Zenworks Blog

Spotlight on Chair Pose

What it is: This is a great pose for a crowded classroom, because you won’t need a lot of space. Each student can stand at his/her desk for this one.

Why we love it: It’s a great energizing pose for all ages, and strengthens the ankles, calves, thighs and spines while stretching the shoulders and chest.

How you do it:

1.   Stand tall with your feet together.
2.   Exhale, bend your knees and sit your hips back as if you’re going to sit in a chair.
3.   Inhale and press your palms together in front of your chest.
4.   Stay in this Chair Pose for two more breaths.

For more challenge:

• Inhale, lengthen your spine. Exhale as you twist your upper body to the right side, bringing your left arm forward and your right arm back.
• Inhale back to the center and lengthen your spine. Exhale as you twist to the other side, bringing your right arm forward and your left arm back.
• Inhale, lengthen your spine, exhale twist to your right.
• Inhale through center. Exhale twist left.  
• Inhale come back to center. Stand tall.

If your students are new to this pose, you can have them use the wall as back support.  The twisting in the challenge strengthens the lower body and lengthen the upper body.  It takes focus and will power to stay in a twisting pose.  You can also follow along with our students doing Chair 1 and Chair 2.

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