Chair Pose

Utkatasana

Chair Pose is a standing pose where you bend the knees deeply and sweep the arms overhead as if sitting back into an invisible chair. It builds heat and strength in the thighs, hips, and core while the lifted arms open the chest. In the Sun Salutations it links breath to a powerful whole-body engagement.

Alignment cues

• Bend the knees and sit the hips back and down
• Sweep the arms overhead, biceps by the ears
• Draw the lower ribs in and lengthen the tailbone down

Benefits

• Strengthens the thighs and glutes
• Builds core stability
• Warms up the body for standing poses

Modifications

• Sit the hips higher for a gentler knee bend
• Keep arms at the heart if shoulders are tight