3 health benefits of yoga for seniors

If you're thinking about introducing a new exercise program into your life, you may want to try something really innovative. A fresh study conducted by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health indicates that practicing yoga a few times a week can significantly improve the overall health and well-being of older adults.

The practice of yoga has a number of remarkable health benefits for seniors due to the use of a variety of physical poses, deep breathing, and elements of meditation. For those who suffer from frequent falls and seek medical attention for injuries, yoga can help them become more flexible, stable and balanced. In addition, it has been scientifically proven that practicing yoga is particularly effective for those who suffer from chronic back pain when compared to traditional stretching methods.

These low-trauma exercises can help avoid long-term hospitalizations. To top it all off, here are three major benefits that yoga brings to the health of seniors.

Improved sleep patterns

Yoga is a relaxing method of releasing tension built up in the body and mind, especially in the shoulders and upper back. This means that anxiety is reduced after practicing yoga, which leads to better sleep. Yoga gives you the opportunity to relax, concentrate on your breathing and exercise your body, which will help you sleep longer and better.

Reduced risk of depression

Another benefit of yoga for seniors is that it can reduce the risk of depression. Yoga relaxes the mind and body and improves your mood. National studies on the benefits of yoga have shown that when people with chronic pain practiced yoga, they had significantly lower rates of disability and depression after six months. Depression is a problem for seniors due to social isolation, so yoga can help improve and stabilize mental health.

Pain and distress relief

Just as yoga helps reduce depression, it also reduces physical pain. If you suffer from arthritis or other inflammatory joint or muscle conditions, focusing on the breathing techniques of yoga can help relieve the stress that worsens pain. It also strengthens joints and muscles, increasing their functionality and flexibility. Yoga also presents a great opportunity for people with specific physical limitations, as they can easily tailor their exercise program to their needs.

Thus, yoga is a great option for seniors who want to stay fit and prevent age-related pains in a healthy and productive way.