Yoga is the perfect choice for
senior fitness! Yoga may be popular with younger people today,
but that doesnt mean its not a great workout for seniors. Its
low impact workout that doesnt put excess stress on vulnerable
bodies. It makes you feel better mentally and physically while
it improves your health. Plus, there are poses for beginners,
experts, and everyone in between; so youll never get bored.
Here are just a few of the reasons yoga is a great workout for
people of all ages, especially seniors.
You can actually help prevent injury by practicing yoga. Once of
the main focuses of yoga is maintaining balance. By staying
balanced in a pose, you help develop the muscles that keep you
balanced when youre walking in the hall, sitting in a chair, or
getting in and out of bed. By developing these muscle groups,
youre less likely to sustain and injury in everyday life.
Along with preventing injury, yoga can make life easier whether
youve had an injury in the past or not. Yoga helps increase
your stamina and flexibility. Not only will you be able to move
better and do things more efficiently, youll also have the
energy to remain active longer each day. Imagine how much yoga
could improve your quality of life.
One problem many seniors suffer from is depression. Whatever the
cause, its very easy to get into a funk and feel distraught or
just down about life. Yoga can help ease some of those symptoms.
Yoga tries to encompass physical and mental health aspects at
the same time. Deep breathing helps you relax while the poses
and movements help stretch and relax all the muscles in your
body. This leaves you feeling rested with a more positive
outlook on life.
So, youre probably thinking these benefits sound great, but
theres no way I can do all those crazy poses. Well, thats why
chair yoga was invented. Instead of doing poses on a yoga mat,
you use a normal everyday chair. By using a chair, you dont
have to get on the ground, and youre provided with extra safety
and support while holding and changing between poses. You can
research online or even find books and videos that will teach
you simple, but effective poses that are safe for many older
people.
As with any exercise program, you should talk you your doctor
before starting a yoga routine. They can medically clear you and
also recommend specific types of exercises or steer you away
from specific movements that might not be suitable for your
body.
So what are you waiting for? Get started towards a healthier
life today with yoga.