Lakshmi Voelker Chair Yoga at Mobilates
- Suzanne
- Jun 29
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 7
Why Lakshmi Voelker Chair Yoga?
Accessible Seated Yoga at Mobilates, based on the Lakshmi Voelker Chair Yoga approach, offers a calm, supportive, and adaptable way to explore movement, breath, and relaxation. Led by Callie, the class is designed to meet people where they are, making yoga feel approachable and accessible for a wide range of abilities, health conditions, and energy levels.
Unlike some forms of yoga that focus on deep stretches or challenging positions, this style of chair yoga focuses on gentle, supported movement, body awareness, breathing, and comfort. The chair is not simply there as an aid - it is part of the practice itself, providing stability and support throughout so participants can move in a way that feels safe and manageable for their own body.
The focus is not on achieving the “deepest” stretch or performing movements perfectly. Instead, participants are encouraged to work within a comfortable range, with options and adaptations always available.
Accessible Seated Yoga can be especially helpful for people who may have previously felt unsure about yoga, including those living with chronic illness, fatigue, hypermobility, balance difficulties, or conditions affecting the nervous system. By focusing on support, awareness, and controlled movement rather than flexibility or performance, the class offers a gentle and reassuring way to explore yoga differently.
As with all Mobilates classes, the emphasis is on safe, inclusive movement that can be adapted to each person's needs on any given day.
A Bit of Class History
Accessible Seated Yoga is a newer addition to Mobilates and is currently being introduced through taster sessions during Move & Chat weeks. After recently qualifying in Lakshmi Voelker Chair Yoga, Callie wanted to bring this style of movement to Mobilates to help make yoga feel more accessible, supportive, and adaptable for a wider range of people.
Lakshmi Voelker developed Chair Yoga over 40 years ago as a way of making yoga more accessible. Rather than being a modified version of traditional yoga, it is a complete practice in its own right, with the chair forming an integral part of the experience. This approach makes it possible for more people to enjoy the benefits of yoga in a way that feels supportive, comfortable, and achievable.
Callie is passionate about creating spaces where movement feels safe, welcoming, and achievable, particularly for people who may previously have felt that yoga was not suitable for them. Her interest in accessible movement, alongside her ongoing training in yoga and inclusive practice, has shaped a calm and supportive approach that focuses on comfort, choice, and working with the body rather than against it.
The taster sessions have already sparked interest from members, particularly those looking for a gentler style of movement that still supports mobility, coordination, relaxation, and body awareness. Many participants have enjoyed the opportunity to experience yoga in a different way - one that focuses on support, breath, and mindful movement.
As Mobilates continues to explore new ways to support members with accessible exercise options, Accessible Seated Yoga offers another opportunity for people to move safely, confidently, and at their own pace.
The Benefits of Accessible Seated Yoga
Accessible Seated Yoga offers a calm way to move the body while supporting overall wellbeing. Because the class is fully seated and adaptable, it allows participants to focus on gentle movement, breath, and awareness without pressure or strain.
Participants may notice benefits such as:
Improved mobility and gentle joint movement
Increased body awareness and coordination
A greater sense of calm and relaxation
Improved confidence in movement
Reduced tension through gentle stretching and breathwork
A supportive way to reconnect with the body in a safe environment
The combination of movement and breath helps encourage a sense of steadiness and ease, making the class particularly helpful for those looking for a slower, more mindful approach to exercise.
As with all Mobilates sessions, the focus is not on performance, but on moving in a way that feels comfortable and achievable for each individual. This makes the class suitable for a wide range of abilities, energy levels, and experiences.
Try a Taster Session
The best way to understand Accessible Seated Yoga is to experience it for yourself. Callie has already been running taster sessions during Move & Chat weeks, and many members have enjoyed the opportunity to try this gentle and supportive style of movement in a relaxed way.
In this session, you'll see how Lakshmi Voelker Chair Yoga is taught in practice, with clear guidance, options throughout, and a calm pace that allows you to follow along in a way that suits your body. Movements are fully seated and adaptable, with a focus on comfort, breath, and ease rather than performance or perfection.
This is a great opportunity to get a feel for the class before it becomes a regular part of the timetable, especially if you are new to yoga or unsure whether it is right for you.
Prefer a visual? Follow along with the taster session below:
Final Thought
Accessible Seated Yoga at Mobilates offers a calm, supportive, and adaptable way to explore movement, breath, and relaxation in a way that feels safe and achievable for a wide range of people. By focusing on gentle, seated movement, the class removes pressure and allows participants to work in a way that suits their own body, energy levels, and needs on any given day.
Led by Callie, this new addition to the timetable reflects a passion for making yoga more inclusive and accessible. Rather than focusing on flexibility or performance, the emphasis is on comfort, awareness, and choice - helping people to move in a way that feels right for them.
For many, this style of yoga offers a very different experience from what they may have expected, showing that yoga does not need to involve difficult poses or pushing beyond limits in order to be beneficial. Instead, it can be calm, supportive, and adaptable, with the chair providing a stable foundation throughout.
As Mobilates continues to expand its range of online classes, Accessible Seated Yoga offers another option for members looking to improve mobility, relaxation, and confidence in a gentle and welcoming environment.
Further Information
For those interested in learning more about accessible yoga, hypermobility, or adapted movement approaches, the following resources may be helpful:
The Ehlers-Danlos Society – guidance on movement, exercise, and physical therapy for people with hypermobility and EDS.
Ehlers-Danlos Support UK - Physical therapy for hypermobility
Lakshmi Voelker Chair Yoga
Mayo Clinic Connect. Yoga for Well-Being in hEDS/HSD.
Lakshmi Voelker Chair Yoga– information about the chair yoga approach that inspired this style of practice.
Accessible Yoga with Jivana Heyman – resources exploring how yoga can be adapted to suit different bodies, abilities, and health conditions.
As always, participants are encouraged to work within their own comfort levels, listen to their bodies, and seek individual medical advice where appropriate.
Ready to Try a Class?
Mobilates offers a range of online Pilates and movement classes via Zoom, supporting people with long-term health conditions, reduced mobility, and anyone looking to improve strength, mobility, and confidence through safe, accessible exercise.
We do not yet have regular Lakshmi Voelker Chair Yoga at Mobilates. However Callie will be delivering Chair Yoga for Everyday Wellbeing: A 6-Week Introduction to Lakshmi Voelker Chair Yoga® starting the 21st July. You can book here.
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Other Blogs in this series:
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