The Benefits of Yoga

If the idea of yoga for seniors sounds a little too “crunchy granola” for you, it is time to rethink that idea. Yoga, especially restorative yoga, can also offer a wide array of health benefits—working physical and psychological wonders. Seniors, who often struggle with pain, joint stress, imbalance, osteoarthritis, and other physical limitations, can benefit from incorporating a yoga practice into their daily routine. In other words, yoga – in whatever form is appropriate for your goals, offers a myriad of health benefits ranging from increased mobility and strength to peace of mind. Let’s explore some of these benefits.

Yoga Improves Balance and Stability

As we age, our bodies change. Things that we were once able to do with relative ease become a little more challenging. Balance and stability? – in other words, risks for falls and tripping become a little more top of mind as we continue to climb ladders, hop over mud puddles and reach out to grab a falling object without falling ourselves. Yoga improves core strength while helping us connect mindful movement to deliberate action.

Yoga Improves Joint Flexibility

Tightening hamstrings, a sore back, and a “widow’s hump” is not necessarily in your future. If you’re looking for a gentle exercise that increases flexibility and improves posture, yoga is a great option. Flexibility exercises such as yoga are great if your joints tend to be achy or stiff. In a study that looked at the effectiveness of yoga as an exercise to manage osteoarthritis in elderly women, researchers found that it provided therapeutic benefits.

Read More: Benefits of Yoga