Yoga can improve the lives of people of all ages in a variety of ways, including reducing stress, anxiety and depression, improving performance at work and in sport, reducing risk of heart condition, obesity, diabetes and cancer and speeding up recovery from training. Yoga makes us feel good all-around, improving our sense of well-being and making us feel lighter, more connected to ourselves and appreciative of the important relationships in our lives.
Benefits of Yoga For Seniors
Many of these benefits are no different for seniors (55+). As we get older, muscles tend to stiffen, our joints lose their range of motion and we become more susceptible to chronic problems such as osteoporosis, arthritis and heart disease. Yoga can help slow down the effects of the ageing process by maintaining muscle softness and flexibility, keeping the mind alert and awake, encouraging relaxation and strengthening muscles and joints. Its multi-pronged approach can encourage the body, mind and spirit to remain healthy and strong while reducing the effects of many age-related issues.
If you are a senior, regular yoga practice (2-3 times/week) can play an important part in keeping you healthy, because yoga helps:
- Reduce swelling in joints
- Increase joint mobility and strength
- Improve balance and stability
- Reduce chances of having a fall
- Improve cardiovascular health
- Aid digestion and elimination
- Improve sleep
- Lower blood pressure and cholesterol
- Improve blood flow
- Improve mood and well-being
- Recovery from surgery
- Aid in the grieving process
- With depression and anxiety
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Yoga for the seasoned student consists primarily of chair yoga. Mature students are able to get the full experience of a yoga class, without the challenges of a mat practice.
Ginger’s chair classes combine physical movements to loosen joints, stretch and strengthen muscles; bio-energetic stimulation for brain functioning; and sound vibration therapy for endocrine health and vitality. There is a strong emphasis on breathing exercises to strengthen lung capacity and increase clarity of mind.