Aging is an unavoidable part of life; everyone experiences its effects differently. Although there are numerous theories regarding what causes aging, none fully explain all aspects of it.
As evidence of movement is key to healthy aging, yoga has proven its worth in increasing strength, balance and flexibility – essential components of healthy aging. Furthermore, yoga reduces frailty while improving sleep and mood as well as cognitive function.
Studies have already demonstrated the benefits of yoga programs at low to medium intensity for seniors, including reduced risks of falls and improved balance and mobility. Furthermore, meditation components help seniors sleep better at night and boost melatonin levels; all this prompted researchers and policymakers to investigate yoga as an option for community and home-based physical activity interventions in elderly adults.
An increasing number of older people are turning to yoga as a way to ease muscle and joint aches, strengthen bones and muscles, stay active, and promote healthy aging while helping protect against dementia and depression. Evidence supports yoga’s power for this very reason.
Yoga combines physical exercise, breathing exercises and meditation into an enjoyable physical practice that can be performed alone or with others in class settings. Yoga’s low-to-medium intensity exercise program can easily accommodate people of differing physical limitations; studies even indicate its efficacy against osteoarthritis!