Yoga for Seniors

Yoga is to be aware and all these practices are directed towards that. Yoga asanas help  become more aware of your body, Sudarshan Kriya of Art of Living and meditation help you become aware of your thoughts and your breath. All these help to witness ones emotions,  capabilities and experiences.

Yoga enables one to stay focused and centered and to contribute to every situation without getting emotionally involved in it.

Most of us think if seniors above 65 can do yoga. And yes they can. The basic premise in yoga is union - union of the various aspects of our existence like body, breath, mind etc. In fact the word yoga comes from a Sanskrit root 'Yuj', which means 'to unite'. Hence, it is possible for people of all ages and from all walks of life to utilize the techniques of yoga for creating a harmonious and joyful existence..

•   Substitute warm-ups with brisk walking and joint movements.
•   Standing Yoga Poses Triangle Pose (konasana series) and Standing Spinal Twist (Kati chakrasanas)
•   Sitting Yoga Poses Butterfly Pose, Cradling (if possible), body rotation, Cat stretch and Child pose (Shishu Asana).
•   Yoga Poses lying on the back or stomach Focus on repetitions rather than holding any posture such as the Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana), the Locust Pose (Shalabhasana) or the Knee to Chin Press    (Pawanmuktasana).
•    Yoga nidra is by far the most essential part of any yoga practice, and as age progresses, it becomes even more essential to help assimilate the effect of the asana practice into our system.

The same yoga asanas performed by a younger individual could be more challenging in terms of effort put into the posture, the duration of holding the posture and amount of flexibility required. Some cardio vascular movements and abdominals would be more appropriate for a person with higher level of endurance and body fitness.

Do not push yourself too hard in a pose. Yoga can only be effective if you practice it properly. The harder you try, the more you expose yourself to injury. Do not put more stress to your already stressed out body. Remember that Yoga aims to quiet the mind as you exercise the body. If you feel pain, stop what you are doing.