Today’s seniors are more active than ever. Sometimes, however, diseases common among seniors, like arthritis, can reduce the desire and ability to remain active. One way to stay limber and keep ourselves fit is through simple exercise like walking and one type of exercise that some may not be experienced in – Yoga.
Yoga originated in ancient India as a practice designed to connect the body, soul, and mind. While it has religious roots in Buddhism and Hinduism, Yoga has become a mainstream way to also stay limber, fit, and strong. Some believe that the practice of yoga also reduces stress and the effects of stress on the body.
If you go to a yoga class or read a normal book on Yoga, it may be intimidating. You may think you could never get yourself into a pretzel like the guy on the cover. But, the wonderful thing about Yoga is that you don’t need to do the exercises perfectly to obtain the benefits.
There are excellent Yoga videos for seniors on the market. And you can download for free some chair exercises to try at home.
While you should always check with a doctor first, such modified Yoga programs, if practiced on a regular basis, could improve range of motion for joints and reduce musculoskeletal pain.
Among health benefits listed here by an RN, you can expect to see some of the following main results:
- Flexibility
- Strength
- Fuller Breathing
- Improved Circulation
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