Many of us have probably chuckled over the familiar saying "Old age is
not for sissies."
For many seniors, however, it's no laughing matter. Wisdom may well come
with age, but so does a barrage of frustrating ailments that can limit
aging individuals both physically and mentally.
There's often no joy in getting old, but for those who manage to
maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout their lives, aging may not be as
traumatic as it can be for others. And, as the inimitable entertainer
Maurice Chevalier once quipped, "Old age is not so bad when you consider
the alternatives."
As people age, their bones become more brittle and they gradually lose
their flexibility and muscle tone. Recognizing that regular exercise is
an essential part of helping seniors maintain their health, fitness, and
independence, many recreation and senior centers offer a variety of
exercise programs and workshops for aging individuals. Recent studies
have shown that seniors who regularly participate in gentle exercises
can improve their strength, flexibility, balance, and posture.
One exercise regime that has proven to be physically and emotionally
beneficial to aging people is yoga. A gentle practice of Hatha yoga, for
example, can help to increase flexibility, loosen tightening muscles,
and improve balance, all essential requirements in ensuring that the
body remains healthy. Learning calming yoga techniques such as
Pranayama, which focuses on specific breathing exercises that expand the
lung's capacity, can also help to reduce stress, depression, and sleep
disorders - common ailments that many seniors suffer from.
Fostering a community spirit is another important way to stay healthy in
mind and body as people age. Everybody thrives from the benefit of
knowing that they're cared about, and the senior demographic is no
different. Unfortunately, in this busy and hectic life, seniors can
often get lost in the shuffle. That's why workshops, exercise classes
and get-togethers in community centers are so essential in building a
community spirit among seniors and ensuring their continued wellbeing.
We at YogaHub recently had the privilege of interviewing Megan
McDonough, an instructor who teaches yoga to seniors. To read this
informative interview with Megan, click here: Interview with Megan
McDonough.
May has been designated Older Americans or Senior Citizens Month in the
U.S., and each year the Administration on Aging (AoA) targets a specific
theme. This year's theme, "Living Today for a Better Tomorrow," will
focus on preventative measures and programs to educate and assist older
individuals on how to cope with aging in a physically and emotionally
healthy way.
In addition to Older Americans Month, May is also National Arthritis
Month and National Stroke Awareness Month. Arthritis and strokes are
just two of the many debilitating and potentially life-threatening
ailments that can affect aging individuals.
Deteriorating health does not have to be an inevitable consequence of
aging. By taking an active approach in caring for their minds and
bodies, seniors can stay healthy, active, and productive - and continue
to be an integral and essential part of our community.
Updates from the Blog:
To the Rescue: A True Act of "Namaste" by Christina Souza Ma
The compassionate deeds of Men. Yes - of men.
As I was driving the other day to an appointment, I was distracted by
two cars that suddenly stopped on the opposite side of the street.
Both drivers jumped out of their cars with some sort of urgency.
Continue Reading...
Can Yoga Cure My Headaches?by Francesca Silva
I get headaches all the time. "Cluster headaches" is what my doctor
calls them. I know that stress, lack of sleep, injuries to the body, eye
strain, weather changes, menopause, allergies to certain food - any and
all of these can cause headaches. Continue Reading...
Spread the Love - Referral Rewards
Special care goes into the preparation of each weekly Yoga Newsletter. We invite you to help us spread the word by sharing this message with others. Once a month, we will select an individual to receive a special gift as a token of our appreciation for passing it on. Pay-It-Forward and Win »
The compassionate deeds of Men. Yes - of men.
As I was driving the other day to an appointment, I was distracted by
two cars that suddenly stopped on the opposite side of the street.
Both drivers jumped out of their cars with some sort of urgency.
I get headaches all the time. "Cluster headaches" is what my doctor
calls them. I know that stress, lack of sleep, injuries to the body, eye
strain, weather changes, menopause, allergies to certain food - any and
all of these can cause headaches. 
