Anybody Can Do Yoga

No matter your age or health you can do yoga. From your first yoga asana lesson the journey is never-ending. The only thing you need to do to Integrate a yoga practice into your life. Make the choice to find space in your busy schedule.

Making the Choice is the First Step

I have written here before about making that choice to do yoga and my experience to do it. We mostly tend to be very busy people. Making that choice to practice yoga in your daily life can be done.

If you are like me, I could find plenty of excuses to not do some movement practice. Believe me, I didi find many. It wasn't until I was encouraged by my doctor to make a choice of the best use of my time. My choice was between my thinking time and my exercise time. It was then that Once I made the decision, I was really able to commit to a daily yoga practice.

Yoga is Life: Life Long Practice

Yoga is different for each person. Wherever you are in the human development life cycle, whether an infant, teen, middle-aged or more than 100, you can still do yoga. Yoga can be done no matter your age or fitness level.

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How Can I Do Yoga If I am an Infant?

Your parents help you to do the movements and get in the habit of a lifetime practice as early as possible. Yoga helps infants to bond and socialize more deeply with the participating parent. It also helps with the development of circulation, posture, and as an aid to physical and mental growth. It helps you take control of your own movements and social surroundings at a very young age. (Sensory Land, 2019)

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How Can I Do Yoga If I am 99+?

I teach yoga classes in a couple of assisted living facilities, so I have seen it first hand. Most of the yogis in these classes are confined to wheelchairs and are 80+ years old. Some of their conditions include stroke effects, arthritis, dementia and other ailments of old age. My lessons are designed for chair yoga. I teach different levels of a particular movement in each class and the patients do what they are capable of doing. If they can't do something, the teacher helps them to modify or they sit there and mentally absorb what I am teaching. Just listening is also considered a part of a yoga practice. The mind gets stimulated by listening.

The movements we do for these in-patients with limited mobility and cognitive abilities, help them to integrate movement into their care recommendations. After class I notice a change in their eyes. I can actually see a change to more awareness to their surroundings. They tell me that they feel good. They are able to express their gratitude.

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How Can I Do Yoga if I am Middle-aged or an Active Senior?

So what if you are older, say 50 or 60 plus, you have an active life. You are not in an assisted living facility. At this stage in life, you begin to discover that you cannot move in the same way you did back in the day. Yes, every single living thing ages. So we need to address these changes as we progress through life.

For the active older person, we will generally, use more props to accommodate well-worn joints, muscles and bones. For example, some people can't get to the floor and that is absolutely fine and understandable. Your teacher will accommodate your body and your needs. Maybe a chair as a prop is what you need here. A bolster, yoga blocks, yoga straps are all good aids for propping. And let's not forget the trusty reliable yoga mat!

Yoga Benefits for Active Seniors

Now we are ready to incorporate yoga postures that help to slow the aging process by

• Building more muscle and, therefore, more strength
• Teaching you how to focus your brain toward your body
• Practicing the development of patience, for those who have none
• Promoting longevity: A regular yoga practice can contribute to a longer, healthier life by reducing the risks of chronic diseases and promoting overall well-being.
• Improving flexibility: As we age, muscles and joints tend to become less flexible. Yoga can help improve flexibility, which is essential for maintaining mobility and preventing falls and injuries.
• Building bone: For those who have low bone density or osteoporosis holding certain yoga postures help to build bone tissue (Fishman, 2021).
• Preventing falls by developing balance and stability: Several yoga postures involve balance and stability.
• Building body awareness: Many of us find lots of aches and pains as we continue to stay active as we age -- some large some small. As you tune into your body with yoga developing this skill can help you to determine the difference between an ache and a pain. An ache means the muscle needs to continue its activity. Whereas a pain can mean the body telling you to back off. Listening to the body is a key to a safe yoga practice.
• Reducing stress: Yoga's focus on mindfulness and relaxation techniques can help reduce stress and promote mental well-being.
• Improving sleep: Some yoga postures and Yoga Nidra (a deep meditation) can help improve sleep quality and promote more restful nights.
• Enhancing cognitive function, concentration, and mental clarity: While yoga can improve these three effects can happen for everyone, they are especially important for those experiencing cognitive decline or dementia.
• Connecting socially: Joining a group yoga class can provide an opportunity for social interaction and a sense of community, which is essential for overall well-being.
• Developing a Mind-Body Connection: Yoga fosters a stronger mind-body connection, promoting a sense of self-awareness, emotional awareness, self-acceptance general feelings of well-being and resilience.

Doing the level of yoga postures that you can do is the number one thing to consider when "shopping" for a yoga teacher or class. A good teacher will teach inclusively by giving you options and modifications making yoga accessible for your particular body, stage of life, and your particular abilities.

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It's important to be aware that the benefits of yoga differ from person to person. It is these modifications that makes yoga a life-long practice. As you learn about your body and self through the practice, you eventually will be able to make your modifications based on what you are hearing as you listen to your body.

Turning yoga into a lifelong habit begins the day that you start your first yoga experience. Yoga offers a wide range of physical, mental, and emotional benefits for individuals of any age.

Readings and Resources

Fishman L. M. (2021). Yoga and Bone Health. Orthopedic nursing, 40(3), 169–179. https://doi.org/10.1097/NOR.0000000000000757

Sensory Land (2019) What is baby yoga and what are the benefits of baby yoga classes?