Roz – 41 years old: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) -

Roz had MS and wanted to keep her back in shape.  She decided to start Lakshmi Voelker Chair Yoga™ as a healing, supporting discipline.  Roz learned which breathing exercises would keep her body temperature cool and which asanas (poses) would help support her back muscles and spine and which ones were contraindicated.  She continued to practice Lakshmi Voelker Chair Yoga™ and has now added Pilates and other healing and movement modalities with great success and JOY!

Juan – 12 years old: Cerebral Palsy -

Juan was always quiet and had never spoken, yet he loved to participate in Lakshmi’s chair yoga class to the best of his ability.  Most of his movements were involuntary and when he did move there was a lot of jerking involved. You could tell he was troubled with the involuntary movements and the constant dripping of saliva.  Juan always had a smile for everyone!  One day Lakshmi was telling the kids a story about the sunflower and the seeds and how the birds loved the seeds and if a seed was lucky enough to get away from the beak of a bird it would grow into a what???  Lakshmi posed this question to everyone, who by that time had all smelled the very big sunflower they were holding.  All of a sudden the answer to Lakshmi’s question came from the right of her.  “A FLOWER!” Juan spoke and nearly brought the aides, PT’s, and OT’s to tears for he had not spoken for a long time.  Everyone believed that the breathing and relaxation techniques that his parents and OT’s worked on with him afforded him the opportunity to speak.

Paula – 81 years old: Leg Brace due to Polio -

With limited mobility in Paula’s left leg due to Polio, she felt embarrassed to go to a traditional mat yoga class.  She signed up for Lakshmi’s class and began doing chair yoga on a single chair for a few months experiencing no pain. Paula had re-gained her flexibility and confidence.  She then started practicing double chair by carefully assisting the braced leg onto the double chair.  Paula was able to do movements that she thought she never could do!  With a newfound positive attitude Paula experienced great joy and confidence as she continued to work carefully with her body and mind via the chair yoga™ asanas, breathing techniques, and meditations.

Johnny – 11 years old: Down Syndrome -

Well Johnny was the cutest child that Lakshmi had ever seen.He walked into chair yoga class with a great “bowl” haircut and a red long sleeved shirt wearing Osh Kosh overhauls. He walked in totally confident with a great big smile. He quietly walked around the circle of his disabled friends who were ready to take their Lakshmi Voelker Chair Yoga™ class. Johnny tapped each and every one on the top of their heads!   He was one pointed and had to touch each and every one of them.   When Johnny was done, he climbed up on the five-foot high pile of yoga mats and sat down, crossed his legs in the lotus position and put his thumb and pointers together in Jnana Mudra then he closed his eyes to meditate. In addition, some of the time Johnny led part of the chair yoga classes!

Inez – 102 years old: Ageing -

Inez was in pretty good health when Lakshmi met her. At that time she was 98! Inez quickly fell in love with Lakshmi Voelker Chair Yoga™.  After 2 years of practicing chair yoga, Inez said to Lakshmi, “I am 100 years old-I have seen 6 wars, the invention of the telephone, radio, TV, computers, color and talking movies, airplane, nuclear power, and saw man walking on the moon.  I was tired Lakshmi and wanted to die but now I do not for I feel so fabulous doing Lakshmi Voelker Chair Yoga™!”  She lived another happy healthy yoga filled 2 years after that statement!

Pamela – 49 years old: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) -

Pamela is in a wheelchair and was full of joy and also sad because she could not exercise any longer because of her MS.  She decided to start private chair yoga classes with Lakshmi. After Pamela’s first class, she said to Lakshmi, “My legs are happy again!”  Pamela continues to work with her aide and the Lakshmi Voelker Chair Yoga™ CD.

“…this is a competently instructed, well-organized and accessible program suitable for all levels of students.”

Contributing editor Richard Rosen, Yoga Journal

“The techniques that Lakshmi teaches arthritis patients are very valuable in reducing pain and increasing function.  When patients have participated in Lakshmi’s programs, there have been clear gains”

Maria Greenwald, MD FACR

“A great pick-me-up for my afternoon slump.  Better than coffee or sugar.”

Lynn McCarthy – Assistant Manager, Disney Studio

“Chair Yoga can magically open doorways to all those who seek all the benefits of yoga.  Lakshmi Voelker teaches from not just a deep understanding of the transformative power of yoga, but from her heart and her conviction as to how these practices can safely bring those with limited flexibility to a profound state of harmony, balance and healing.”

Sudhir Jonathan Foust – Senior Teacher and former President, Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health