Founded in 1982 by Lakshmi Voelker, Chair Yoga is a more accessible practice, where students of all abilities can experience the benefits of yoga, without worrying about extra stress on joints, balancing, or supporting body weight. I was able to chat with Sarah Stevenson, a chair yoga teacher at Providence Power Yoga, who shares how Chair Yoga can be beneficial to all.
Sarah has been a practicing Yogi for over 20 years, and always knew she wanted to teach one day. She followed her passion and completed a 200-hour yoga teacher training at Providence Power Yoga, followed by a 30-hour chair yoga training with the founder of the practice. She started her teaching journey in July 2023. Sarah knew right from the beginning that her calling was Chair Yoga. It’s one of the most accessible forms of yoga. With chair yoga, you can stay seated the entire practice. You build strength and flexibility while improving your overall mobility. Sarah adds, “society often shows us that yoga is for folks who are young, thin, and flexible. But that’s not true at all! Yoga is for everyone and there are so many ways to practice yoga and reap the benefits of it!”
Sarah finds that her classes are a mix of all ages, but more from the 60+ crowd. Chair Yoga is also helpful for people who are recovering from an illness or injury. People who are newly beginning their yoga journey will also find this class enjoyable, as it is a great entry into practicing. Regardless of who you are, you’ll be surprised at the end at, “just how much work you can accomplish in a chair! Come as you are, you already have everything you need to practice yoga, no matter your age, your health, or your physical abilities.”
In addition to teaching, Sarah is a licensed clinical social worker and has been working at the Providence VA since 2007. She works with Veterans who suffer from chronic medical conditions such as kidney, heart, and lung disease.
You can check out Sarah’s classes at Providence Power Yoga’s East Providence studio located at 1235 Wampanoag Trail. Chair classes are Mondays at 4:00 p.m. and Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. You can sign up online on the studio’s website or show up 15 minutes before class. No supplies? No worries! The studio has everything you might need for the class, including a chair, yoga blocks, straps, and even free weights.
Chair Yoga has touched other aspects of Sarah’s life, not just physically but mentally. She says, “I see even more beauty and power in things that society often tells us are not beautiful or powerful. My chair yoga trainer always said, ‘yoga is a work-in, not a workout.’ The physical benefits of yoga are great, but the mental benefits are life changing. What you practice in a yoga class you take into your everyday life – accepting things as they are, knowing your limits, and maintaining focus in the midst of challenge.”
