Staying as mobile and active as possible in your assisted living apartment is a great way to help ensure you can enjoy the lifestyle available at Bethesda Gardens in Phoenix, AZ. Seniors have a number of options for maintaining motion, including our regularly scheduled exercise programming. But you might also be interested in yoga, which can have a number of benefits for seniors.
AARP notes that yoga can be enjoyed by people age 50 and up and comes with several benefits, some of which are summarized below.
Yoga can help you reduce feelings of stress, which might have a positive impact on your blood pressure. It's believed that the slow, controlled breathing inherent in yoga practice is a factor in this benefit.
Engaging in the movement and meditative aspects of yoga can help reduce anxiety and may help boost your mood. For this reason, many people like to start or end their day with yoga.
Studies have shown that engaging in yoga for 30 minutes at a time can help enhance cognitive function.
Yoga concentrates on enhancing balance and muscle strength, which can help you continue to function well in daily life and reduce risks of falls.
The movements and stretching involved in yoga encourage fuller range of motion and can help support healthy joint functionality.
AARP provides some tips for poses you might try, and you can also practice yoga right in your assisted living apartment by following yoga videos online. Some options for beginnings and seniors include:
Slow and Gentle Yoga for Seniors from Yoga With Adriene
Vol. I of the Full Length Gentle Yoga Class for Beginners from The Mat Project
The 7-Minute Yoga Workout for Adults from SilverSneakers
The benefits of yoga don't have to be all physical and mental, though. While yoga can be performed almost anywhere and as a solo activity, seniors may also enjoy the camaraderie that comes with a yoga class. Ask about adding yoga options to the assisted living community exercise programs or seek out yoga classes from local studios or community centers.
Before you start a new yoga workout program, though, make sure this type of exercise is appropriate for you. Yoga is extremely versatile, with different styles and skill levels. You can even do modified yoga right in a chair, so it can be possible for many seniors to find a program that works for them. Ask your medical providers or the staff at Bethesda Gardens about yoga and whether it might be safe and right for you before you get on the mat for your first pose.
