The elderly often suffer from more chronic diseases, such as hypertension, arthritis and insomnia. Yoga has long been shown to alleviate the symptoms of many of these conditions, as it combines physical poses with relaxation techniques and breathing, to improve overall health and well-being. The important thing is to check with your doctor before beginning.
Improved sleeping habits
If you suffer from lack of sleep, yoga can help you sleep better. A study that compared a herbal remedy for sleep and yoga has found that yoga improves sleep duration and decrease the time it takes to fall asleep. The physical demands of yoga, combined with breathing and relaxation techniques, may be the reason for …show more content…
In just four weeks, participants in a study of Harbor-UCLA Medical Center reported that need less pain medication. Seniors can find that participating in a physical activity reduces pain, and can even see the psychological benefits of social interaction of a yoga class.
Reducing blood pressure
Yoga has been reported to reduce high blood pressure, often a serious health problem for the elderly. Yoga incorporates soothing techniques and physical activity, which may help lower blood pressure. In fact, participants in a doctor's Office in India have seen the drop in blood pressure during the three months of yoga. A second study, cited by the Internal IDEA site, reported that the yoga breathing techniques reduces the pressure better than a relaxing activities like listening to music.
Improving flexibility and movement.
As you age you become less active, you may notice that we are not as flexible as in younger age. Yoga improves flexibility and joint range of motion through physical poses that stretch the muscles and lubricate the joints. Those who suffer from arthritis and other similar conditions can benefit from yoga. Poses that involve fluid movements may be more beneficial than static poses. After a few days of lessons, yoga or yoga exercises at home, may be all you need to begin to feel more agile and