Chair pose (Utkatasana) is a great pose to help you build strength in your legs, improve your balance and energize the whole body. It’s a powerful yoga posture that can be challenging for most yogis and requires both determination and commitment to master it.
To enter this pose, stand erect in Mountain Pose or Tadasana, then slowly bring your feet together to face each other and straighten your arms alongside the body. If this is too difficult, a block or chair can be placed between the thighs to support the knees and prevent the hips from sinking inward.
After the arms are raised, bend at the waist and reach the left leg behind the back to rest it against the chair for a moment. Repeat this on the other side and enjoy the gentle stretch. This is also a great pose for people with hip or knee problems since it’s more of a balancing pose than a strenuous stretch.
Performing Chair Pose regularly can strengthen the thighs, make the knees and ankles more limber and sturdy, and develop shoulder and arm strength. It’s a good yoga posture to do to relieve stress and tension because it helps to relax both the legs and the upper back. It’s also helpful in reducing insomnia, improving circulation, and relieving menstrual discomfort.
The regularity of practicing this posture can also increase focus, concentration and attentiveness. It’s a great yoga posture to practice before an important meeting or exam as it calms the mind, prepares for action, and improves focus and memory.
This is a beneficial pose for most people, but it can be dangerous to practice if you have any recent or chronic injuries in the hips, knees or lower back. If you have such a condition, it’s recommended that you seek the guidance of a trained instructor to avoid injury.
There are many variations of this simple pose that can challenge your balance and work the different parts of your body. For instance, you can try Revolved Chair Pose to strengthen the thigh muscles by crossing your right knee over the left one. You can even place a heavy block between the thighs to strengthen your quads, as well as a chair or book for increased stability. Try experimenting with different versions of this pose to see what works best for you. As always, remember to listen to your body and only push as far as is comfortable. With the guidance of a knowledgeable teacher, you can safely enjoy all the benefits that chair pose has to offer. Happy Practicing!