Yoga Teacher Training Forum

She could go to a hard body gym and they'd be happy to kick her up her back side. Every ten years the body has some new wear. So, if she's showing off for the sake of students over 75, she might try a class with the 20 somethings.

Yoga for senior mobility: The ancient practice of yoga therapy is referred as the unification of mind, body and spirit also works for developing harmony between them. This form of bodily exercises is easily performed by anyone regardless of age, fitness level and gender or with any physical and psychological problem. The asanas and postures are very much appropriate and supportive for aged people going through physical mobility and balance limitations.

Mostly older people spend very inactive livelihood by watching television for long time, sitting on chair and reading books. This type of sedentary life style in aging process directly cause in rising back problems, muscular rigidity, limpness or weakness of joints, sleeplessness and depression. At this stage of life the person is at higher risk of causing diabetes, cardiac problems, osteoporosis and arthritis. All these factors result in decreasing physical fitness and mobility also.

The techniques of yoga strive as an effective tool to overcome all these aging issues, the gentle, safe and controlled movements are helpful in reducing anxiety and depression at the same time increase toning and strengthening of joints and muscles. The postures designed for aged people improves balance and control of body, keeps the body fit, strong, supple and provides a sense of wellness. Many practitioner belong to age group over 50 stated that these exercises complement their lifestyle and they enjoy practicing new approaches of yoga. According to them after practicing the movements and poses of yoga they experience improvement in memory and ability to concentrate their attention for long duration of time. The deep breathing procedure increases the supply of oxygen to brain, helps in strengthening lungs, vocal cords and provides clarity in speech whereas gentle stretching movements are helpful for eliminating swelling from joints, increasing flexibility and mobility of muscles and joints.

The gentle exercises for seniors mainly consist of lifts, bends, movements of all body parts along with active breathing and meditation. In therapeutic methodology of yoga special styles and self care exercise program are formulated for aged people having difficulty in movements due to inactive muscles and joints. Most commonly practiced form among them is chair yoga, said to be the safest method of exercising that grants numerous physical and mental advantages. The postures and movements are usually performed by using chair or other adjustments aid in improving strength and mobility.

According to a clinical investigation published in the yoga international journal issue of July- September people having age over 65 are at greater risk of falls after participating in modified chair yoga program experienced enhancement in mobility, reduction in level of stress and anxiety. In another study published in May 2012 shows that seniors with osteoarthritis found improvement in bodily functioning and decrease in hardness of muscles and joints after completing 8 week chair yoga session.

The slow, controlled and strengthen poses with the help of chair assist in acquiring better balance and prevent from falling. These exercises are helpful for increasing blood circulation, reducing blood pressure level and alleviating pain of arthritis also support in providing mental relaxation by reducing discomfort or stress.

Several traditional poses are modified in the form of chair yoga such as the cat pose that is normally performed in kneeling position is modified for seniors as sitting at front of chair and arching back and hands resting on knees. Other poses like side bend usually practiced in standing position is modified in such a way that seniors sit on chair whilst stretch and lengthen the sides of body. For improving balance some poses are highly beneficial when practice regularly like adapted mountain pose, downward dog pose and crescent lunge pose.

It is better to practice chair yoga exercises under the supervision of skilled professional so that it is easy to learn correct body alignment and posture.