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/