It can be daunting for middle-aged and older people to start a yoga practice, especially if they are out of shape or have a health problem. Still, gentle practice for beginners can be a great way to stay active and reduce your stress levels. For people over 50 benefits of yoga are numerous, ranging from healthy bones to flexibility and relief from anxiety. Yoga works to strengthen the body by utilizing the weight of your own body in most postures. But unlike usual strength exercises, you are less likely to injure yourself.
The Benefits of Stress-free Body Movement
The effect that yoga has on health is especially noticeable and highly appreciated by older practitioners. Any age is good for starting classes. However, the older the beginner is, the more striking the changes that will occur in the body will be. The concept of age is conditional and our expectations play a large role in the perception of aging.
The experience of teachers who work with students over 60 and even 80 years of age shows that the physical condition changes so much after six months of regular practice that it is hard to believe. Starting with simpler movements, with poses performed with chairs, blankets, and other things, even older people can perform exercises that 30-year-old beginners cannot.
Increased flexibility
Gentle stretching in yoga postures can help you develop more flexibility in the long run. This can give you a greater range of motion as you age. The limited range of movement, which naturally declines as the body ages, makes mature people predisposed to falls. It can ultimately interfere with their daily activities. Yoga helps you exercise your body parts that are neglected in other exercise programs. One of them is spine flexibility. Certain yoga postures can also alleviate hormonal fluctuations in menopause.
Promotes Good Bone Health
Not only is gentle yoga practice safe for people with osteoporosis, but it can also be effective in preventing and slowing down bone loss. As well, it increases bone density and strength. Whether you are looking for a way to prevent osteoporosis or want to alleviate the pain of a pre-existing condition or bone fracture, gentle twisting and stretching poses can be helpful.
Return to the Roots: Sukshma Vyayama Yoga
The practice in Sukshma yoga was designed to develop and stimulate bones and muscles. In addition, the exercise normalizes the functioning of the nervous and digestive system and the endocrine glands. By practicing it regularly, you will quickly notice how your mental state improves.
The entire body is systematically revitalized with very effective breathing and body techniques. They are easy to perform and are suitable for people of all ages. This effective training is for the physical, mental and spiritual health and development of holistic abilities. Energy is noticeable, from which happiness, health and longevity emerge.
For Those Who Are More Active: Yogabox
The Yogabox was designed in London by two professionals. Chris Baugh, an athlete linked to the boxing world for over 10 years, and Will Wheeler, a yoga instructor who studied Ayurveda in India. Boxing is a very intense sporting activity, which combines cardio, muscular work, and endurance. Yoga, on the other hand, is a more relaxing and regenerating activity, which helps in meditation and breathing. Both disciplines, however, find a meeting point. Both act on improving balance and coordination.
Yogabox helps with accident prevention, cardio, concentration, coordination, awareness, intensity, flexibility, and resistance. The presence of two experienced instructors is required for a complete Yogabox session, one for each discipline. The training is based on a course that combines intense features of boxing with other more restaurateurs made possible by yoga.
Personal Growth
In essence, yoga is more suitable for mature people who take an interest in studying themselves and working on the development of their personality. Of course, maturity does not always depend on age. But still, it is in the second half of life that we, having already solved the basic material problems, begin to think about more. Yoga is an integral element for the development of personality. To master meditation, one must learn concentration and observe how the mind becomes more active and young. This is a wonderful and rewarding experience.
Have you started yoga later in life? Let us know in the comments!
Nemanja Marinkoff is the editor-in-chief of TheGearHunt and WalkJogRun. He’s a marketing expert, and he’s interested in all things related to basketball. He also loves marzipan, although his wife hates it. You can find him on Twitter.
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I began yoga after I retired . I joined a gentle yoga class at my neighborhood YM CA. Better than chocolate. Class concentrated on strength, stretching, balance, mindfulness. My teacher emphasized to ignore what your neighbor is doing …this is NOT a competition. I miss the class and its social contacts … my YMCA is closed because of the pandemic.
You have something to look forward to returning to in the near future. Think positive thoughts during these difficult times. Warmly,Hpney
I’m not retired, but I do enjoy yoga and what it’s brought to my life and health. I practice in a studio 6-7 days a week, and can attest to the strength, flexibility, and balance improvements attained over time. I’m now more fit than I was in my youth, and the social benefits of connecting with positive-minded people make it a must-have activity for me.
You have enlighten me. Thank you!!! Warmly, Honey