There are many different types of yoga and each pose has its own benefits and challenges. Yoga for elderly people is a great way to keep one’s body active and healthy. Yoga poses for elderly people can help with joint pain, anxiety, arthritis, back pain and depression. I
n fact, yoga has been found to be as effective as an antidepressant in treating mild to moderate cases of depression.
What are the benefits of practicing yoga for elderly people?
- Yoga for the elderly helps to improve strength and flexibility – there is a misconception that yoga is not a form of exercise – it is! It improves strength and flexibility which reduces the risk of injury. It helps to reduce joint pain – Many older adults suffer from joint pain due to arthritis or other conditions.
- Yoga can help those who suffer from joint pain as it involves stretching the muscles to improve flexibility, breathing exercises that help strengthen the muscles, and strengthening exercises which can decrease joint pain. In particular, yoga is believed to be helpful in reducing back pain as well as general aches and pains due to aging.
- It helps to reduce stress – Stress levels have been known to increase with age. Practicing yoga regularly can lower stress levels by relieving tension in the body and improving relaxation techniques.
Poses
- Child’s pose: This great pose is done at the end of each yoga class when you still need to relax but are unable to lay flat on the floor without pain in the back or knees. From a standing position, bend forward from the hips until your torso is resting on top of your thighs and calves while keeping the knees bent with feet flat on the floor. Rest your arms out in front of you or along side you wherever you can comfortably do so without putting more pressure
- The Cobra Pose: The cobra pose strengthens your abdomen and back muscles while also stretching your shoulders. In addition, this pose improves your posture by strengthening the upper part of your body.
