Ever wondered how a physically challenged person can perform yoga? There are simple yoga poses that can be done by physically challenged people, which can help them stay in good health and shape. It is wheelchair yoga we are talking about.

Would you like to know more? Keep reading.

What Is Wheelchair Yoga?

Wheelchair yoga is an Indian yogic practice that helps physically challenged people get that much-needed exercise. While you perform wheelchair yoga poses, try honing your skills. With regular practice, wheelchair yoga will improve your heart health, coordination, and help you be more peaceful.

Let’s look at some basic wheelchair yoga poses. Listed below are some popular ones:

1. Cat Pose:

The cat pose helps strengthen your back muscles.

Performing It:

1. Grip your chair or keep your palms on your thighs.
2. Now bend your upper body forward, drop your chin to your chest and arch your spine.
3. Hold this position for around 30 seconds.

Alternate:

1. Interlock your fingers.
2. Lift your fingers to your chest.
3. Now follow the same routine as above, bending your upper body forward and arching your spine.
4. Hold the position for a few deep breaths.

2. Cow Pose:

The cow pose is another effective wheelchair yoga pose. It helps open up your chest and the upper body.

Performing It:

1. Keep your hands on your thighs or grip your chair.
2. Lift your head towards the ceiling and begin arching your back gently.
3. Hold this pose for around 30-45 seconds.

Alternate:

1. Begin by extending your arms out to the sides; keep stretching as wide as you can and keep them a little below shoulder height.
2. Lift your head towards the ceiling and begin arching your back gently.
3. Hold this pose for around 30-45 seconds.

3. Side Bend:

The side bend is good for toning your obliques and abdominal muscles.

Performing It:

1. Begin by lifting one arm over your head.
2. Keep the other arm on your hip or the armrest.
3. Now gently stretch your upper body towards the raised arm.
4. Hold this pose for around 30 seconds.
5. Come back to the starting position and switch sides.

Note:

Don’t perform this pose if you have rods in your legs. Consult your physician and try performing another asana for toning your abs.

4. Eagle Pose:

The Eagle pose is good for strengthening your back and upper shoulders.

Performing It:

1. Begin by lifting your arms in front of your shoulders.
2. Now cross your arms over at the elbows so that your palms face away from each other
3. Hold this position for around 30-45 seconds.

Alternate:

1. Begin by lifting your arms in front of your shoulders.
2. Cross your arms over the elbows and rotate your hands so that your palms are joined.
3. Hold this position for around 30-45 seconds.

Adaptive Yoga:

We talked about wheelchair yoga and how it can help physically challenged people. There is another system of yoga for physically challenged people, known as adaptive yoga. As the name mentions, adaptive yoga caters to your particular disability.

Benefits Of Wheelchair Yoga:

Now that you know what wheelchair yoga is, and are aware of the various poses, you might wonder how it helps or what its benefits are. Well, wonder no more.

Wheelchair yoga helps:

• Improve your body’s flexibility
• Increases your strength
• Improves co-ordination
• Improves your lung capacity
• Eases stress, reduces tension and anxiety
• Improves your focus
• Helps you sleep better

Precautions:

Wheelchair yoga is quite beneficial, but consider keeping these precautions in mind when you practice wheelchair yoga:

1. Consult your doctor before you begin with any fitness regimen, even if it is the innocuous wheel chair yoga.
2. Try and perform yoga in the presence of your partner or caregiver.
3. Don’t overstretch yourself. If you experience a mild tension while performing any pose, ease up.
4. Breathe normally when you hold a position.

We hope that you found the information useful. If you know of other yoga poses for physically challenged people, please share them with us here. Leave a comment below.

The post 4 Best Wheelchair Yoga Asanas For People With Disabilities appeared first on STYLECRAZE.

by Ameya C via STYLECRAZE