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Yoga Benefits for Seniors

Yoga Benefits for Seniors


Read the Yoga Benefits for Seniors article before you start yoga exercises! Yoga is a 5,000-year-old tradition of self-healing and self-realization that incorporates postures, known as asanas, and pranayama (breathing) that enhances health through balance, breath control, concentration, flexibility, physical strength, mental focus and clarity.

Benefits for Old People here !

Alleviate aches and pains

Even if you have some physical limitations, yoga can help ease the aches and pains associated with aging. Yoga can be especially beneficial to those suffering from osteoarthritis, teaching you how to breathe and relax through any chronic pain you may be dealing with.

Reduced stress

Yoga offers a relaxing way to let go of the tension you’re holding in your body, especially in your shoulders and upper back. It’s been known to help relieve some of the stresses that lead to hypertension, which in turn leads to not needing as many medications on a daily basis. Yoga also helps reduce anxiety, lowering your heart rate, blood pressure, and helping you breathe easier.

High blood pressure, heart conditions

Ensure that breathing is easy and continuous during strong poses and that the breath is not held. Holding the breath can cause spikes in blood pressure.
Do not hold breath during pranayama practices (ie breathing techniques). Keep arm movements low, not raising hands above the crown of the head.
Keep head above or level with the heart, for example, in poses like forwarding bends or partial inversions.

Control hormone, cortisol

Reduces the physical effects of stress on the body by encouraging relaxation and lowering the levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. Related benefits include lowering blood pressure and heart rate, improving digestion and boosting the immune system, as well as easing symptoms of conditions such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, asthma and insomnia.

Enhanced balance, flexibility, mobility and strength

The slow, measured movements involved with yoga poses can lead to better balance and movement, which can also help prevent falls. As falls are the leading cause of injury among seniors, yoga helps provide the tools you need to improve your mobility so you can get around more safely.

Strengthened bones

Yoga for seniors can help prevent the onset of osteoporosis, which causes bones to become brittle or weak. Osteoporosis occurs when the creation of new bone can’t keep up with the decrease of bone mass and density that occurs with aging.

Improved sleeping habits

Because yoga for seniors can be so relaxing, many individuals report that they are sleeping longer and more soundly, which can often be an issue for older adults.

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