The popularity of yoga has increased dramatically over the past few decades and, while yoga is often considered primarily the realm of the younger set, a growing number of the elderly have embraced the practice as well.
And with all the benefits that can be achieved for the aging body, that affinity should come as no surprise.
Here are Some of the Benefits of Yoga for Seniors
Yoga can Improve Mobility
Many elderly men and women often must deal with stiffness and pain. Arthritis is the chief culprit here and it can put a damper on any inclination to exercise. Many Yoga poses are low impact and do not put excessive strain on the muscles and, in fact, can even be performed while sitting on a chair.
Vinyasa, Kundalini and Hatha yoga are prime examples of low-impact yoga traditions and they are ideal for new practitioners who would like to give yoga a try.
Better Flexibility and Strength
The benefits of yoga for seniors includes limb flexibility and increased muscle strength. These improved capabilities can help prevent serious falls and the possibility of broken bones.
Remaining active and fit is a down payment on improving quality of life. A healthy senior citizen can be a productive senior citizen and can be an inspiration to family and friends.
Yoga and a Healthy Mind
Better focus is another plus for yoga practitioners. Traditions like Kundalini and Hatha yoga incorporate meditation sequences as part of their repertoire. Here the practitioner focuses on 7 energy centers known as chakras that are opened or liberated with proper attentiveness.
Where to Start Yoga for Seniors
City dwellers should have no difficulty in finding a yoga teacher, group or studio close to home. You can drop in for a closer look before you begin and, in many cases, take advantage of some free introductory lessons or discounted membership fees for students. No doubt, pricing can be a factor in deciding where to begin, but its more likely that you will make a decision based on the expertise and appeal of the yoga instructor as well as the mix of potential fellow students.
For others, there is a bevy of online materials like books, DVDs and YouTube Channels to get your feet wet. These options are not a replacement for the personal attention one can receive in a live class, but you can learn and benefit a lot from your involvement.
As the recent pandemic has made obvious, online group participation can go a long way for those who cannot who are homebound or live in an isolated area. A Google or Bing search for ‘online yoga classes’ will give you several selections to evaluate according to your needs and preferences.
The Most Common Yoga Schools
- Vinyasa Yoga
- Hatha Yoga
- Ashtanga Yoga
- Power Yoga (An offshoot of Ashtanga Yoga)
- Yin Yoga
- Kundalini Yoga
- Bikram/Hot Yoga
- Iyengar Yoga
- Restorative Yoga (an offshoot of Iyengar Yoga)
Some of these yoga traditions are more difficult than others, but you can certainly go beyond the low-impact schools if you are so inclined. You can learn more about them and several others with books from Amazon and a YouTube search can provide clips of any or all of these traditions for an introduction to their practices and poses.
You might also be interested in Older Adults Who Practice Yoga are more Likely to be in Better Mental and Physical Shape.
