More and more research has shown that Yoga is an excellent total body exercise for your body and your mind.
Here, we're going to quickly show you the yoga benefits, whether you’re in your 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s or 80’s.
1. Yoga improves strength
You don’t often associate Yoga with strength training. But you don’t have to look like a Mr. Olympia, nor do you have to train like one, to get the benefits of strength training.
Yoga uses many weight bearing exercises like the plank and the warrior pose which can create a burn with the best of them and improve muscles in your legs, core and shoulders for a great, low impact, total body workout. In fact, two of the five best exercises recommended for strength and balance are yoga poses!
2. Yoga increases flexibility
As we age, our muscles and joints get tighter and less flexible. We don’t need a scientific study to prove that! Just trying to tie our show laces, scratch our back or put on our socks is research enough.
Yoga offers a series of stretches for our legs, hips, shoulders, hands and back that have proven to improve muscle flexibility and joint range of movement. In fact, yoga has even been shown to reduce the pain associated with osteoarthritis.
3. Yoga benefits balance
Whether it’s biking, gardening or hiking, maintaining balance is critical to being able to continue doing the activities we loved to do safely well into our adult life. It also helps us avoid dangerous falls.
Try a one legged tree pose and you’ll get a sense for how important Yoga is for your balance.
4. Yoga is good for your heart
Studies show that yoga can possibly lower your heart rate, eases palpitations, improves symptoms of heart failure, improves blood pressure and lowers hypertension when you combine postures, breathing and meditation in your yoga practice.
5. Yoga is good for your bones
People in their 50’s and beyond face the challenge of lower bone density, which could, if left unchallenged lead to osteoporosis. The weight bearing nature of yoga exercise has consistently proven to benefit bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis in those over 50 years old – especially women. In fact, one study showed that doing just 12 minutes of yoga a day can reverse osteoporotic bone loss.
6. Yoga reduces anxiety and sharpens the mind
Yoga was traditionally done as a preparatory exercise for meditation. It’s emphasis on breathing and focus on the task at hand have been proven to have benefits for the mind.
Yoga has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, depression, improve sleep, and enhance overall well-being.
(P. S. You should take a yoga class that includes the full gamut of techniques like poses, breathing and meditation. Doing so will ensure that you maximise the physical, cardiovascular and mental benefits of yoga.
If you have any preexisting conditions like a sore back, arthritis, torn rotator cuff, ACL or MCL sprains etc, it’s important to tell your instructor in advance. They. will be able to amend poses for you to avoid unnecessary or dangerous strain to affected areas that might aggravate your injury.)
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