The famous American author, journalist, and politician, William Allen White, once said, “I fear vastly more a futile, incompetent old age than I do any form of death.”
With advancements in the medical field, humans have been successful in increasing their life span. However, no earthly force has been able to prevent aging and eventually death. The bitter reality is that humans are more scared of old age than death.
Old age is often associated with pain and sorrow. Diminishing physical and mental faculties, coupled with the fear of diseases, can lead to a loss of self-reliance and confidence, making one dependent on the mercy of others. How much of this is true? And If yes, how can yoga help you age gracefully?
Yoga can help keep oneself healthy, youthful both in terms of appearance and energy. As the popular saying goes, ‘Age is just a number’, and with regular yoga practice, we may keep some of the age related difficulties at bay.
There are certain advantages associated with yoga when practised by seniors. These include:
Improves breathing and cardiovascular health
Reduces stress and anxiety
Improves vitality and strength
Enhances flexibility and helps to stay active
Promotes balance and stability
Yoga can be practised by anyone; however, the yoga practices advised for older people are different in their nature and intention. Generally, yoga for seniors helps improve mobility, balance, and agility, promoting an active lifestyle. By practising yoga under the supervision of experienced practitioners, elderly people may experience improved joint health and reduced stiffness. It helps them relax and revitalise the body.
Another important aspect of senior’s yoga is its ability to cultivate a sense of inner peace. Certain yogic practices, which involve breathing techniques, foster mindfulness and focus when cognitive abilities fail the elders. Apart from helping the body to relax and unwind, mindful breathing boosts emotional and mental well-being. This helps senior citizens feel rejuvenated and more alive.
Although yoga can be practised by people of any age group, it is important to look for certain factors before you begin, such as the body’s constitution, medical history, and previous experience with yoga. This is where the relevance of pioneer institutions like Hatha Vidya comes into play.
At Hatha Vidya, we only prescribe yoga practices after a careful examination of the individual. Our yoga teachers carefully listen to individual needs and concerns and offer curated yoga lessons after considering their health conditions.
Hatha Vidya structures its programs for seniors with inclusivity in mind. Our specifically curated senior’s yoga program includes simple stretches and breathing exercises. Our goal is to offer adaptable yoga practices that cater to senior citizens with a wide range of physical abilities.
Hathavidya's time-tested yoga courses for seniors are designed to ensure a remarkable change in overall health. We aim for holistic well-being by offering a balanced state of life that helps in adapting to life's challenges and leaves them feeling energised. We want to provide seniors with benefits that last a lifetime. We are committed to helping people through pure yoga and sowing the seeds of a purposeful and authentic life through yogic principles.
In essence, yoga is a relief from outside noises. It invites us to pause for a moment, steal some time from mundane activities, and look within to find the balance in life. Whatever peace, harmony, health, or treasure we are searching for is inside us. Through yoga, we come to understand that all the answers and all the cures are within us. However, like a musk deer, we are in pursuit of the musk that can imbue our old age with liveliness.
-- graceful aging
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