Health Benefits of Yoga for Senior Citizens

Everyone has something to gain from yoga, including senior citizens. The core principals of yoga promote relaxation, exercise, breathing, proper diet, positive thinking and mediation. For seniors, the practice of yoga can help ease suffering caused by arthritis, chronic pain and heart disease. 

A new study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine suggests that for older adults—even frail elders in their 80s and 90s—yoga offers substantial health benefits and may be the best form of physical activity.

So, why should seniors practice yoga?

1. Improved flexibility: Few things hamper a person’s mobility and agility to live independently than muscle and joint stiffness. By practicing yoga on a regular basis, older adults can ensure that they maintain their flexibility and avoid many health problems associated with musculoskeletal stiffness.

1. Yoga is low-impact: Since yoga is a low-impact sport, it may not bother the joints of a person with osteoarthritis.

1. Cardiovascular benefits: Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. The practice of yoga has been shown to lower the heart rate and improve circulation.

Not a believer yet? Geriatrician Neela K. Patel, MD, MPH, CMD, a contributor to the study, performed a test for people over the age of 60 practicing yoga, and compared to the results with those practicing other exercise programs. Her conclusion: 

“Yoga not only improves health-related quality of life, but also enhances walking and balance, muscle strength, cardiovascular health, blood pressure, sleep and functioning of other systems. Yoga may also have psychosocial benefits through prevention and control of common health and emotional problems linked with aging.”

MediNurse encourages seniors to exercise on a regular basis. If you can breathe, you can practice yoga. For more information, or to learn about our caregivers, call us at 314.781.2800 or visit www.medinurse.com.