This new article was written exclusively for our Wellington Estates readers, by our good friend, Karen Weeks, of Elderwellness.net!
Yoga and meditation are having a bit of a heyday right now, despite both being centuries-old in their history and traditions. This modern version of mindfulness can often feel intimidating, characterized by young, fit, beautiful people in yoga pants who look like the very picture of health and wellness. In reality, yoga, meditation and mindfulness as a whole are completely accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels.
Healthier Body
Yoga has a wide range of direct physical benefits such as joint health, flexibility, balance, back pain and muscle strength.
As for mindfulness meditation, despite not being a form of exercise, it can also have a positive impact on your body. According to Mindworks, meditation can improve blood circulation, boost your immune system and give you a good night’s sleep.
Improved Focus
Both yoga and meditation have been shown to improve focus. Both practices are based on the idea of concentrating on your current actions and leaving behind all other thoughts. Through regular yoga and meditation, you can learn to clear your mind of distractions and be mindful of the task at hand.
There is also some evidence that mindfulness can improve memory and slow down cognitive impairment, which is why it is being increasingly researched as an effective preventative measure for dementia.
Better Mental Health
Yoga and meditation have also been shown to be effective tools against depression and anxiety by modulating the body’s stress response. Though they may not be cures for mental illnesses in themselves, both practices focus on deep breathing, which helps calm the body and mind down.
Both depression and anxiety are relatively common in older adults and are often co-occurring. Yoga and meditation are an excellent coping mechanism for these feelings, especially when practiced in conjunction with treatments such as counseling and therapy.
Community
While your first few sessions may be at home (see below), one of the best things about starting a yoga and meditation practice is the community of people you will be joining. As of 2016, there were 36.7 million yoga practitioners in the U.S. With the AARP estimating that 35 percent of adults over 45 to be lonely in their lives, joining an active and thriving community is a great way to combat isolation as you grow older.
There are thousands of yoga classes in gyms and dedicated studios throughout the country, and you are bound to find one that fits in with your schedule and fitness level near you. At these classes, you will be able to meet with like-minded people, share tips and motivate each other to improve.
Getting Started
Many people choose to start their yoga and meditation practice at home, especially if they feel insecure about their ability. There is a huge selection of YouTube videos with yoga routines of all types, and this gentle chair yoga for seniors is a great place to start. You can accompany your yoga practice with guided meditation from an app.
Once you have developed some confidence, you should consider signing up for a class. In addition to the sense of community discussed above, taking a class with a teacher comes other important benefits such as correcting alignment issues and receiving feedback on your poses.
Don’t forget to keep fit in other ways, as yoga may not be enough to fill your recommended weekly exercise targets. There are plenty of exercises you can easily do at home using technology such as YouTube videos, fitness apps and Wii games.
Many people take one look at the pictures of bodies twisted in impossible poses and decide that yoga must be too difficult for them. However, the practice is in fact perfect for seniors looking to boost their mental and physical health. Now is the time to roll out your yoga mat, get into some sweatpants and start being mindful.