Why Yoga Is The Best Full-Body Exercise For Seniors

The health benefits of regularly practicing yoga are too extensive to ignore. Whether you’re looking for a new hobby, exercise regimen, or mental health lifestyle, there’s a yoga practice for you no matter your age. More and more seniors are realizing the amazing, gentle and yet impactful logic of yoga during their golden years.

The great thing about making yoga a part of your fitness journey is that since it’s all about your connection with your own body, you can practice it in whatever way feels best to you. With more than 300 million yogis worldwide and in all age groups, if there was ever a time to pick up a yoga practice, it’s now.

Physical Benefits

Even though traditional yoga focuses on preparing your body and mind for meditation, many western practices lean into the physical benefits of yoga. You can find yoga fitness studios in almost every city. While mindfulness is still a core part of every yoga practice, you can experience physical benefits like weight loss, toning, posture, and overall cardiovascular health. Its emphasis on going at your own pace and doing what feels good for your body makes it great for seniors—it’s all about being in touch with both your mind and body.

Yoga is a great alternative to most sports, especially if you’re struggling with joint pain as you age. The low-impact and deliberate movement you’ll do can help exercise your body in a pain-free way. You’ll also see your strength improve in your legs, arms, and core. One study showed that yoga can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease as much as other conventional exercises such as brisk walking. For many seniors who have to endure chronic back pain, doing yoga moves with a class or at home that focus on spinal decompression can provide a very timely and accessible escape from the discomfort, and may even provide a reasonable alternative to visiting the chiropractor.

Your physical coordination and balance will increase as you master certain moves. Moving your body with purpose can give you an appreciation for how strong you and your body can be at any age.

If you struggle with physical limitations like arthritis, sciatica, herniated discs, or nerve damage, look for practices that offer adaptive yoga. Adaptive yoga’s special focus on meeting the needs of individuals with complicated health situations makes it a great option for those who might struggle with a traditional yoga class. Additionally, chair or aquatic yoga are great alternatives that can be easier on your joints.

The type of yoga practice you do depends on the benefits you want to get out of it. Bikram (also known as hot yoga) is great to lose weight and detoxify the body. Vinyasa focuses on the synchronization of your breath and body movement and can feel almost like a dance. If you’re more adventurous, aerial and acro yoga can be a great way to push your body. Or if you want a slower and more deliberate practice, Hatha yoga lets your mind and body relax. No matter your age or physical abilities, there’s a practice best suited for you and your health journey.

Mental & Emotional Benefits

Mental health is finally getting the attention and understanding it deserves—and yoga is scientifically proven to improve the emotional well-being of its practitioners. Studies have shown that yoga can help improve emotional regulation, reduce stress, depression, and anxiety. Treating those mental health issues can improve your overall brain function well into old age.

Breathing is as much a core practice in yoga as the physical movements. When you focus on deep and controlled breathing, the increase in oxygen and blood flow to the brain can have positive effects on your short and long-term memory function. Since memory loss can happen as you age, cultivating healthy exercise habits like yoga can help your brain’s health and slow memory loss.

Yoga is also beneficial for people struggling with insomnia. One study saw patients who did yoga before bed had positive results in their sleep patterns after just eight weeks. If you struggle to fall or stay asleep, this simple addition to your routine might be the cure.

Community Benefits

Yoga is, at its core, a personal journey. But one of the big draws is the strong community felt among all practitioners. There’s something about doing to a yoga class together while focusing on yourself and your personal wellbeing that makes it a more enriching experience. More people than ever are using fitness as a way to meet new people, and yoga is a great way to feel collective energy.

And the best part of yoga? There’s no age limit to starting. In every class, you will find children, young adults, and people in their golden years practicing together. So whether you’re looking for ways to find new friends or grow in your individual health journey, yoga should be at the top of anyone’s list.