The Benefits of Yoga for Seniors

Yoga first gained traction in the West in the 1970s. It didn't take long for it to achieve phenomenal success due to the well-being it brings, and to this day, it remains popular. As such, it has quickly been adopted by everyone. The benefits of this practice are numerous, especially for older people, and we'll detail them right away.

A few words about yoga

Originating in India, yoga is a gentle sporting discipline that consists of several postures, breathing exercises, and meditation. Practicing this ancient activity offers great mental and physical well-being. It is also a preventative exercise to maintain good health for longer. In addition to bringing calm and peace, yoga classes Calibrate physical movements to one's own abilities. Yoga can be done in a group or individually, with or without a teacher. It is an activity recommended for those over 65. To do this, all you need is a yogi's outfit, a mat, and a cushion .

Yoga and the Elderly

• For balance work : The primary benefit of yoga for seniors is that it works on balance. Through postures and twisting and stretching movements, it improves sitting and standing ability. It also improves mobility while reducing the risk of falls.
• For social connection : Older adults often experience loneliness, and participating in group physical activity is recommended. Practicing yoga as you age helps maintain social connections and avoid the risk of depression. By signing up for classes, you get out of the house and meet new people. Through this social simulation, seniors improve their memory and cognition.
• For a sedentary lifestyle : In older people, a sedentary lifestyle is harmful to their health, especially their heart. They need to move and exercise to stay fit, and yoga is a perfect exercise. In fact, it helps train without making great physical efforts . Practicing it regularly acts on the lubrication of the joints and on the flexibility of the muscles.
• To soothe chronic pain : Yoga allows older adults to naturally relieve pain caused by chronic conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis. It also has a beneficial effect on back flexion, making the back more flexible. Furthermore, this discipline allows you to maintain correct posture at all times.
• For blood pressure : Yoga consists of slow movements and breathing. Combined with soft music, it has a positive effect on blood pressure in older adults. Along with the sense of well-being and serenity it brings, it lowers the heart rate of older adults.
• For Sleep : Another benefit of practicing yoga for older adults is sleep. As we age, we tend to face sleep problems. Thanks to this soothing discipline, we can easily find quality sleep and avoid insomnia and other sleep-related disorders.
• For pelvic muscles : Nearly a third of older women experience incontinence, but several studies have shown that yoga is a great help in this case. It increases body and self-awareness while reducing anxiety and stress. For women who practice it, the number of urinary leaks decreases by 70%.
• For weight loss : While yoga is a slow-paced exercise, it's true that it works your muscles. It's therefore a good way to avoid weight gain, a common problem during menopause. Indeed, the foundation of yoga is listening attentively to your body.
• For mood : It is thanks to meditation, which is an integral part of yoga, that it can greatly improve the mood of older people. All exercises are perfectly structured so that mental energies are focused on the movements. As a result, one distances oneself from problems and negative thoughts, and acquires a feeling of well-being and lightness.
• For Brain Simulation : Many individuals may not know this, but yoga is beneficial for mental health , particularly for information gathering, concentration and memory. It also contributes to the significant improvement of precision and speed.