You’ve probably heard celebrities swear by yoga and maybe you’ve watched the new moms and thirty-somethings holding convoluted poses in the gym. Yoga can seem to be a young person’s sport. However, there are several kinds of yoga which are perfectly suitable for seniors and in even highly beneficial.
Seniors have to contend with an older body even if the mind remains sharp. Elders are more susceptible to problems like arthritis, joint pain, inflammation and breathing problems. As a result, it can seem difficult to stay healthy and active. Yoga is a great answer. Many styles of yoga are gentle and focus on deep breathing, meditation and restorative poses to alleviate pain and increase flexibility.
Some Great Poses for Senior yogis include:
-Easy pose, the traditional cross-legged seated pose.
-Dog Pose, which helps to straighten out the spine
-Locust pose which strengthens the lower back and abdominal muscles.
There are also some daily yoga exercises you can do in your own home if the weather is just too foul or you will have trouble reaching a class. These are often done with the assistance of a chair or a wall and can help strengthen and tone key parts of the body as well as improve posture.
Naturally, you will need to speak to your doctor and modify your yoga workout to reflect anything which must be avoided. For example, if you have high blood pressure, you may not be able to keep your arms lifted high for very long in a yoga pose without risking damage to yourself. But, for every one pose you can’t do, there will be two you can do. Every body is different. Not all poses are good for everyone.
If you want to improve your posture, abdominal strength, arm strength, endurance, flexibility, and join a great community, senior’s yoga may be just the thing for you. You will see the results in every part of your life and can enjoy yourself longer.
Here at Root, we have nothing but respect for our elders and want to see them perform their best all the time. That’s why we offer weekly yoga classes and we’d love to see you there. If you’re new to yoga try a Yin, Restorative or Hatha class. Don’t hesitate to call us with questions. We love to answer them.
Photo By: Muffet