By Hazel Bridges March 26, 2019 4 mins
As a senior, the prospect of doing yoga might seem like an impossible dream. After all, there’s no possible way you can bend and twist your body into a pretzel, right? However, yoga comes in many different forms, each with its own poses, and many are extremely gentle, focusing on slow movements, gentle stretching, and deep breathing. If your interest is piqued, the following benefits of yoga will have you on the yoga mat in no time. Create a Dedicated Yoga Space When you are first getting into yoga, it is best to take classes with an instructor who can show you how to modify moves for your safety using chairs and props. However, once you are feeling comfortable, you might want to set up your own yoga space (1). In order to do this, you’ll need to clear out a room or designated corner/space. You might find that you need to move some of your furniture or items into storage, at least until you figure out what to do with them. You can book a 10’x10’ self-storage unit in Chicago for under $60 a month. This could be a good time to de-clutter your home too to cut down on stress and falls. Once your space is cleared, use calm cool tones and add mood lighting (Walmart has mood lamps for as low as $11.97) or drapes (Target has a wide selection of drapes and curtains, many of which are under $20). Yoga for Depression Relief With age comes great loss — loss of a spouse, friends, mobility, independence — and it can add up rather quickly. This is when feelings of depression can creep in, leaving you feeling anxious, lonely, and helpless. While yoga isn’t a replacement for mental health treatment, it is an amazing supplement (2). Yoga naturally increases your serotonin levels, the neurotransmitter used to treat depression, and is responsible for happy and calm feelings. In addition, yoga increases your heart rate variability, resulting in a much higher relaxation response. Yoga for Dementia Prevention Dementia is common among seniors, and there is yet to be a cure, but yoga has been shown to lower your likelihood of developing it by improving memory recall and memory encoding. According to research cited by the Pacific Standard, “Yoga is believed to exert its effect via lowering stress, lowering inflammation, enhancing neuroplasticity processes, increasing antioxidant levels, and increasing telomerase activity (3).” Put simply, yoga helps the brain form new neural connections to keep the brain functioning properly. Yoga for Dental Health Age can bring on a lot of changes in your dental health, including periodontal disease, tooth decay, and jaw pain, and there is evidence that it is an indirect result of depression (4). Unfortunately, stress exacerbates these issues. Regular brushing, flossing, and check-ups are your first line of defense, but yoga can be your second in your quest for good dental health (5). Stress causes inflammation in various areas of your body, including your gums, increasing your risk for gum disease. All this built-up tension can lead to teeth grinding and subsequent nerve damage, gum recession, decay, and tooth loss. Thankfully, yoga’s focus on mindfulness, fluid movements, and deep breathing make it a stress-buster. In addition, certain yoga poses increase salivation, helping to rinse your mouth and keep bacteria from growing. Yoga for Balance and Mobility Both balance and mobility take a hit as the years tick by. Some accept it as a natural part of the aging, but yoga can help you gain some of it back and improve your quality of life. According to a study of 300 men and women age 60 and older, those who attended a yoga class once or twice a week over the course of several months saw a small improvement in balance and a medium improvement in mobility (6). While the research was inconclusive as to the impact on falls, it is safe to say that better balance may reduce the likelihood of falls and injuries. Yoga is a tool all seniors should use. The senior-specific benefits are plentiful, and getting started is simple. Grab a yoga mat, find a quiet space, take a deep breath, and enjoy. References: 1.https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/5-ways-diy-yoga-sanctuary 2.https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/yoga-therapy#how-it-works 3.https://psmag.com/news/yoga-may-help-stave-off-dementia 4.https://areadentist.org/depression-and-dental-health-exploring-the-connection-and-how-to-get-back-on-a-healthy-track/ 5.https://www.peacefuldumpling.com/yoga-dental-health 6.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-yoga-balance-mobility-idUSKCN0US2MY20160114
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Tweet What!Dr. Khong Lamvichit DCChiropractic, Physical Therapy, Nutrition, and good Sports Rehab all lead to one thing. Movement-Strength-Stabilization Archives
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