Gary Potter
What is yoga? Yoga is a form of exercise and movement that combines: gentle physical positions and movements, stretching and flexibility, balance and body control, and relaxation and mindfulness.
Gentle yoga can be an excellent starting point for seniors who haven’t had much fitness in their lives. In fact, yoga is one of the activities the National Institute on Aging (NIA) specifically identifies as useful for older adults because it can combine balance, flexibility, and some muscle strengthening.
Why Yoga Can Be Particularly Good for Seniors
If someone has been mostly inactive, the goal at first isn’t to “get fit.” It’s to teach the body to move again comfortably and safely. It’s beneficial for men and women! Yoga can help with:
Flexibility. Regular gentle movement can help maintain range of motion, which can make everyday activities easier.
Balance. Balance exercises are particularly important as we age because they can help reduce the risk of falls.
Strength. Some yoga positions require you to support your body weight, which can provide muscle strengthening benefits.
Relaxation and body awareness. The slow movements and breathing can make exercise feel less intimidating than conventional workout.
Getting Moving Again
This may actually be the biggest benefit for someone who has been sedentary. For an older beginner, yoga is one piece of a very simple fitness routine. It is recommended that older adults, including you men out there, get a mixture of:
* Aerobic activity: i.e., walking
* Strength training: resistance bands, light weights, or body weight exercises
* Balance training: yoga or tai chi are possibilities
* Flexibility/mobility: stretching and gentle movement
So, a good beginning could be yoga two to three times a week, with short walks on opposite days for 5 or 10 minutes.
If you are saying, “I’ve never really exercised and I want to start doing something,” I would recommend Chair Yoga to start, offered here at the Elevate Movement Studios instructed by Sarah Mallen. Please contact her at the Studio for additional information regarding your yoga/Pilates concerns and sign up for a class. I’ll see you there!
Remember three things: Hydrate, Exercise, and Socialize.
Please be sure to sign into classes so they are not canceled!
Make fitness a part of your day!