Are you over 55 years of age and searching for a safe form of exercise that doesn’t cost the earth in fees? And one relaxing, enjoyable, social, and beneficial to your health in the long term? Well, have you considered yoga? If the answer is no, then read on and let’s see if we can twist your arm (in the nicest way possible, we promise).
Yoga, a healthy alternative
We hear daily on the news how the population is aging and people are living longer. With age, our body tissues and functions naturally start to decline. We lose muscle and bone strength, our joints become less flexible and everyday tasks begin to become a little more difficult to carry out. If you are the type of person that wants to take control of your life and reduce the impact of aging, then yoga may be the answer for you. It’s safe for all ages and takes on a whole-body approach to life by seeking to create harmony between mind, body and spirit.
Benefits of Yoga
We’ve outlined below some benefits you could learn by getting out there and signing up for a yoga class:
Yoga Helps improve physical function.
This is a fairly broad statement, but many benefits of physical health can be improved through yoga practice:
Improved muscle strength and power: Research shows improved sit-to-stand abilities. Prolonged sit-to-stand times are associated with increased falls and fracture rates in the elderly population. One study over a 32-week period showed yoga participants increased the strength of their hamstrings and calf muscles, associated with reduced fall risks and reduced pain and disability rates in cases of knee osteoarthritis.
Improved agility and balance: People who practice yoga have been shown to improve their abilities to stand, walk, turn around and return to a seated position with a reduced risk of falling.
Improved aerobic fitness: By improving muscle endurance and lung capacity by holding different poses and participating in breathing exercises.
Yoga may help reduce chronic pain
Research shows only a four-week period of yoga practice that can help improve pain levels and reduce the need for pain medication in chronic pain patients.
Yoga may have social benefits
As we age, it’s inevitable that we begin to lose the friends and family around us. After losing a loved one, it’s easy to become disconnected from the surrounding community, which can begin a cycle of seclusion and possible mental illness, including depression. Being part of a class or group of other yoga, enthusiasts can go a long way to keeping you active, social and surrounded by like-minded people.
Yoga may improved sleep habits
With age often comes a decline in sleep health. There is evidence to support using yoga to improve one’s ability to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Who would say no to that?!
Yoga may lessen inflammation in the body
Aging is associated with increased risk of chronic illness, with many people experiencing multiple disease states as they enter their later years. Yoga and yogic meditation have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects on the body by increasing production of certain hormones that reduce the creation of inflammatory molecules in the body.
These are only five benefits. The list is much longer!
People who practice yoga report an better quality of life. Other benefits include improved abilities to relax, boosted energy levels, and better posture. So, if you are 55+ and are asking yourself the question “Can I do yoga?”, the answer is yes, you can, and we hope the reasons above have convinced you to give ita shot.
If you are thinking of taking up a new form of exercise, always check with a professional first. We at Cranbourne Family Chiropractic and Wellness Centre can assess you and give you our honest opinion on whether it’s right for you. Here’s to aging gracefully!
About the Author:
Dr. Andrew Arnold is the senior Chiropractor at Cranbourne Family Chiropractic and Wellness Centre.
References
- Wang, M. et al. 2016. Physical-Performance Outcomes and Biomechanical Correlates from the 32-Week Yoga Empowers Seniors Study. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Article ID 6921689. 1-10. Available from: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2016/6921689/
- Guddeti, R. Et al. 2018. Role of Yoga in Cardiac Disease and Rehabilitation. Journal of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and prevention. 39 (3). 146-152. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Raviteja_Guddeti/publication/329287026_Role_of_Yoga_in_Cardiac_Disease_and_Rehabilitation/links/5c219b5d92851c22a34440dd/Role-of-Yoga-in-Cardiac-Disease-and-Rehabilitation.pdf
- Yoga in Daily Life. 2013. Benefit of Yoga for Over 60s. [Online]. Available from: https://yogaindailylife.org.au/blog/2013/06/18/benefit-of-yoga-for-over-60-s. [Accessed 30 Jan 2020]
- Australia Seniors. 2017. Benefits of Yoga for Seniors. [Online]. Available from: https://www.seniors.com.au/funeral-insurance/discover/benefits-of-yoga-for-seniors. [Accessed 30 Jan 2020]
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About the Author:
Dr. Andrew Arnold is a Chiropractor at Cranbourne Family Chiropractic and Wellness Centre
Andrew is married to Dr. Linda Wilson and has two children, Isaac and Bella. He lives in Melbourne, Australia.
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