Golden Yoga for the Golden Years

Getting old is definite part of our life cycle and sooner or later; all of us will pass through this stage. There is no miracle product that can override this fact and the best thing to do then is embrace all the changes that we may experience from aging with readiness and acceptance.  The reason they call it the golden ages is because this is when we have more time for yourself, your family, for leisure, recreation and relaxation.  This is also a time when our bodies are becoming frail and sensitive resulting in the advice from family and well meaning friends is to “take it easy,” when evidence suggests that they should do just the opposite.   A study by researchers at Oregon Health and Science University found that after six months of yoga, people ages 65 to 85 could stand longer on one leg and gained flexibility as well as significant improvement in quality of life measure. 

Beginners seniors yoga is done sitting in a chair and is fun, rejuvenating and stress releasing. It is also cost efficient as  hospital treatments, prescription drugs and other matters that come with the aging process can be avoided through practicing yoga.  Yoga aims to quiet the mind as we exercise the body, we become more flexible, stronger alongside being more synchronized with our inner workings promoting calmness and opportunity for reflection and meditation or prayer.  This is why there is no reason to push the body to keep up with the rest of the class as this is an individual journey.  When a student is tired, they advised to rest; When a student feels limited with certain posses, the teacher is able to modify the pose to meet the needs of the student…therefore there is no pressure during participation.

Staying fit and healthy with Yoga has great benefits including alleviating painful joint movement and arthritis discomfort, rheumatism, incontinence, high blood pressure and cholesterol, osteoporosis,  back pain and rounded spines, poor circulation and digestion, weakness and frailty, fickle sleep or sleeplessness, depression, cognitive ability,  anxiety and stress.  We all deserve health, no matter what age we are.. .You are never too old to start a yoga practice just ask seniors in Ontario, New York or  California!