Yoga for the Elderly - Seniors' Way to Be Fit

Growing Old is the stage when you have more time for yourself, your family, for leisure, recreation and relaxation. However, it is also the time when you are more susceptible to some ailments that are linked to old age like Arthritis, rheumatism, incontinence, and High Blood Pressure. This raises the need for the seniors to stay fit and healthy during this age. Though the degeneration of the body also set some limits to the types of exercises they can do. This leads to the practice of milder forms of exercise such as jogging, brisk walking, and even Yoga.

Yoga is a form of exercise that adapts to your needs and abilities that it can be done even by Senior Citizens and Pregnant Women, and deals with your whole being. It makes your body fitter, the mind calmer and more relaxed. Yoga is also beneficial in the prevention and control of common health and emotional problems that is linked with Old Age. It helps you in becoming more in touch with yourself and your body enabling you to accept who you are and the state you are in which creates a positive approach in life.

Some Yoga Asanas are designed to normalize your blood pressure and balance the Nervous System and are essential in the prevention of heart ailments and problems in the nervous system. The Breathing Techniquescan make you feel refreshed and cleanses the air passages which can help prevent respiratory ailments.

In practicing Yoga, know your body and respect its limits. Do not push yourself too hard in a pose. Yoga can only be effective if you practice it properly. The harder you try, the more you expose yourself to injury. Do not put more stress to your already stressed out body. Remember that Yoga aims to quiet the mind as you exercise the body. If you feel pain, stop what you are doing. The following is a Basic Yoga Session for the Elderly. You do not have to do all the poses, stop when you already feel tired. 

Kapalabhati Kapalabhati is a Breathing Technique used specifically for cleansing.  If you have a lot of mucus in the air passages or feel tension and  blockages in the chest it is often helpful to breathe quickly. This article  will introduce you to this breathing techniques and show you its its  benefits.  Easy Pose (Sukhasana) This is one of the classic Meditative Poses and is usually performed  after doing the Corpse Pose. The Easy Pose helps in straightening  the spine, slowing down metabolism, promoting inner tranquility, and  keeping your mind still.  Cat Pose (Bidalasana) The Cat Yoga Pose teaches you to initiate movement from your center  and to coordinate your movement and breath. These are two of the  most important themes in Yoga practice. Keep in mind that the Cat  Pose may not be advisable if you have any chronic or recent back  pain or injury.  Dog Pose (Adho Mukha Shvanasana) The Dog Pose improves flexibility of your spine, stretches the hips  and middle and low back, rejuvenates the body, and helps in preventing  back problems. Take note that this Yoga Pose should not be performed  if you have serious back pain or injury.  Double Leg Raises A Double Leg Raise is similar to a Single Leg Raise, only this time, you  will raise both legs. In doing this Yoga Pose, make sure that the full  length of your back is resting on the floor and your shoulders and neck  are relaxed. This section covers the steps and guidelines on how to  do this pose properly.  Half Spinal Twist (Ardha Matsyendrasana) If done properly, the Half Spinal Twist lengthens and strengthens the  spine. It is also beneficial for your liver, kidneys, as well as adrenal  glands. Practice this Yoga Pose under the supervision of a Yoga  instructor. In this section, learn how to perform the Half Spinal Twist.  Locust Pose (Salabhasana) If the Cobra Pose works mainly on the upper back, the Locust Pose  targets the lower part. This posture also strengthens the abdominal  area, arms,and legs. Another thing that makes it different from many  poses is that it entails rapid movement. Check out how it is done in  this section.  Wind Relieving Pose (Pavanamuktasana) The term Pavanamuktasana comes from the Sanskrit word 'pavana'  which means air or wind and 'mukta' which means freedom or release.  The Wind Relieving Pose works mainly on the digestive system.  specifically, it helps in eliminating excess gas in the stomach.  Yoga Exercise - Corpse Pose (Savasana) The Corpse Yoga Pose is considered as a classic relaxation Yoga  Pose and is practiced before or in between Asanas as well as a  Final Relaxation. While it looks deceptively simple, it is actually  difficult to perform. Learn more on how to do it with the help of this  article.