How yoga makes a positive impact on seniors

If you are struggling with arthritis, joint pain, diabetes or cardiovascular disease, yoga may help ease your symptoms. Restorative yoga can offer a host of benefits for seniors who are wanting to improve their health and keep their minds sharp. Here are some specific reasons seniors should consider incorporating yoga into their daily exercise routines:

Improvement in balance and stability. Yoga has been proven to strengthen muscle mass, therefore preventing falls — a common cause of injury for seniors. Increasing strength and stability can also help seniors recover better from an injury.

Increased flexibility. Yoga is a great exercise to gradually and gently increase flexibility, especially for those with achy or stiff joints. Studies have found that yoga can help manage osteoarthritis in elderly women by providing therapeutic benefits. Plus, loosening and toning your muscles can help decrease the risk of injury.

Reduced stress. Yoga has a wonderful way of calming those who practice a technique called mindfulness. Mindfulness can be achieved when a participant sits completely still and only thinks about the present moment. By not worrying about past or future worries, stress can be alleviated almost immediately.

Improved respiration. According to studies, seniors who participate in a 12-week yoga program have a significantly better respiratory function. Participants should keep in mind that breathing is the most important function of life and their respiratory system should be cared for.

Improve sleep quality. Those who participate in yoga have been proven to sleep better at night. Achieving the recommended hours of sleep is important for functioning throughout the day. Sleeping enough has also been proven to reduce anxiety, depression and high blood pressure.