Seniors Benefit From Yoga

Aging well is of growing interest to our society as the older population continues to expand. Instead of becoming sedentary in old age, retirement is the perfect opportunity to pursue healthy new interests such as a yoga practice. Yoga is gaining popularity among seniors with adaptable classes.

Yoga has been shown to increase muscle tone, strength and balance while also improving mood and sleep. Yoga poses that increase balance my help prevent falls, so commonly the cause of injury in older adults. The practice also increases flexibility and may lessen joint deterioration.

A small study from 2009, published in Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation, found that patients with osteoporosis who did 10 minutes of yoga daily, gained bone mass in the spine and hip. Yoga has also been shown to increase walking speed, improve reaches and reduce spine curvature (hyperkyphosis or dowager’s hump).

There are specialty classes for people with arthritis and many senior centres, retirement communities and health clubs offer a modified practice including seated yoga for seniors and water yoga.

To reduce the risk of injury, begin with a gentle hatha practice if a specialty class is not available in your area. The use of props such as foam blocks may assist older students. Consult a doctor before beginning any new activity, especially if you have a spinal disk problem or glaucoma, some of the twisting and inverting poses may not be recommended.

For more information about Seniors Yoga instruction or Yoga Therapy, visit www.seniorsyogacanada.com .