Yoga for the Older Adult: for Balance, Memory and Looks!

NandBabaJi The longer one has been practicing Yoga, the better the anti-aging effects. Yet a regular Yoga practice can be beneficial regardless of when one starts. It may be even more necessary for older adults to practice Yoga due to the fact that older bodies are more susceptible to injuries and diseases. While genetics play a role, lifestyle choices can slow the effects of aging. Loss of balance, muscle, bone, memory, looks, joy, may all be prevented to a large extent through healthy activities and a positive mental outlook.

Yoga in Daily Life offers Yoga for Over 50's and Easy Yoga classes suitable for over 50's in all locations. Check the website for class times around Australia or ask your Instructor about a class. While Yoga is not known or practiced for its muscle building effects, it does strengthen the body, slowing down the loss of muscle fiber and bone. In addition, regular practice creates greater joint flexibility and mobility, reducing the risk of injuries and maintaining fluid and comfortable movement. It also helps reduce the risk of falling by working the body in ways which improve balance, as well as working the brain in a way which retards continued loss of balance.

Yoga also has other positive effects on the looks of the body. Good posture and alignment often accompany correct practice. The spine maintains its integrity and flexibility much more effectively than without the practice, and even unhealthy spines often experience a reversal effect towards a more neutral position. The ubiquitous inversion poses, ones which involve the head hanging downwards, have a slight cosmetic effect, directing gravitational effects in a more satisfactory direction, although this benefit is more noticeable in people who start their practice earlier in life.

Last but not least, one must not forget the effects of meditation on the most important organ: the brain. Even the most attractive person becomes less so when they are mean or unhappy. A happy disposition leads to a happy heart. A happy heart leads to a beautiful person and hence a beautiful face. More importantly, meditation has been proven to prevent memory loss and even aid those with Alzheimer’s disease. According to a study performed by Andrew Newburg M.D., meditation increases blood flow to the frontal lobe. Decreased function in this area is responsible for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), MCI progressing to Alzheimer’s disease at a large rate. For more information on this study please follow the link to www.drdharma.com/utility/showArticle/

Starting or continuing Yoga with an instructor experienced in working with special conditions that may be associated with some older adults is a great way to keep the mind, body, and spirit young and light.

Read the full article from the Miami Yoga Examiner