The Benefits of Yoga for Seniors

You’ve heard it a million times before: maintaining a physical activity routine has many health benefits, and it becomes more important as we age. Regular physical activity helps improve mental and physical health, both of which will help you maintain your independence as you age. Studies show that in the aging population, exercise help to prevent disease, lower the risk of falls, improve mental health and well-being, strengthen social ties, and improve cognitive function.

One of the many activities that have proven to deliver positive results is yoga. Yoga combines two basic elements: it includes a series of postures and breathing techniques to calm the mind and body while strengthening the body at the same time. Yoga has numerous proven health benefits, including reduced stress, lower blood pressure, increased muscle strength and better memory and metabolism. Yoga extends the range of motion, improves breathing, creates a balanced body and mind, and even improves sex life.

Yoga has recently gained a lot of popularity in the west. According to a “Yoga in America” survey conducted by Yoga Journal and Yoga Alliance, as of 2016 there were approximately 36.7 million yoga practitioners in America, up from 20.4 million in 2012. That’s growth of more than 50 percent in just four years. The number of over 50’s practicing yoga has tripled over the last Four years.

Yoga myths you should stop believing

But just like it’s growing popularity, the myths surrounding this age-old tradition are also booming. Here are the three biggest myths about yoga:

1. You need to be flexible to do yoga. Nothing is further from the truth, which is actually the opposite — yoga will make you stronger and more flexible. Many yoga exercises are simple and can be done just about anywhere and by anyone.
2. Yoga is only for women. Yoga actually used to be a male-only practice. It was not until Indra Devi, the first woman to study yoga, opened her first studio in the U.S in 1947 that women started practicing too. In the past few years, everyone from NBA athletes to firefighters is turning to yoga, thanks to the health benefits it offers.
3. Yoga Is for the thin and young. Yoga comes from the word “unite”. You do not have to be thin to practice yoga — yoga is inclusive and welcoming, and it suits all body types and all ages. The vast majority of practitioners are over age 30, and 38-percent of them falling into the “50+” category.

Why Should Seniors Do Yoga?

Yoga has many health benefits of for seniors:

1. Keeps the mind sharp — Yoga practice can help relieve stress, and keep you cantered and energized. When your body functions better, you feel better and you have more energy and vitality.
2. Helps to minimize high blood pressure — While many take medication to keep their blood pressure down, practicing yoga can also help. The controlled breathing done through the various yoga poses decreases nervous system activity which in turn helps to manage blood pressure levels.
3. Strengthens bones — Yoga poses can help strengthen bones and reduce the risk of brittle bones.
4. Shed pounds — Yoga can help to burn fat and build muscle at any age. Keeping weight off can help to avoid diabetes and other health problems.
5. Improve balance — As we get older, maintaining balance can become an issue. Yoga helps people to improve and maintain balance through a variety of poses.
6. Reduces Stress & Improves Mood — Yoga helps to reduce stress through the mindful breathing and meditation it offers. Yoga also causes your brain to release mood-altering chemicals that can make you feel good and ward off feelings of depression.
7. Relieve Menopausal Discomfort — Certain yoga postures can help ease the hormonal fluctuations of menopause. It helps to relieve uncomfortable symptoms of menopause, from hot flashes to anxiety to painful menstruation.

Where Can You Find Online Yoga for Seniors?

As gyms and studios are not an option at the moment, you can practice yoga from the comfort and privacy of your home.

There are many videos on YouTube that offer yoga for senior or chair yoga, and many of those include explanations of the yoga poses. However, the down side of yoga videos is that they do not provide personal feedback, and it can be difficult to find the right videos that suit your needs.

Chair Yoga — Yoga For Seniors | Yoga With Adriene

With the advancements in technology, new solutions are constantly created and make our lives easier and more comfortable. Recent studies show that taking online live video classes provides comparable satisfaction and health improvements to in-person yoga.

At FitMyTime we are doing exactly that –offering online, live, 1 on 1 fitness and yoga classes — with real trainers, in real time. The purpose of the platform is to enable people to exercise with a personal instructor from the comfort of their home — anywhere, anytime.

FitMyTime’s certified trainers offer classes in several languages, including English, French, Hebrew, German, Spanish, Italian and more. Our trainers offer yoga, Pilates, meditation, prenatal, postnatal, cardio and body-weight workout. There are trainers who specialize in working with cancer survivors, people who suffer from PTSD, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, and depression.

Several instructors specialize in accessible yoga and yoga for seniors, like Sally Urdang from Texas, who says that ”All of my clients are over the age of 60. We focus mostly on functional mobility, posture, gait and balance. I have two clients that are 86 years of age. Not all clients hire me for Yoga, I am also a personal trainer but focus on a client population of 60 years of age and above”.

Before starting any exercise program, including yoga, it’s best to check with your doctor to make sure it is right for you.