Yoga has gained popularity over the last decades and is now practiced all over the world, and for good reason too. It is an exercise that can be done by both young and old people with many amazing benefits to the body. As yoga is relatively low impact and slower in pace, it is an exercise that is suitable and safe for older adults while boasting great health benefits. Let’s discuss some benefits of yoga.
Improves Balance
Yoga has many poses that work to strengthen different sets of muscles, including the core muscles. Poses that strengthen core muscles include warrior pose, chair pose, and cobra pose. When core muscles are strengthened, it helps with balance as the core becomes stronger to better support the body.
Besides core strength, yoga can also help to improve your vestibular ocular reflex which is integral in promoting the body’s balance. This is done by practicing poses that involve moving the head and the body in different directions. Vestibular spinal reflex is another reflex that aids the vestibular system in stabilizing the head when the body is moving. These poses include forward bending pose, backward bending pose, and triangle pose.
Regulates Stress and Promotes Relaxation
During yoga sessions, participants are often encouraged to focus on deep breathing while engaging in the different poses. This is beneficial to older adults as it teaches them to breathe deeply from their diaphragm, resulting in an increase in oxygen intake. This helps to oxygenate the blood which then helps your organs to function more smoothly.
Deep breathing is also linked to better stress management as it triggers a relaxation response by slowing down the heart rate and improving blood flow.
Improves Heart Health
As discussed above, deep breathing during exercise helps to improve blood flow and increase oxygen levels in the blood, benefitting the heart. Yoga is a good form of exercise to lower high blood pressure, reducing the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes. Yoga also does not put much strain on your joints and your heart, which is perfect for older adults.
Increases Flexibility
Yoga helps to stretch your muscles in the body as well as reduce tension and stiffness in the joints. This is beneficial for older adults with joint issues and helps them to be more flexible. Yoga poses help to increase the range of motion. As a result, older adults can move around more fluidly. Better flexibility also translates to fewer injuries and falls as the body can move around more without pain or stiffness.
Choose TerraBella Windsor Lake for a Healthy and Enriching Lifestyle
Yoga boasts many health benefits that are especially useful in one’s later years. If you need extra care and support to lead a healthy life, you can consider joining us at TerraBella Windsor Lake. At our senior living community, you can take part in beneficial activities such as yoga in a safe and supportive environment. We also provide you with concierge service, laundry and linen service, maintenance, housekeeping, dining, and much more. Contact us to find out more!
