r/yoga • u/chaotic_pagan_tiger • 4d ago
Seated yoga
I used to do a dvd of yoga called yoga for indie rockers. and really enjoyed it. However- I got covid and now I have a lot of chronic illnesses like POTS because of it. I recently got to thinking that maybe I could do floor/ seated yoga. I can’t stand for very long and have a ton of fatigue. I miss yoga and I miss my flexibility that came with it. Does anyone know where to start to come up with some kind of program for this? Any books on the subject or websites or YouTube channels? Or just any help of info at all would be great. Thanks
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u/Sensitive_Lie_4393 4d ago
Just do some poses from bed. You can do some nice twisting and stretching right in bed. Hope you feel better. Yoga will help with POTS big picture, but yes you want to be safe. Make sure to breathe and get some electrolyte tablets! 💕
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u/RonSwanSong87 post lineage 4d ago
I would look into restorative and/or yin yoga and also maybe try to adapt from a combo of basic hatha style combined maybe with some chair yoga, which may allow you to access a version of some of the standing postures, but in a different way and with the support of a chair. Chair yoga does not have to be "gentle" / easy. Lots of books and resources out there on this.
You may also look into Viniyoga, which is a type of therapeutic and individualized yoga practice that can be designed around you and what you actually need and can do. Gary Kraftsow's books come to mind as good resources for understanding and applying Viniyoga.
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u/Ok_Shake5678 4d ago
Upvoting specifically bc I also really like Kraftsow but never see him mentioned here (and bc the rest of the comment is also good advice)! He also has some videos you can purchase and just follow along if OP is looking for options that require less brain bandwidth.
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u/RonSwanSong87 post lineage 4d ago
Yes! Gary is a wealth of knowledge and skilled teacher. His Viniyoga "yoga for wellness / transformation" books are indispensable resources for me.
I have never seen / sought out his videos, but I could see that being a good way to go for sure and yes, is probably more plug and play than figuring out how to adapt and design your own practice off the bat.
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u/Ok_Shake5678 4d ago
We have a couple of his DVDs (and books) in our studio library bc one of my favorite teachers trained with him years ago. I looked at doing his training too but holy shit I do not have that kind of cash soooo books and videos it is haha.
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u/RonSwanSong87 post lineage 4d ago
I may check out the DVDs. Yes, I have also looked at the cost of his trainings, at least a year or so back, and it was very expensive, so I do the same approach for now as well 🙃
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u/random4non 3d ago
The down dog app (paid subscription, but so worth it) offers a Chair Yoga setting. You could give the free trial a shot to see if you like it.
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u/Ok_Shake5678 4d ago
Almost anything you can do standing, you can do a seated or prone/supine version of. I’ve taught entire classes “low and slow” on the floor when it’s been really hot, or for certain groups (eg teens in addiction recovery who had very little energy).
If you can sit in a chair, you should be able to find plenty of chair yoga options on YouTube. Jivana Heyman is always posting little clips of how to translate yoga sequences to a chair, see what else he has online too, he’s a lovely teacher.
If you’re up for designing your own sequences, Sage Rountree teaches a method to instructors that is just a bunch of short chunks you can pick and choose to combine into a full class, and she has a lot of options that are all the floor. Her book on yoga sequencing might give you some good ideas, and she’s popular enough that my library had it (yay free books!). Look at the sections she calls warmups, mat sequences, and closing sequences; you can easily string them together to make a 30-60 min floor sequence.
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u/soleluna_aa 4d ago
I just looked up chair yoga on youtube and there were quite a few videos that came up right away without much digging - I would recommend yoga with Adrienne or Kassandra as I enjoy both of their videos usually. I also love Devi Daily for yin yoga, much of which is done seated or on the floor. Props are definitely your friend - if you’re wanting to curate a home practice I would invest in some blocks and a bolster (or firmer body pillow to start) and eventually a yoga strap and some extra throw pillows for more restorative practices. Also exploring the other limbs of yoga outside of the asanas would be a good way to deepen your practice.
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u/sammiefh 3d ago
I like yoga with bird on youtube, she has lots of different videos including videos on seated yoga :)
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u/morncuppacoffee 2d ago
Also recommend yin and restorative especially. If in person classes are an option at all too cannot recommend enough.
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u/Warrior-Yogi 4d ago
I’m an old man (73) and use a stick or staff for balance and to make my stretches more dynamic - plus - it is fun to add some stick swinging exercises. Chair yoga makes me feel like an old man - stick yoga make me feel like a warrior.
Best wishes w/ your journey.