You Are Here: Health & Wellness > Exercise for Seniors – Yoga

Yoga for SeniorsAre you looking for a low impact exercise option for seniors? Yoga is a great choice. It is a moderate cardiovascular, full-body workout that strengthens, tones, and increases flexibility.

Yoga’s goals range from improving
health to achieving spiritual tranquility. It typically involves breath control, simple meditation, and bodily postures.
Yoga can be good for seniors in a number of ways:
• Relieving stress
• Developing core strength
• Lengthening and strengthening muscles
• Alleviating pain
• Enhancing flexibility

There are a number of simple positions that you can do to benefit your health. The basic sitting position, Sukhasana, where you sit on the floor, cross-legged helps focus awareness on breathing and the body. It also strengthens the lower back and opens the hips and groin. The Dog and Cat positions, which are positions where you are on your hands and knees, increase flexibility of the spine. The Mountain posture, which is a standing position, improves posture, balance, and self-awareness. The Forward Bend extension stretches the legs and spines, rests the heart and neck, and relaxes mind and body.
These are just a few of many simple yoga postures you can do to increase flexibility, relieve stress, and develop strength. So, put on some comfortable clothes and practice yoga for health.

Related Posts

Leave a Reply

Encore in the News

Senior News from the NCOA

  • NCOA testifies on Capitol Hill NCOA experts testify at two Congressional hearings this week--one on the federal reverse mortgage program and the other on senior poverty, hunger, and the Older Americans Act.
  • Vote for your favorite “I Believe” photo! We posed a simple yet powerful question: What do you believe about older adults? We’ve received dozens of inspiring answers. We posted 16 of our favorites on Facebook. Vote for which you like best!
  • Senior centers: An Rx for healthy aging America’s Health Rankings® released its 2013 Senior Report, showing the healthiest states for seniors. The report includes NCOA's call for a greater investment in senior centers to promote health.
  • What’s new with the Older Americans Act? NCOA took to the radio to discuss issues facing the Older Americans Act. And the Administration on Aging has released new tables reflecting the impact of FY13 sequester cuts on OAA programs.
  • Two new webinars on healthy aging Join experts from our Center for Healthy Aging to discover proven programs that can help seniors with arthritis and chronic conditions live healthier lives.