Certification
Registered Yoga Teacher, RYT-200
Yoga Alliance, 2010
Self-reported
All professionals
Yoga in Maplewood
Raj Desai
Yoga and Music lessons: Chair yoga and breathing for stiff joints
Guitar
Retired engineer who teaches calm, practical chair yoga and a little singing
- 5.0 from 4 reviews
- Lives in Maplewood
- All five checks passed
Ask a question before you book. Contact details stay private.
Credentials
Training or degree
Chair Yoga Teacher Training
Yoga Alliance continuing education, 2014
Self-reported
Professional experience
Mechanical engineer
Defense contractor, Parsippany, 1985 to 2013
Self-reported
About me
I was a mechanical engineer for almost thirty years, and yoga started as the thing I did so my back would stop complaining at my desk. In 2010 I finished my 200 hour teacher training, and when I retired I started teaching chair yoga full time around Maplewood and South Orange.
I teach the way an engineer would: clear instructions, one change at a time, and a reason for everything. Every pose can be done seated, and I show standing versions only if you want them. We spend real time on breathing, because slow breaths make every stretch easier. Some families also book me for music. I play harmonium and sing old Hindi film songs and bhajans, and I teach simple melodies to anyone who would like to try. Singing turns out to be very good breathing practice.
My wife and I live a short walk from Memorial Park in Maplewood. I am 63, and my granddaughter is currently teaching me TikTok dances, with mixed results.
What a first visit looks like
- 1
Minute 0 to 10
We talk about where you feel stiff, how you sleep, and what kind of movement you enjoy.
- 2
Minute 10 to 20
Seated breathing practice: slow counts in and out, with your hands on your ribs to feel it.
- 3
Minute 20 to 50
Chair yoga sequence for neck, shoulders, spine and hips, each pose shown slowly and repeated.
- 4
Minute 50 to 60
A quiet rest with guided breathing, then I leave a printed sequence you can follow on your own.
What to have ready
Nothing to buy before the first visit
- A sturdy armless chair
- Loose, comfortable clothes
- A small pillow or folded towel
- A quiet room
Where Raj goes
- MaplewoodLives here
- Bloomfield
- Glen Ridge
- Millburn
- Roseland
- Short Hills
- South Orange
Where in the home
Living roomCommunity room
Usual week
Mon
9am
to 1pmTue
Off
Wed
9am
to 1pmThu
Off
Fri
9am
to 1pmSat
Off
Sun
Off
What families say
“Gentle pace, good humor. Exactly what we hoped for.”
Maria T.
“My father played us a song at Sunday dinner.”
Frank G.
“We were not sure Dad would go for it. He did.”
Susan L.
“Second month now. Still the highlight of Dad's week.”
Joanne M.
Checked and vetted
- Online search
- A real conversation with our team
- Signed provider agreement
- Criminal background check
- National sex offender registry check
$65 per hour
Plus a $2.50 booking fee and 10% service fee.
Free cancellation up to 3 days before.