while but was unable to do it because of mobility issues due to surgeries on my feet which make it very hard to get up off the floor and put a lot of pressure on my feet.The surgeries also affected my balance if trying to balance on 1 foot. This video allows you to get the stretching benefits of yoga in a sitting position. Definately worth a try .

I was very hesitant to try yoga (I'm 62), but I saw this dvd and thought I'd give it a whirl!! It's easy to follow ... as with anything new, it takes a bit to get used to the terminology and moves, but well worth it .... The only mistake I made, was I did it for 7 days in a row and exerted myself wayyyyy too hard so I had a lot of muscle pain for 3/4 days .... learned my lesson, and now I try to enjoy the stretches!!!Wendy

I think that maybe some more detailed instructions for the poses could have been included. I imagine , seeing the age of the seniors, in this video, chances are pretty good they have never done yoga before and same for seniors buying this video.I expected to get specific instructions engaging abs to make for a more effective workout and to prevent injury. I am 61 and have done some basic yoga so knew this.

Great DVD