{"id":1101,"date":"2023-11-13T10:34:43","date_gmt":"2023-11-13T10:34:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drishtiyogaschool.com\/blog\/?p=1101"},"modified":"2026-09-08T13:48:48","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T13:48:48","slug":"chair-pose","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drishtiyogaschool.com\/blog\/chair-pose\/","title":{"rendered":"Chair Pose (Utkatasana): Benefits, How-To & Variations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Chair Pose<\/strong> is known as Utkatasana<\/strong>. The Sanskrit word \u201cUtkata\u201d<\/strong> means wild, intense, or fierce<\/em>, and \u201cAsana\u201d<\/strong> means posture<\/em>. It is said that Krishnamacharya<\/strong> originated the modern chair-like pose after the 19th century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The posture is designed to resemble sitting on an imaginary chair. However, this posture is not simply about sitting in a chair; it is often considered a substitute for a throne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Historically, chairs were not commonly used in India, and most people sat on the floor. Elevated chairs or thrones were reserved for royalty. This elevation made it easier to create an interaction of seeing and being seen between the king and his subjects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The philosophical aspect of Utkatasana<\/strong> can also be connected to the epic Ramayana<\/strong>. According to the story, Lord Rama, the ruler of Ayodhya, was sent into exile (Vanvas<\/em>) for 14 years. During this period, Lord Rama\u2019s sandals were placed on the throne as a symbolic statement:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Rama is absent, but I will perform my duties to the best of my ability during his absence.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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