“Your body exists in the past and your mind exists in the future. In yoga, they come together in the present” said B.K.S Lyengar, an accredited yoga instructor and author. Yoga is an centuries old exercise which challenges endurance, balance, and strength. What many often overlook, however, are the social, mental, and spiritual benefits of yoga. Here are 10 reasons why anyone should practice yoga as an older adult:
- Improve basic mobility
Over centuries of social practice, meditation has proven to offer a number of benefits including strength, balance, flexibility, back pain relief, and heart health. Especially for older adults, flexibility and strength are the first noticeable physical abilities to decline.
- Practice spirituality and mindfulness
Yoga is often referred to as a “work-in” rather than a work-out as it exercises mindfulness like meditation or spiritual practice. Holding basic poses while focusing on breathing is an easy starting point for anyone to start practicing mindfulness which can be practiced into the rest of one’s life. Yoga is a form of spiritual practice which pairs both mental and physical focus through exercises including breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures to improve flexibility, health, relaxation, and mindfulness.
- Manage stress and anxiety to improve sleep quality
One of the biggest benefits of yoga is anxiety and depression relief, if practiced correctly. Research shows that a consistent bedtime yoga routine can help you get in the right mindset and prepare your body to fall asleep and stay asleep.
- Challenge yourself
Though it may look intimidating to see some yoga professionals perform hand stands, know that yoga is like any other skill, it begins with simple basics and develops through practice. Every step is a milestone which builds off of the last. Regular practice can unlock new potential every time.
- Join a supportive community
Either with a trained instructor or with guidance from an online video tutorial, practicing yoga should always be attempted with utmost caution and patience. Due to the overwhelming learning curve, yoga classes are often extremely supportive communities encouraging anyone to start from anywhere. Joining a class either virtually or in person can connect anyone with a friendly community to alleviate loneliness.
- Introduction to alternative healing
Originating from India, Yoga is highly practiced in Eastern countries with long lifetime expectancies due to healthy lifestyle practices. Yoga can serve as a doorway to Eastern culture, philosophy, and health practices which can remedy many health difficulties related to aging. Senior health in particular often requires such mindfulness to be maintained throughout one’s golden years.
- Ease arthritis symptoms
Gentle yoga has been shown to ease some of the discomfort of tender, swollen joints for people with arthritis, according to a Johns Hopkins review of 11 recent studies.
- Improve heart health
Regular yoga practice may reduce levels of stress and body-wide inflammation, contributing to healthier hearts. Several of the factors contributing to heart disease, including high blood pressure and excess weight, can also be addressed through yoga.
- Relieve back pain
Many yoga poses target and stretch the back muscles to relieve chronic lower back paints commonly experienced in old age. The American College of Physicians recommends yoga as a first-line treatment for chronic low back pain.
Try it: Cat-Cow Pose
Source: Illustration by Mather Hospital
Get on all fours, placing your palms underneath your shoulders and your knees underneath your hips. First, inhale, as you let your stomach drop down toward the floor. Then, exhale, as you draw your navel toward your spine, arching your spine like a cat stretching.
- Boost energy and brighten mood
Regularly practiced mindfulness can balance physical and emotional health which may increase mental and physical energy, boost alertness, and promote happiness over negative thinking.
Yoga can be a holistic solution to improve anyone’s physical, mental, social, and emotional health especially in old age. Slow and steady progress can evolve the exercise into a regular practice for anyone to balance their energy for a healthier, more positive life.
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By Prithvi Chauhan
