A 25-minute Iyengar Yoga practice using a chair to deepen your understanding of two foundational standing poses: Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II) and Utthita Parsvakonasana (Extended Side Angle Pose). The chair provides valuable feedback, allowing you to explore alignment, stability, and action in ways that are often difficult to perceive in the classical presentations.

While this class is accessible to students who are new to Iyengar Yoga, it is far from an easy practice. The chair creates opportunities for longer holds, closer observation, and a deeper investigation into the intelligence of the standing poses.

Continue your practice inside Po Online where we build on these foundations with structured classes, progressions, and deeper study.

About This Practice

One of the unique strengths of Iyengar Yoga is the way props transform familiar poses into opportunities for deeper learning. In this practice, the chair is not simply providing support—it becomes a teacher.

By working with the chair, you'll receive immediate feedback about your balance, alignment, and the actions required in each pose. The support also makes it possible to remain in the asanas longer, allowing subtle relationships within the body to become clearer.

Although this practice is appropriate for beginners, experienced practitioners will also discover new layers of understanding. The chair often reveals details that can be difficult to access without external feedback.

What You'll Practice

• Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II)

• Utthita Parsvakonasana (Extended Side Angle Pose)

• Using a chair as a teaching tool

• Refining standing pose alignment

• Holding poses for longer durations

• Developing greater stability in standing poses

• Exploring feedback through supported practice

When to Use This Practice

• When refining standing poses

• To improve alignment and stability

• When learning to use a chair in Iyengar Yoga

• As a focused standing pose practice

• When you want to deepen your understanding of foundational asanas

Who This Is For

• Students new to Iyengar Yoga

• Practitioners refining standing poses

• Anyone interested in learning with props

• Students wanting greater awareness in Warrior II and Extended Side Angle Pose

• Both beginner and experienced yoga practitioners

Frequently Asked Questions

Why use a chair for standing poses?

A chair provides valuable feedback that helps students better understand alignment, balance, and the actions within each pose. It creates opportunities to observe details that may otherwise go unnoticed.

Does using a chair make the poses easier?

Not necessarily. While the chair provides support, it often allows students to stay in the poses longer and investigate the actions more deeply, making the practice more educational rather than less challenging.

Why hold the poses for a longer time?

Longer holds create space for observation and refinement. They allow students to experience how the body organizes itself over time and identify subtle adjustments that improve the pose.

Is this practice suitable for beginners?

Yes. The chair makes the learning process more accessible while helping beginners develop confidence and understanding of foundational standing poses.

Can experienced practitioners benefit from this sequence?

Absolutely. The chair often reveals new insights into familiar poses, making it a valuable tool for continued refinement regardless of experience level.

Why are Virabhadrasana II and Utthita Parsvakonasana paired together?

These two standing poses share many fundamental actions. Studying them together provides a deeper understanding of how stability, strength, and alignment translate across different asanas.

Continue Your Practice

If you enjoyed this class, you can continue your practice across the Studio Po ecosystem:

• Practice in-person at Po Toronto

• Explore full-length classes inside Po Online

• Read reflections and insights on Stephanie’s Blog