Yoga has taken the western world by storm in recent years. Endorsements from many celebrities and now even politicians has encouraged yogis of all ages and body types across the nation to find their downward dog, evidenced by the widespread participation in this year’s World Yoga Day. For seniors, yoga can provide incredible health benefits, such as improved cardiovascular health, range of motion, reduced joint pain, enhanced digestion and lower blood pressure. Doctors are even beginning to prescribe yoga to patients post-surgery to support their recovery.
There are many different types of yoga, which can be confusing for a beginner looking for somewhere to start. For seniors, gentle forms such as Hatha or Iyengar will provide a focused, slow-paced, relaxing session. Many studios now even offer yoga for seniors, where instructors adjust the postures and the pace of the class to account for elderly students.
But, you don’t need to find a studio to give yoga a try. Move some furniture, put on something comfortable (bare feet!), and give this a try at home: