Growing old is part of a natural life cycle through which we all pass. However, it is quite possible to go through this phase in a peacefully and healthy way relying on Yoga, a practice that offers many benefits both physical and mental, for people of all ages, including the elderly.
So, check out our post and know the yoga benefits for the elderly!
Bones Strengthening
One of the most common diseases which occur in the elderly is osteoporosis, which is a condition characterized by bone density degeneration, which occurs gradually making bones more porous, lowering its resistance to friction. This condition greatly increases the risk of broken bones in the elderly. According to Dr. Dráuzio Varella, osteoporosis can lead to spontaneous fractures or fractures by small impacts, caused by simply sneezing or coughing.
To strengthen the muscles and to reduce the incidence of these fractures, Yoga has been highly recommended as a physical activity option to help in the osteoporosis treatment. Yoga, characterized by being an isometric and sustentation exercise, works the muscles by putting a muscle group against another, generating forces greater than the gravity itself.
Of course, other activities such as aerobics and bodybuilding strengthen muscle groups, keeping osteoporosis under control however; this type of exercise can provide disadvantages for the elderly. The act of jumping rope, for instance, may cause osteoarthritis. As Yoga is a low impact activity, it becomes the perfect choice for this stage of life.
Fall prevention
Yoga has exercises for a wide variety of the body parts that could help to lower elderly falls risks. The eye exercises, for example, help to keep the retina and other eyes parts healthier, allowing the elderly to watch the steps and other obstacles on the ground better, which may cause falls.
Yoga carried out exercises that provide greater flexibility to toes, strengthening the foot arch, allowing better sustentation. Furthermore, promotes muscles strengthening, rebalancing it; it keeps the knees in the correct position, level the hip and improve lower limb joints. Yoga works also the spine flexibility, which results in greater comfort, better posture and more balance!
Anxiety, stress and blood pressure decrease
One of the great benefits that Yoga offers is the relaxation that comes from meditation and breathing exercises, which help to reduce stress and anxiety. Moreover, behind this benefit, there is another: the blood pressure decrease! Due the relaxation feeling Yoga offers, it decreases the production of hormones responsible for stress, cortisol and adrenaline.
Therefore, Yoga relaxes and controls the stress levels and lowers the blood pressure as well. When in high levels, it could cause serious damage to the elderly health.
It improves the ability to concentrate and the memory capacity
According to a study published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health, only twenty minutes of Yoga practice, daily, are enough to improve cognitive abilities. The study explains that meditation and breathing exercises performed in Yoga help to reduce anxiety and stress levels, resulting in a greater ability to keep concentration, strengthening the entire cognitive system, including memory – which begins to fail in the elderly.
Yoga is a light activity, increasingly recommended for the elderly. However, before you start practicing it, see a physician to find out if you have any restrictions. Some breathing exercises or some postures may need to be avoided, so it is important to inform the instructor what the physician recommends so that the activities are adapted, if necessary. If it is not your case and you would like to start to practice today, know the Yoga course for all ages. Taught by Professor Gustavo Ponce, the classes aim to work all parts of the body.
