HOW CAN SENIOR YOGA HELP ME?

1
HOW CAN SENIOR YOGA HELP ME?
2

• For many generations, yoga has existed to help
  exercise the mind, body, and soul.

3

• A holistic way to develop physical, mental,
  emotional, and spiritual well-being, yoga has
  existed in ancient India not only to improve
  flexibility and fitness but also to develop clear
  thinking and a calm demeanor.

4

• Over the years, yoga has also evolved with a wide
  range of styles and exercises targeting various
  age groups from young children to the elderly.

5

• For the past 7 years, PIES Fitness Yoga Studio in
  the West End of Alexandria, Virginia has been
  serving senior clients ever since it offered its
  signature class called My Body Dont Bend the
  Way. Over the years, the Alexandria-based yoga
  studio which also caters to clients in the Del
  Ray, VA area has developed over 30 classes
  accessible to almost everyone especially seniors
  and the elderly. There is a wide range of
  standing, sitting, lying down and chair yoga
  asanas for older clients to choose from.

6

• PIES Fitness Yoga instructors adapt easily to
  senior clients by placing more emphasis on proper
  breathing and awareness of movement while
  respecting the limitations of the body,
  especially for older adults. During the Senior
  Yoga classes, instructors observe and adjust the
  pace to ensure everyone remains safe and
  comfortable while being gently guided to increase
  mobility, strength, flexibility, and balance.

7

• Older clients are often hesitant to try out
  Senior Yoga classes because they dont know where
  to start and how to progress in their exercises.
  Some clients would often share their apprehension
  in taking senior yoga classes because they fear
  that they may get hurt or no longer be able to
  keep up with the pace and difficulty of the
  positions. At our Alexandria studio, PIES Fitness
  Yoga assures senior yoga clients that their
  safety and well-being are always the priority.
  The overall benefits of yoga to the body also
  outweigh whatever risk there is that can also
  happen when a person, for example, does daily
  household chores.

8

• 8 Benefits of Yoga for Seniors and the Elderly
• 1. Senior Yoga improves balance and stability
• Yoga is a gentle exercise that effectively
  promotes balance and stability. Yoga provides you
  with a better sense and coordination of your body
  movements. With senior yoga, you can also develop
  good balance techniques and also reduce the risks
  of falling which is among the most common kind of
  fatal and non-fatal injuries of adults over 65
  years old in the United States.

9

• 2. Senior Yoga improves flexibility and joint
  health
• Stiff joints and muscles are common among the
  elderly. Senior Yoga is a gentle and effective
  way to increase flexibility and introduce a wide
  range of motion. The movements also
  simultaneously loosen and strengthen muscles.
  Seniors with increased flexibility also recover
  quickly from other injuries or pain.

10

• 3. Senior Yoga improves breathing and
  respiration
• Seniors often experience breathing difficulties
  as they get older. Respiratory systems slow down
  causing negative effects to the aging body.
  Practicing yoga helps seniors become more mindful
  of their breathing. It also teaches specific
  breathing techniques that increase the flow of
  oxygen.

11

• 4. Senior Yoga can lower blood pressure and
  improve cardiovascular health
• Introducing movements through senior yoga is the
  key to maintaining good blood circulation and
  lowering blood pressure. Several yoga positions
  help in opening up the circulatory system and get
  the blood flowing freely again. Recent studies
  have also shown that yoga reduces oxidative
  stress in the elderly resulting in lower blood
  pressure and better cardiovascular health.

12

• 5. Senior Yoga helps with digestion
• Some yoga asanas or positions can help you care
  for the health of your colon and prevent future
  issues from appearing. Senior yoga poses also aid
  in digestion and improve physical health related
  to irritable bowel and colon health. It can even
  help address bloating and other stomach problems.

13

• 6. Senior Yoga strengthens the bones and aids
  good posture
• Gentle yoga poses involving weight-bearing poses
  can help build strength, ease pain, and encourage
  good posture. Aside from improving posture, yoga
  is also a useful addition to your osteoporosis
  treatment plan. It can help to ease symptoms and
  lower your risk of complications. It has also
  helped increase bone density after menopause in
  some yoga practitioners.

14

• 7. Senior Yoga reduces anxiety and encourages
  mindfulness
• Through meditation and mindful breathing, senior
  yoga encourages you to focus on the present and
  find a sense of peace. Research has recently
  demonstrated that yoga positions aids in lowering
  levels of the stress hormone cortisol and help
  ease symptoms of anxiety and depression.

15

• 8. Senior Yoga promotes better sleep
• Yoga can help alleviate sleep disturbances, which
  are common complaints among seniors. Many seniors
  struggle with insomnia, which can exacerbate
  other health conditions. Encouraging seniors to
  do yoga could help them fall asleep more quickly
  and improve their quality of sleep through the
  night.

16

• Conclusion
• The yoga asanas often suggested for an elderly
  person may be the same as those for a younger
  individual. The difference lies in the effort and
  time spent in a posture, and the flexibility
  involved. However, if you have high endurance
  levels, you will be able to perform the
  cardiovascular movements and abdominal exercises
  to satisfaction. At Alexandria, Virginias PIES
  Fitness Yoga Studio, well only make sure that
  all your needs are met.

17

• Come and visit us! Register for one of our
  classes! Book a class and check out our rates!
  We provide classes for clients residing in
  Alexandria, Virginia, and those who live close to
  Del Ray, VA, Old Town Alexandria, and Mount
  Vernon. Aside from Senior Yoga, we also offer
  over 80 yoga and fitness classes for all ages.