Essential Tips For Starting Yoga As A Senior

Physical activity is an essential part of living a healthy life. It does not only improve a person’s longevity, but also has numerous benefits for the overall well-being of the human body – not only physical, but also psychological.

Unfortunately, as the body grows older, it also becomes much harder to participate in physical activities – especially when diseases like arthritis start to flare up. This, however, does not mean senior citizens does not have any options when it comes to participating in physical exercises that will help them keep their bodies fit and working, while also supporting their overall health and reducing their risk of developing diseases and health concerns that may lead to further complications in their lives.

Participating in cardio and strength training exercises might seem a little daunting for a senior citizen. Therefore, it is often recommended that a senior consider participating in frequent yoga exercises to help them gain some level of physical activity, while also enjoying the benefits that yoga has for them. While there are some yoga poses that are very challenging, a series of beginning yoga poses for seniors have been developed to help older individuals enjoy yoga without pushing their bodies to extreme limits.

The Benefits Of Yoga For Seniors

We would like to introduce you to some of the best yoga poses for seniors, but we should first start out by taking a quick look at the benefits that you can obtain from practicing yoga frequently as a senior. One of the most significant benefits that yoga has for senior participants is the fact that it does count as a form of physical exercise – yoga increases the consumption of VO2 and it improves both flexibility and strength and the same time. A particular benefit that yoga has over many other forms of exercise is the fact that it also offers benefits for the spirit and mental health of the participant.

Apart from these benefits, yoga can also help to reduce inflammation in the joints and, at the same time, help to increase mobility of joints. This is beneficial for seniors experiencing symptoms of arthritis. Cardiovascular health can also be improved through yoga participation, as well as digestion, sleep and blood flow. In addition to these benefits, seniors who attend yoga classes also tend to feel better emotionally and experience a reduction in anxiety and depression symptoms.

Yoga Poses For Seniors

Now that we have discussed the many benefits that yoga has for seniors, let’s take a look at some essential poses that seniors should consider if they are only starting out. According to Do You Yoga, the following seven poses are the perfect combination of yoga strategies that seniors should practice when they are in the beginning stages. These poses will not put too much strain on a senior’s body, but it will still offer them a great deal of benefits.

· The Mountain Pose, which assists with balance.

· The Tree Pose, which improves abdominal and leg strength.

· The Bird Pose, which is an excellent pose for improving abdominal strength and for back support.

· The Downward Facing Dog Pose, which is perfect for supporting joint health and for improving overall body strength. This yoga pose is also excellent for increasing flexibility.

· The Sphinx, which helps to improve upper back strength.

· The Cobbler’s Pose, which helps to keep the hips open and relaxed.

· The Savasana Pose, which is the perfect way to finish an intense yoga session. This pose allows for relaxation and resets the individual’s nervous system.

Tips For Seniors Trying Yoga For The First Time

As an older person, you start to learn that things aren’t always as easy as they seem. This term comes into play with yoga as well. While reading about yoga and seeing other people practice this form of exercise might make it seem relatively easy, it can be somewhat more difficult to actually practice yoga in person. If you are a senior trying yoga for the first time, then be sure to take the following tips into account when you get started:

· You know your body better than anyone else, which means you know your limits. If you feel that you’ve had enough, then stop. Never overdo it or you may end up hurting yourself rather than enjoying the benefits that yoga is able to offer you.

· If you are finding it difficult to practice yoga at home, try to find a trainer that specializes in yoga. They will have the most appropriate poses for you to try out and will help you master yoga without overdoing it.

· Always stay hydrated at all times while practicing yoga. Remember that yoga is still exercise and you need to keep your body hydrated during your sessions.

· Avoid eating before you start practicing yoga or wait at least about 30 minutes after you have consumed food before you start a session. This will help to prevent feeling light-headed or sick while participating in a yoga session.

Conclusion

Yoga is an excellent way for seniors to obtain an adequate level of physical activity on a weekly basis without having to put their body through a tremendous amount of strain. This form of exercise has numerous benefits for the elderly as well and can even help to improve their mental wellbeing. If you are an elder person and considering this form of exercise, be sure to start with some beginning yoga poses for seniors to ensure you do not overdo it, but still gain access to the benefits of yoga.

References:

https://www.doyogawithme.com/content/yoga-seniors

https://greatist.com/fitness/does-yoga-count-exercise

https://www.doyouyoga.com/7-yoga-poses-for-seniors-49052/

http://www.spiritvoyage.com/blog/index.php/5-tips-to-practice-yoga-for-seniors/

This is a guest blog entry.