Aging and the Benefits of Yoga

Aging is an inevitable process that represents our body’s constant battle to maintain homeostasis – or balance among body systems – but the changes caused by age can result in physical and mental decline, increased susceptibility to disease, and ultimately an increase in mortality risks.

Yoga provides many health and wellbeing advantages that may help reverse or at least slow the aging process. This ancient practice involves physical postures, breathing exercises, meditation techniques and much more – making it suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.

Researchers have discovered that regular yoga practice can significantly enhance balance, mobility, and other indicators associated with healthy aging. Furthermore, a new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine indicates that yoga may also reduce frailty – a multifaceted health condition associated with increased likelihood of disability and mortality.

Yoga can also serve as an effective stress reducer. Prolonged stress can negatively impact your immune system, making you more susceptible to illness. Studies have demonstrated that yoga can significantly decrease both frequency and severity of symptoms associated with stress such as insomnia, high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes.

Yin yoga is an especially beneficial practice for older adults, helping with joint flexibility and strengthening muscles simultaneously. “Yin Yoga allows practitioners to extend poses more slowly,” according to Fleming. It “offers an opportunity to stretch deeper connective tissues differently.” It can provide older people with much-needed joint flexibility as well as muscle strength benefits.