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Chair Pose

Last updated: December 21, 2023

What Does Chair Pose Mean?

Chair pose is a standing yoga posture that strengthens the core and lower body. In this pose, the arms extend upward alongside the ears, while the knees bend as if sitting on an imaginary chair.

This is an important pose in yoga for energizing the entire body and promoting creativity and mental strength.

Chair pose is also known as fierce pose, powerful pose or, in Bikram yoga, awkward pose. The Sanskrit name is utkatasana.

Chair Pose

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Yogapedia Explains Chair Pose

Some of the benefits of this powerful pose are:

  • Toning of the muscles around the ankles, hips and knees
  • Strengthening of the thighs
  • Opening of the chest and shoulders
  • Stretching of the Achilles tendons
  • Stimulation of the circulatory system and abdominal organs
  • Strengthening of the lower back and stretching of the upper back

It is also believed to relieve flat feet and increase stamina. Anyone with a knee or ankle injury should avoid this pose.

Beginners might feel more comfortable in half chair pose (ardha utkatasana), in which the squat is only half as deep as utkatasana. Another variation is revolved half chair (parivrtta ardha utkatasana), in which the hands are in prayer position and the upper body twists to the side.


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Synonyms

Fierce Pose

Powerful Pose

Awkward Pose

Intense Pose

Pleasure Pose

Awkward Chair Pose

Hazardous Pose

Lightning Bolt Pose

Wild Pose

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