Benefits of Yoga for Seniors
Yoga is an increasingly popular form of mental and physical exercise among adults in the United States. It’s believed more than 34 million Americans practice yoga, which has been steadily increasing since 2010. But yoga is not just for the physically elite or fitness-inspired individuals. Yoga is an excellent physical and mental activity for all ages, especially seniors, thanks to its long list of potential health benefits.
What is yoga?
Yoga is an ancient Indian practice of the body and mind. It’s primarily centered around physical poses, concentration, and learning how to connect movements to your breath. There are various types of yoga, and in recent years, it has become a popular form of exercise in the United States among all age groups.
Why practice yoga?
While the ancient practice of yoga was more of spiritual practice, modern yoga attracts many individuals because of its physical benefits, such as improved flexibility, mobility, and balance.
Improved strength
Yoga involves a lot of slow movements and encourages you to play with your body weight during poses, helping you strengthen and tone muscles throughout the body. Some yoga sessions may also include dumbbells or other free weights to push the body further for those who want an additional workout.
Building strong muscles is not about having the ability to lift heavier objects, although being able to lift and move things around the house is a bonus. Keeping your muscles strong can reduce the bone and muscle loss rate that comes with aging.
Better balance and stability
Nearly one in four seniors will fall each year, and one out of every five of those falls will result in an injury like a broken bone or concussion. Many aspects of yoga encourage balance and stability, two essential qualities for reducing falls in seniors. Having a solid sense of balance helps you remain on your feet. It can also reduce the recovery time and the ability to get up if a fall occurs.
Easier mobility
One of the most common concerns for seniors as they age is their loss of mobility. It becomes harder to move freely, and some older adults rely on scooters, walkers, or wheelchairs to move around safely. Regularly practicing yoga improves flexibility and range of motion, making moving your body more manageable and comfortable.
Pain relief
The muscles and joints change with aging causing pain and discomfort. Yoga involves many slow movements allowing you to stretch and build flexibility which can alleviate aches and pains. Learning yoga also gives you the knowledge of body movements and positions that can help relieve aches throughout the day, so you don’t have to wait until you’re on your mat to stretch your muscles.
Reduces blood pressure
Many seniors live with high blood pressure, increasing the risk for heart disease, kidney disease, and other health conditions. Studies found that seniors who participate in yoga tend to have lower blood pressure. It’s believed yoga can lower blood pressure by reducing oxidative stress, which is an underlying cause of high blood pressure in seniors.
How Visiting Angels can help
We might not be expert yogis at Visiting Angels, but our professional caregivers love helping seniors find new ways to improve their bodies and minds. Through our companion care services, we can help you use the internet to find local yoga studios, provide transportation to and from class, and some caregivers might even practice a few poses with you at home.
Beyond encouraging health and wellness in our clients, our professional caregivers assist seniors with nonmedical tasks like light housekeeping, meal preparations, medication reminders, personal grooming, mobility, and more. Our Gadsden office serves those in Blount, Marshall, and Etowah counties. If you live in the area and want more information about our at-home care services, send us a message or call 256-507-0083.