Yoga is a great exercise to take up if you are wanting to
stretch, balance your energy, reduce your stress, lose weight, breathe easier
and have more flexibility. So, whether you are 18 or 80 your age is irrelevant
because there are yoga exercises every age can do.
Yoga is a low impact, slow workout and is also a physical,
mental and spiritual discipline. It originates in ancient India and is one of
the main Hindu philosophical traditions. Yoga can increase your cognitive awareness
and decrease physical diseases.
Benefits for seniors
It is important that seniors still get regular exercise
throughout the day. As you get older you may find that you are having trouble
doing the same sports you used to when you were younger, but you still need to
keep active so yoga and walking are both great ways to do this.
Age often brings with it aches and pains, muscle weakness,
malnutrition, depression, and muscle and joint weaknesses. Yoga and gentle
exercise will help boost immunity and keep fit.
Easiest poses for seniors
The butterfly pose is a good pose for seniors. It is a
good idea to practise on an empty stomach in the mornings as it can help with bladder
and bowel movements. It can also help with mild depression and anxiety. The stimulation
of the stomach organs and the heart improves general circulation, and stretches
the inner thighs and knees. It can also help with high blood pressure, asthma
and flat feet.
Our second pose is the mountain pose and try to hold it
for about 10 to 30 seconds. It will improve posture, strengthen weak thighs and
ankles, improves digestion, and also increases blood circulation as well as relieve
some aches and pains.
Cobra
pose also helps bowel movement. It will loosen stiff lower back and stretches
the muscles in your chest, shoulders and abdomen as well as lift your mood.
Child pose practised away from mealtimes held for 1-3
minutes helps release tension, keeps you alert, helps steady breathing, and
calms you.
Corpse pose will need you to have a calm mind and to relax
your body without fidgeting. Stay in this pose for about 10 minutes or more,
but don’t fall asleep. It helps with insomnia, to improve concentration, mental
health,
constipation and diabetes.
Downward facing dog is good for your bowels when
practised early in the morning on an empty stomach. Hold for a few seconds building
up to a minute. It helps boost confidence, keeps you active and because it is
an inverted pose it allows more blood to flow to your brain. This improves your
cognitive abilities.
Triangle pose is done with your eyes open for 20 to 30
seconds. It helps reduce blood pressure, decreases fat from your waist and
thighs and can give you better stability and balance.
How to get fitter and healthier
If you join a group, you can also have the added
advantage of using your yoga sessions to meet more people and make more
friends. Alternatively, if you are already busy you can jump online and use
your loungeroom floor as your yoga studio. Either way your body will get a good
workout if you can do this a few times a week and alternate with one time
walking for about 40 minutes or more.
Being a senior does not mean you need to compromise any
of the things you have been doing all of your life. You just need to tweak
things a bit. Your body can be just as healthy if you look after it and your
mind just as cognitively sharp. You just need to give it the right food, sleep
and exercise. Give us a call or text for help with a plan to get you fit and
keep you healthy with proper nutrition, great cognitive ability, handling those
aches and pains, overcoming sensitivities to food or pollution and keeping you
mentally and emotionally motivated to continue having a great lifestyle. www.stressfreehealthmanagement.com
(Pics thanks to Matthew Henry Burst Shopify)
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