Seniors need to keep physically active to Stay Fit and healthy. You can choose from a variety of fitness programs, but an exercise dedicated to balance and flexibility like yoga has a range of benefits. Meditation is important for your wellness, too, and read on to learn more about the benefits of yoga and meditation, and how you can easily start practicing in the New Year.
Why Meditation Matters
According to Mindworks, seniors can benefit from consistently participating in meditation techniques. Meditation can help to slow down progressive forms of dementia like Alzheimer’s disease by improving your focus and mental acuity. When you meditate, you improve your digestive systems and stabilize your mood. Meditation will also help with relaxation and keeping calm during your everyday life. You can look for meditation techniques online or consider using these podcasts to enhance your practice.
How Yoga Helps Wellness
One of the great things about yoga is that it can be practiced by people of any age. In fact, recent statistics show that over 14 million Americans over the age of 50 are practicing yoga on a consistent basis. Yoga is not only appropriate for seniors, but it can also help to improve your physical and mental health. The breathing exercises that most yoga practices are known for will improve your lung capacity which is great for remaining active and getting a good night’s sleep. Seniors are at great risk of injury from falls, and consistent yoga practice has the added advantage of improving balance and flexibility.
Best Yoga Styles for You
There are quite a few different styles of yoga, but not all of them work well for seniors. This is especially true if you are a beginner. Senior Living explains that a couple of the yoga styles that might be appropriate for seniors include Iyengar yoga, which focuses on basic posture poses and alignment, and restorative yoga, which uses aids for passive poses that will help you relax. For styles with more movement, consider vinyasa and ashtanga, both of which encourage fluid flow from one pose to the next. When practicing, you should be careful to avoid poses that may exacerbate existing conditions such as asthma, back injuries, or high blood pressure. If you’re looking for low-impact yoga options, then a chair or water yoga practice is your best bet. These offer similar poses but keep your joints protected.
How to Find Senior-Friendly Yoga Classes
As a senior, it is best to look for senior-friendly yoga classes close to you. When attending a yoga class, make sure you’re properly dressed and inform the teacher of any medical conditions or pain issues you have so they can suggest modifications for you during the class. If cost is an issue, review your health insurance policy to see if it will cover classes. Basic Medicare plans don’t cover yoga classes, but many Medicare Advantage plans allow you to join the SilverSneakers program, which gives you access to fitness facilities that offer yoga classes.
For seniors who are not quite up to leaving home to participate in a class, using a yoga app that’s designed specifically for older adults will help. Whichever option you choose, it’s important that you consult with your physician before starting a yoga practice or trying something new. If you notice any ill effects on your body, don’t ignore it! When it comes to your health, it’s always best to play it safe.
If you decide to keep your practice home-bound for the time being, make sure you have a space you can dedicate to yoga. This means having an open area in your home with room enough to move around on your mat. Other items worth having in this space include props like blocks, a strap and a bolster, an oil diffuser or even a speaker to play soft music. If you need to move furniture around to accommodate this space and can’t do it alone, reach out to friends or family who can help. Better yet, play it safe and work with moving specialists who can make short work of furniture removal or replacement. Simply search online directories to find top-rated companies.
Anyone can reap the benefits from the consistent practice of yoga and meditation. Just make sure you have done your research and have chosen the best option for your needs. Stay Fit and Namaste!
Jennifer McGregor is a pre-med student who knows how difficult it can be to sift through the mountains of health-related information on the web. Together with a friend, she co-created Public Health Library to write about health and wellness topics and to create a forum for sharing reputable health and medical information.