Oct 22nd, 2008
Yoga for Seniors
Is Yoga Suitable for Seniors?
Every stage in life brings with it changes both physical and psychological that we need to learn from and adapt to. Retirement is no different and just like the transition from home life to school life or from school life to work life, should be exhilarating, challenging and a fresh opportunity to live and experience life in a new way.
The Stages of Life
Just as each new stage in life brings with it new activities and leaves old ones behind, so does retirement. At 65 or 70 or 80 plus years it may no longer be quite as feasible or desirable to continue with activities that you enjoyed in your youth, whether it be football, rugby, hurling, hockey or whatever else. Yoga, however, unlike most sports, is a timeless activity that can be enjoyed by all.
Physical Changes
Some of the physical changes we experience with age are a gradual loss of muscle tone, decreasing flexibility, mental acuity, changes in blood pressure and weakening bones to name just a few. Desire and motivation to keep active and fit may also become a problem.
Yoga can be done very actively and dynamically or very gently and slowly, depending upon the needs of the practitioner. There is no competition, no level to attain, no better or worse practitioner, only people enjoying the practice and benefits of an enriching activity.
Energizing Yoga
Unlike many other physical activities, yoga does not exhaust the practitioner but rather energizes, leaving you feeling stronger, happier and more relaxed after a class. In addition to graduated strengthening exercises, yoga includes balancing, stretching and relaxation exercises combined in logical sequences which directly benefit us as we age.
Yoga for Octogenarians
Many renowned yogis have continued to practice physical yoga exercises into their nineties and beyond. There is no age limit to the practice of yoga and no age, however advanced that cannot benefit from a gentle, focussed, energizing yoga practice.
Vanda Scaravelli is an excellent example of the age transcending power of yoga. Coming later in life to yoga, Vanda was already in her 40s before she was introduced to asana practice by BKS Iyengar and continued an inspiring practice until her death at the age of 91. Vanda’s flexibility at this advanced age is legendary in yoga circles and serves as an inspiration to us all as we mature in life and in our practice of yoga.
The Gorey Yoga Studio
The Gorey Yoga Studio is committed to providing quality yoga classes to the senior community. If you know of an individual, group or organization of seniors that would be interested in exploring this life-enhancing and age friendly activity, please do not hesitate to contact us on 086 408 2428 or email us at info@yogagorey.com
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