Maintaining Physical And Mental Health With Yoga For Seniors
Yoga is amongst the most popular movement-based activities that one knows about. However, most are not yet aware of its myriad mental, emotional, and spiritual implications. If you have attended any yoga classes, then it must have been some poses and a few breathing exercises. That is what most schools will teach. You can opt for yoga teacher training in India, to know about authentic yoga practices.
Secondly, anyone can practice yoga. Age, religion, or gender are not any of the factors that impact yogic practices. Anyone can do yoga. If you are above sixty years of age, then you can also give it a try. As one ages, mental illnesses like Dementia and Depression set in. Additionally, Osteoporosis is one of the illnesses which affect individuals, as age progresses. If you join one of the renowned yoga schools like Shree Hari Yoga School, then you can get to know the myriad benefits that yoga offers.
Let us delve into the physical and mental health benefits that yoga offers.
Physical Health Benefits That Yoga Offers
Everybody will age with time, and this is unstoppable. However, you can effectively manage the times and circumstances, if you indulge in the right health modalities.
- Bone health is the worst affected as people age. The reason is that the bone density starts decreasing, as you age. Bone loss is also quite common. Yoga can help you in such a situation, in more ways than one. You can engage in a few weight-bearing exercises, to increase bone density and strength. You will also develop body awareness. The yoga poses that can help in managing conditions such as Osteoporosis and Osteopenia are Extended Side Angle pose and Warrior pose. Take things slowly, when you are old.
- Arthritis also affects one, as age progresses. You may feel intense pain in the wrists, knees, or elbows. This can limit your movements and range of motion. You may also hear creaking sounds, as you move your body parts. Yoga can help you in increasing joint flexibility. Furthermore, yoga is known to reduce inflammation as well. When you engage in yoga practice, the blood circulation inside the body increases. Thus, facilitating the flow of impurities from one part to another. In the case of Reactive Arthritis or Gout, inflammation sets in, as a result of the congregation of too much protein. This causes pain. If you practice yoga, then you can do better.
- Back pain is another health issue that most seniors face. If you engage in yoga backbends and forward folds, you can reduce the same to a huge extent. If you can build muscles in your back, abdomen, hips and legs, the spine is supported in a better manner. Some of the best yoga asanas that can strengthen the aforementioned areas are Bhujangasana or Cobra pose, Uttanasana or forward fold, and Chakra asana. However, you should ensure to do the latter under the trained teachers. Shree Hari Yoga School is one of the top schools, where you will get the best guidance.
- As one age, ligament tears become a common occurrence. The reason being stressed and over-used joints. The same affects the regions around the knees, shoulders, hips, and ankles. If you face a tear, you may have to opt for surgery. The other way out is regular yoga practice. Yoga mainly helps in strengthening the muscles around the joints.
Mental Health Benefits Of Yoga For Seniors
- Yoga mainly acts as a mood enhancer for seniors. Movements, Pranayama, and meditation are some of the practices which seniors should engage in. You will be indulging in yoga sessions in groups, so you get to socialize as well. Meet yoga learners from other countries and open your mind to the avenues that life has. The more you interact with others, the better it is for your mental health.
- Yoga also reduces anxiety and stress. There are various forms of yoga, like restorative yoga. You can engage in the same to get the maximum mental benefits. Your sympathetic nervous system is the one that is positively affected, as a result of yoga. Yoga is relaxing and calming in nature. Slow and breath-based movements help in releasing the by-products of stress and nervous tension.
- Regular yoga practice will make you more mindful. It is about being present in the current times. If you are mindful, you will be able to develop more awareness about your feelings. You can connect with yourself through breathing practices, asanas, and meditative activities. Mindfulness meditation is one of the practices, which will help you to become more aware of your present.
- Research has shown that yoga practice can also maintain your brain function and cognitive skills, when you are old. Yoga strengthens the part of the brain, which is most responsible for memory maintenance, thought processing, and language processing.
However, you must take guidance from the best instructors of yoga. There are ample schools to choose from. However, you need to check the registration and certification of the schools, before enrolling.
Which Yoga Form Helps?
Joining a yoga course can help you to build your skills. Yoga for seniors is especially designed, keeping the above benefits in mind. Shree Hari Yoga School is one of the top, registered yoga schools, with branches all over India and abroad. Study a wide range of yoga forms, like Hatha yoga, Ashtanga-Vinyasa yoga, Yin yoga, Therapeutic yoga, and few more.
The above yoga forms have different effects on the human body and mind. The best Yoga Alliance certified teachers will assist you to develop body awareness. So, that you can make the most of the yoga practices. There are specific yoga forms designed to serve various purposes. Seniors must ensure to join a course, which is more therapeutic and relaxing. Yin yoga can help you to reach the deep tissues of the body. As you develop physical strength, you can engage in mind-oriented activities.
