We all know that we need exercise, and many of us have lifestyles that do not lend themselves to movement. A good exercise chaise lounge, a yoga chair or an exercise ball, or perhaps even all three, can promote stretching and engaging in exercise routines.
How to Use a Yoga Chaise Lounge
An exercise chaise lounge can be used for solitary yoga practice, or it can be used as part of a couple's tantric yoga practice. The yoga chaise lounge is narrow, enabling the user to straddle it. Yet it is wide enough to offer comfortable support for one adult body width. The curves encourage correct posture and stretching. It can be used with yoga poses that involve being inverted, such as the Bridge, or the Fish pose. It can also simply be a nicely curved surface for relaxing, reading a book, or sleeping. Thanks to its narrow width, it is easier to fit into place where an ordinary couch or exercise bench might be difficult to place. The best part is that it can turn a resting pose into an exercise that stretches and strengthens the core muscles.
How to Use a Floor Backrest or Yoga Chair
There are times when you really need to be able to sit on the floor or at floor level. Unfortunately, a lifetime of sitting on chairs does not provide the average westerner with the right muscle groups to sit comfortably on the floor. A yoga chair provides back support and a little lift. A floor backrest often adds a cushion and back support. One big difference between the two is that the floor backrest can also be used on bleachers or other uncomfortable seating that does not supply a backrest. The yoga chair is often a wide-based seat that lifts you slightly off the floor, which can be a blessing in areas that are drafty, dusty or damp.
The Yoga Pillow
A yoga pillow does not usually have legs, nor does it have a backrest. It does, however, insulate your backside from cold floors and provides a little protection for your hipbones. This can help you maintain your focus during a meditation session. It can also provide support for some of the seated yoga positions.
The Exercise Ball
Using exercise balls as desk chairs has become a fashionable choice. However, not everyone is successful at balancing on a ball, and not all exercise balls come in the same height. If you want to sit on a plain exercise ball, check the dimensions first and make sure they are the right height for you. For less intrepid explorers into this realm of seating, a frame that will hold the ball steady and not let it roll away is an asset. If that frame has lockable wheels on it and a back, you are truly moving uptown, so to speak, with this type of seating.