SYNCHRONIZED YOGA STYLES

Chair yoga in Barcelona: a gentle practice, adapted to you

At Sincronia Yoga, in the heart of Gràcia, we have chair yoga classes for those who want to move calmly, without going down to the ground and without rushing.

The chair supports you. All you have to do is come, breathe, and move at your own pace. It doesn't matter how old you are, whether you've practiced yoga before, or how much you bend today.

What is chair yoga?

Chair yoga is a form of practicing yoga in which the chair takes the place of the mat.

The stretches, gentle twists, arm and leg work, and breathing exercises are the same as always: what changes is that you do them sitting down, or standing up with the chair as a support point.

That changes two important things. First, you don't have to get down on the floor or stand up from it. Second, you don't put your body weight on your wrists, knees, or hips.

Everything else remains the same: the calm, the breathing, the attention to what you feel and that little bit of time in the day that is just for you.

Who are these classes for?

These classes are designed for you if:

You are of advanced age and want to stay active, whether you have done yoga before or not.
You find it difficult to get down on the floor or stand up, due to stiffness, a prosthesis, or simply because you don't feel like it.
You feel dizzy when changing positions and prefer a practice without rapid movements.
You are regaining mobility after an injury or surgery and your doctor has told you that you can move gently.
You want to start with something calm before trying other styles.

And also if you simply fancy a friendly class, without pressure or comparisons. Here, nobody looks at what the person next to you is doing.

What we work on in class

Joint mobility. We move through ankles, knees, hips, spine, shoulders, neck and hands, little by little, in the path that feels comfortable to you today.

Balance and stability. With the chair always within easy reach, so you can work on your stability when standing up without feeling like you're going to fall off.

Gentle force. Legs, arms and abdomen, with just the right weight, using the seat and backrest for support.

Breathing. Simple exercises to breathe more deeply and slowly, which are also useful outside of class.

Company. Practice every week with the same group, at the same time, in a place where they know you by name.

What is a chair yoga class like, step by step

1. We welcome you and you tell us how you are

Before we begin, your teacher will come over to greet you and ask how you're feeling today: if anything is bothering you, if there are any movements you'd prefer to avoid, if it's your first time. This allows her to adapt the class to your needs as we go.

2. We begin seated: breathing and mobility

We start in the chair, with small movements to awaken the joints and a few minutes of conscious breathing to let go of what was on your mind.

3. Adapted posture: strength, flexibility and balance

Here comes the main part of the class. We'll work on seated or standing postures using the chair for support: spinal stretches, gentle twists, arm and leg exercises, and balance. Always at your own pace, always with the option to stop.

4. Final relaxation

We finish with a few minutes of relaxation in the chair or with our legs supported, to consolidate the practice before returning to the street.

The class lasts 60 minutes and the group is small, so we can give individual attention to each student.

What do you need to come?

Not much: comfortable clothes that allow you to move and the desire to dedicate an hour to yourself.

We provide the chairs, blankets, blocks, and belts. You can practice barefoot or with non-slip socks, whichever feels safer. You don't need to buy anything.

In chair yoga, the chair isn't just a secondary aid: it's the floor, the wall, and your practice partner all at once. It supports whatever you need it to support today, so you can focus on breathing.

ARE YOU UP FOR A TRY?

Come to a trial chair yoga class at Sincronia