CHAIR YOGA

What is Chair Yoga?

The Knoff Yoga School's weekly Chair Yoga class is a modified form of Hatha Yoga using The Knoff Yoga System.

The Chair Yoga Course designers, Nicky Knoff and James Bryan taught yoga at the Crippled Children’s Society in New Zealand for 10 years (Nicky) and 2 years (James) and this programme is the outcome of the learning and experience they gained from working with a wide range of people with physical disabilities.

Chair Yoga is aimed at the reduced physical capabilities of a significant portion of the population (aged or otherwise), those who have health issues or may feel challenged by a conventional yoga class. It is not a dumbed-downed or diluted approach to yoga.

Our emphasis is on creating a yoga practice that is gentle and safe, but also anatomically correct and prepares you to enter a general yoga class if you so wish.

It is a gentle form of yoga modified so that you may sit in a chair or stand using the chair for support. Your Chair Yoga teacher will guide you in a safe, compassionate and patient manner using postures, breathwork, relaxation and meditation that is targeted to:

• Increase mobility and strength to prevent debilitating conditions,

• Balance mind and body to increase awareness, concentration & focus,

• Provide meditation & relaxation techniques to calm & soothe,

• Give you the tools to enhance your daily lifestyle,

• Assist you to take control of your health & well-being for the long term.

The Knoff Yoga System of Chair Yoga incorporates a synergistic mix of 5 traditional elements taught on a percentage basis in every class:

• 5% - Centering: non-religious meditation
• 12% - Breath Work: yogic full breath and ujjayi pranayama
• 66% - Postures: anatomically aligned and structurally balanced – with the aid of a chair
• 12% - Relaxation: savasana with legs supported
• 5% - Yoga Philosophy: positive, uplifting and life affirming

It is quite amazing how much can be accomplished using a chair!

Who will Benefit from Chair Yoga?

Chair Yoga is beneficial for a wide range of people:-

• Seniors
• Those challenged by conventional yoga classes
• A range of health issues such as:-
• Arthritis
• High Blood Pressure
• Anxiety
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Vertigo (medical)
• Multiple sclerosis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Clinical depression
• Chronic Pain

Those recovering from:-

• an illness, stroke or injury.
• disabilities,
• lack of mobility,
• balance problems,
• joint challenges,
• recovering from illness,
• accidents and operations,
• or other physical issues

Chair Yoga Highlights

• Individuality of every student
• Step-by-step progression
• Adjusting for body proportions
• Right and left weeks to ensure symmetry of body, breath and mind
• Education as well as exercise

For additional information go to:

Important Information

Public Classes for our class timetables.

We also offer additional classes to assist you.

Weekly Introduction to Yoga Class based on a 5 week rotational programe.

Private & Yoga Therapy (one-on-one) classes, by appointment, to help with your specific issues before joining the Introduction to Yoga or public classes.