AGE WELL: Twists and turns--The benefits of yoga for older adults and seniors

Physical fitness for older adults is incredibly important to maintain an independent and healthy life. But for many older adults, the thought of pumping iron or pounding the pavement every day seems overwhelming and....painful. Such high-impact activities can cause injury and speed up wear and tear on joints and bones.

And though doing laundry is considered exercise, it probably doesn’t get you excited and eager to jump in. Perhaps you should think about yoga.

I tried yoga many times and at different points in my life. I never got it. I thought I was the only person who wasn’t into yoga.
But after many years, I was coerced into trying it again by a beloved colleague. Much to my amazement, I actually liked it. I guess sometimes it takes a while to learn to like things.

I learned to like yoga after 20 years of trying. And the more I do it, the more I understand and appreciate the health benefits.
There are so many benefits to practising yoga. I discover new things the more I practise. However, for older adults and seniors, it seems the benefits are nearly endless.  

Older participants have reported improvements in some common ailments such as arthritis, hypertension and osteoporosis. The very definition of yoga means “union,” and this refers to the union of mind and body – something we all need more of.

Benefits for the mind
• Regular practise of yoga improves mood and reduces anxiety. Yoga releases endorphins into the body – the feel good biochemical. This promotes a sense of well-being, happiness and alleviates pain.
• Yoga promotes more peaceful, restful sleep through greater relaxation and increasing oxygen into the body through breathing exercises.
• Yoga alleviates depression resulting from stress and chronic pain such as arthritis.
• Yoga involves a meditative component that enhances self awareness and helps participants manifest positive energy.

Benefits for the body
• Stretching and practising proper body alignment improves posture, flexibility, endurance and balance. This can in turn, reduce the risk of falls in older adults.
• Breathing exercises can help control blood pressure. Controlled breathing promotes relaxation and creates an almost meditative state, which reduces stress and has a positive impact on maintaining blood pressure.
• Using your own body weight and maintaining poses strengthens bones and tones muscles.
No matter what your age, yoga offers something for everyone. It balances mind and body that promotes greater self awareness, inner peace and physical fitness.

Part 2 - What else you need to know

Originally published by InsideToronto.com October 11, 2012
http://www.zuza.com/blogs/post/1311691-age-well-twists-and-turns-the-benefits-of-yoga-for-older-adults-and-seniors/

Age Well: Online community created to talk about what you don't want to talk about..Aging

Are you afraid of getting older? Or are you prepared for what life will bring you?
No matter you’re your answer is, you’ll find others who feel the same way. There’s a great new online community initiative called GettingOld.com that wants to hear about how you feel about aging.

It was started by drug manufacturer, Pfizer (yes, that’s right, the makers of Viagra).

The site features a questionnaire asking readers how they feel about getting older. There are four options to choose from: optimistic; angry; prepared; and uneasy. You can click on whichever one suits you and you have an opportunity to share your personal story.

Along with your testimonial, you can also add a video or photo and comment on other posts or share posts through Facebook and Twitter.

Something in common
As humans, we share one common trait. As Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall, Pfizer’s chief medical officer states, “We all have one thing in common - each day we get older. At every age and stage of our lives, we can make choices and take actions that will help us live longer and better. There are so many positive role models today who are changing how people think about aging.”

The gettingold.com site is unique in another way. The site equally validates the positive and the negative aspects of aging.
Aging may not be all rosy and silver linings; however, it’s not the end of the world either. We’re able to get a multifaceted perspective from people of all ages and with varying degrees of attitudes.

The good, the bad and the ugly
But the site is special in another way. It seeks to create a dialogue on an unappealing topic. If we’re to remove the fear and anxiety and associated with aging, we need to talk openly about it – the good the bad and the ugly aspects of aging – so we can greet it head on.

Aging is a natural progression and no matter how we fight it and hide from it, it will always be with us.
Let’s the get conversation moving so we can begin to change our attitudes toward aging. We can’t be afraid of aging anymore.

Check out www.gettingolder.com and share your story.

Originally published by InsideToronto.com September 27, 2012 at http://www.zuza.com/blogs/post/1310766-age-well-online-community-created-to-talk-about-what-you-don-t-want-to-talk-about-aging/