As the golden years pass, it becomes more crucial to keep up a healthy and active lifestyle for seniors. The high-intensity workouts can be difficult to perform. Therefore, an ancient practice, yoga, comes up as a gentle way for seniors to stay active. Yoga for seniors not only boosts physical fitness but also mental health.
Are you a senior looking for a safe and effective opportunity to stay active?
Would you love to have a peaceful sleep and active lifestyle?
If so, then this article is for you! Read on to find out more about yoga, its tips, and the health-related benefits of maintaining an active lifestyle.
Gentle Yoga for Seniors
Gentle yoga is a non-strenuous and restorative form of yoga that is specifically performed by seniors. It is a less intense and modified form of yoga. It involves practicing mindful breathing, slow movements, balance, relaxation, and warm-up exercises. Gentle yoga for seniors prioritizes activeness and health while focusing on safety and comfort.
Some of the main features of gentle yoga for seniors are:
- Less Intense Poses
- Non-Strenuous
- Yoga Poses for Longer Times
- Restorative
- Focus on Breathing
If you’re interested in trying effective yoga for seniors then it is better to take advice from the best general physician before taking any step.
Health Benefits of Gentle Yoga For Seniors
Improved Mobility and Flexibility
Seniors frequently feel stiffness and pain in their muscles and joints which cause movement and motion problems. Regular yoga involves gentle stretching of muscles which aids in alleviating the hardness and stiffness of the muscles. Therefore, it can help you maintain better mobility and flexibility.
Better Stability and Balance
One of the major declines in aging is losing stability and balance. In this aspect, gentle yoga poses can help seniors in focusing on their coordination and balance. It aids in the development of muscle strength. It will lower the chances of falls and other injuries.
Stress Reduction
Yoga is not only beneficial for physical health but also emphasizes mental health. It serves as a relaxing way to let go of tension and stress. It has been known to relieve stresses like hypertension which otherwise would lead to medications daily.
Seniors who practice gentle yoga with a combination of less intense poses and mindful breathing tend to be more peaceful. Moreover, it also lowers the heart rate and reduces anxiety and blood pressure.
Better and Peaceful Sleep
In older age, many people struggle with sleeping. This results in numerous other health issues. To overcome sleeping issues and have a peaceful sleep, you can practice yoga. It has been noted that those who exercise gentle yoga or do minor stretches before sleeping sleep better.
Therefore, it is important to practice some gentle and simple stretches and breathing exercises before bedtime. It will help you to focus on your sleeping pattern as well as improve the quality of your health and sleep.
Mindfulness
Yoga is both a mood and an energy enhancer. Seniors mostly catch dementia or move to nursing homes in the midst. This all can be neglected by just practicing yoga every day. Incorporating yoga practices into your daily routine can help you in creating a sense of well-being.
In addition to this, in yoga sessions, participants are taught to become aware of their emotions and thoughts. This allows them to stay engaged with their surroundings.
Alleviate Pains and Aches
The aging process can be hard on joints and muscles. Arthritis, osteoporosis, and other age-related diseases can cause discomfort and aches in joints and muscles. Henceforth, practicing gentle yoga for seniors helps to strengthen the muscles and joints. It gives a low-impact way to alleviate stress, pain, and inflammation in people of all ages.
Tips For Seniors Starting Yoga
Before engaging in any physical activity, it is important to consult a healthcare professional. Here are some tips for the seniors who want to practice gentle yoga:
Consult a Healthcare Professional
If you are a senior with a pre-existing condition, ask your doctor before beginning yoga. Healthcare professionals can give you personalized advice as per your condition. They can ensure that whether yoga is safe for you or not.
Select Senior-Friendly Yoga Class
Always select the yoga class that is specifically designed for seniors. Many yoga studios, online platforms, or community centers offer senior-friendly gentle yoga classes.
It is best to attend an in-person yoga session so that you may receive specific guidance from your instructor. To avoid any mishap or injury, make sure that you’re performing the poses correctly. Mostly, these classes focus on gentle moves, breathing exercises, and non-strenuous poses.
Take a Slow Start and Listen To Your Body
You need to set realistic goals for yourself. Prepare your mind and body and take a slow start. In the aging process, the body speaks with creaks and cracks. Therefore, it is important to listen to your body and not push your body beyond its limits.
Equip Props for Support & Alignment
To have additional support, you can take in yoga props including straps, blankets, blocks, etc., with you. Props can help in maintaining perfect alignment, enhance comfort during practice, and reduce strain on joints.
Stay Consistent
Just like the other forms of exercise, yoga shows its results if it is practiced consistently. Yoga is an exercise for seniors that allows them to build flexibility, and strength, and maintain mental health. To achieve all this, you’ve to stay consistent and committed to your practice.
Summing Up
Senior yoga or Gentle yoga for seniors is an effective and powerful way to keep yourself mentally and physically active while you’re getting old. It has a range of benefits mentioned above. Therefore, whether you’re a seasoned yoga practitioner or new to yoga, it is never too late to start.
If you want to practice yoga, you should first speak with a top general physician. Healthcare professionals can advise you on the suitability of effective yoga.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Gentle Yoga Good For Beginners?
Yes, it is beneficial for beginners because it consists of simple poses and breathing exercises. In this type of yoga, the poses are usually held for 5 minutes. You can also use cushions or pillows for your alignment and comfort.
What Type of Yoga is Best For Seniors?
For seniors, chair yoga is considered the best. It is best for the people who cannot stand for longer periods of time and cannot perform intense poses on floor. You can perform all yoga poses while being seated.
Is Yoga Good For 70 Year Old?
Absolutely! It slows down the aging process and improves mental and physical health. But before starting yoga, it is better to consult your doctor.
Should Seniors Do Yoga Every Day?
The frequency depends on the person’s health and stamina. However, seniors should be consistent in practicing yoga. Moreover, in this regard, it is better to consult your healthcare provider.
Disclosure – This is a sponsored post and the views expressed are of the sponsor/author/third party and not of Healthieyoo’s editorial team. We disclaim any and all liability to any party, company, or product for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental, or consequential damages arising either directly or indirectly due to the use of content published in this article. The publishers of this website take no responsibility for any health issues, personal injury, death, disability, or any other harm due to the content on our website or any advice or opinion expressed on our website. Please consult your healthcare professional before making any decision related to your health. Please also read our medical disclaimer”.
Related Posts
Healthy Aging Month 2022: You Are The “Driver” Of Your Health And Wellness
Yoga & Hypertension – Anuloma Viloma Pranayama Yoga to Lower Blood Pressure
Geriatric Nutrition – The Science of Nutrition for the Elderly
