Yoga –The Gentlest Form of Aerobic Exercise for Seniors
Many of us are aware that regular exercise allow many health benefits, but many seniors and middle-aged folks often feel that the traditional exercises like sports, going to the gym, or jogging are far too tiring and rather impractical because of the many chronic health conditions that accompany advanced age.
As one ages the importance of an active lifestyle becomes ever more important. Regular exercise helps boost energy, manage symptoms of illness and pain, and maintain independence. Exercise is even said to reverse some of the motor related symptoms of aging. Exercise is very good for the body but even more so for the mind and spirit.
Yoga – The perfect form of exercise
Yoga is a complex system which exercises the mind, body and spirit. Many western versions of this old form of exercise focus mostly on the mind and body element, this form is the Hath Yoga. Yoga involves deep, rhythmic breathing with a stretches and postures, which are all designed to still the flow of thought and bring attention to the body. Yoga classes usually end with a short session of meditation which exercises the spirit.
It is perhaps the gentlest form of aerobic exercise but Tai chi may be on par with it. Yoga improves flexibility and balance, improve the declining bone density. Senior living communities have now taken up yoga classes for their fitness center’s programs. Yoga works by strengthening muscles, bones and joints. Yoga is amazingly helpful for seniors as it also boosts mental function, teaches a natural and sophisticated form of pain management which provides relief from stress and depression.
Yoga has also been said to make muscles more sensitive to insulin, and improve circulation. Yoga helps clear their mind and reduce stress. Yoga and relaxation are tied to lowering blood pressure and anxiety which happen to be the biggest risk factors in heart disease. According to CNN, the cost of certain Yoga programs centered on heart health can be covered by Medicare.
The many benefits of yoga
You acquire the benefits of movement
Exercise is an extremely important part of aging healthy, but rigorous cardio or strength training is not ideal for the aged members of our society. According to stress experts, regular exercise reduces the risk of death by a significant amount and it cuts the risk of chronic disease by a whole 40 percent. Yoga is an excellent low-impact exercise which is easier on the body than running or weight-lifting.
Yoga can help people integrate an exercise program into their routine without some of the downfalls that you can easily come across in different training systems. Yoga allows strength training as well because you have to carry the weight of your own body in many of the postures. But unlike regular strength training you do not add any weight and therefore you're less likely to get injured.
Increases flexibility:
The stretching of yoga poses go a long way in helping you develop flexibility, which ensures you maintain a healthy range of motion as you get older. A person’s range of motion declines as the body ages, which makes older adults prone to falls and it, causes trouble with activities that were once considered easy.
Yoga exercises parts of the body that are not exercised in any other programs except Tai Chi, maybe. One such part involves spinal flexibility. There is a saying in yoga, which goes as such 'the body is as young as the spine is flexible.' I think that saying displays the importance of keeping the spine pliable and the circulation up in the spinal cord.
Can Relieve Menopausal Discomfort:
There are certain yoga postures, which are said to help ease the many uncomfortable hormonal fluctuations of menopause. If I were to suggest such poses, I’d suggest: The Bridge, Seated Forward Bend and Plow. These poses are said to help with symptoms of menopause like hot flashes, anxiety and painful menstruation.
It promotes bone health:
Yoga practice is even safe for those with osteoporosis, and it is said to quite effective in preventing and slowing down the process of bone density loss. It does not matter whether you're looking to prevent osteoporosis or looking to relieve pain from a bone condition or fracture, gentle twisting poses and stretches will be nothing but beneficial.
Yoga helps keep the mind sharp.
The best thing about yoga is the environment you need to practice it. Taking quiet time out for yourself through a week or daily yoga practice can help relieve stress, and keep you and energized.
The bottom line is that when your body functions better you feel better.
Precautions
Be sure to have a word with your doctor before trying yoga, especially if you suffer from any chronic conditions. This is ever more important for those of you that have problems with the spinal disk or glaucoma.
I hope you found this article helpful.
Bio - Mary Brown is a freelance writer, beauty expert and editor with over 500 published articles. She's a Cosmetologist and skincare advocate @SKINUE, who shares her knowledge and passion about best acne and skin care products with a worldwide audience.
