After teaching chair yoga for several years Liz Franklin can testify that it appropriate for almost anyone, even if they are feeling the effects of aging or have physical limitations. It is not for hard-bodied 20-somethings that can twist themselves into poses that look impossible the only prerequisite is that you can sit in a chair, including a wheelchair.

What better way to illustrate how chair yoga has benefited those unable to attend a traditional yoga class than to tell it in their own words?

Hi! Im Anne Sanders. I am 49 years old, and have worked at Hallmark Cards for 20 years. I have had seven surgeries in the past three years due to an accident, and found myself in a place where I had become immobile and was losing flexibility. My surgery also included knee replacement, which I thought for sure meant I could not do yoga, but I was wrong!

I started doing chair yoga almost exactly 2 years ago. I thought you would have to be limber and athletic to do even chair yoga. Liz quickly helped me understand that this was not the case. She is a great teacher and really works hard to make each class very personal. She sets a peaceful tone to the class with her careful selection of relaxing music. That peace pervades the practice and I find that I take that calm state home with me when I leave class. I have developed lasting friendships with the others in the class. Liz has also helped me design my own yoga break that I can do at my desk to relieve stress at work. My carpal tunnel syndrome has also improved, and I believe I have increased my range of motion.

There are so many reasons why I love chair yoga, but I only have room to share a few here with you. I love how it makes both my mind and body feel. I love to come to class each week! The classes are set in a calm, relaxing, non-competitive atmosphere.