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The Science of Yoga and Ageing: What Studies Tell Us About the Benefits for Seniors
Aged Care Christchurch
Yoga has been practised for a very long time and is known to help people with their health and wellbeing. In recent years, yoga has gained popularity among seniors, supported by scientific research highlighting its significant benefits for both physical and mental well-being.
Research Findings
Yoga as an Alternative Medicine
One recent review of several studies found here states that yoga can be beneficial in reducing the risk of several conditions commonly associated with ageing. These include cardiovascular disease, Alzeheimer’s disease, MS, and fibromyalgia.
The researchers looked at biological markers of disease before and after engaging in yoga and found that key markers of cell stress (redox) were lessened in people who frequently engaged in yoga.
This review concluded that the reduction of these redox molecules also had a positive impact on the cognitive functioning of the participants, reducing memory loss, anxiety, depression, and stress.
However, it is really important to note that in this review the researchers noted several limitations of their study, and cited the need for more similar studies to be done for more conclusive evidence.
Hypertension
Hypertension is a common complication that often leads to cardiovascular issues, so a review was done (which can be read here) for non-pharmacological interventions, one of which was yoga.
This review found that yoga was one of many lifestyle modifications that could help to reduce blood pressure, and that a combination of several non-pharmacological methods led to optimal results.
Some of the other methods mentioned were meditation for mindfulness, breathing non-polluted air, tai chi, and acupuncture. These techniques should be combined with increased exercise and a healthy diet for the best results.
Yoga Programs and Efficacy
A final review looked at the efficacy of several different yoga programs, and found that yoga was an effective way of increasing the exercise range of seniors, resulting in a myriad of health benefits.
These benefits include improvements in the ability of the muscles to balance and flex, which helps to promote resistance against falling and protection against strain. Exercise has also been shown to greatly benefit mental health, with regular exercise boosting mood and protecting against depression and anxiety.
This review also mentioned that yoga was a great activity because it was relatively low cost and easy to implement, with little need for expensive equipment and a variety of movements that could be modified for easier or more difficult exercises.
Ultimately, it concluded that yoga was a good option for exercise for seniors, as it provides an accessible way of exercising, with a variety of movements that can be tailored to an individual’s ability.
Yoga at The Russley Village
At The Russley Village, yoga classes are an enjoyable and social experience that can help guide you along your fitness journey. Whether you are someone who has often done yoga in the past, or if you are a guru, our instructors will be there for you.
Our yoga classes are held in a multipurpose room that can be used for a variety of exercise classes, with suitable flooring and temperature controls, as well as offering the use of mats. These classes are designed to suit a range of abilities from beginner all the way to expert, and feature a variety of poses that can be modified or changed to otherwise suit your needs.
Practical Advice
If you are completely new to yoga it can be a little daunting to jump into a fast-paced class. Try observing in the back, and always feel comfortable to stop or modify an exercise if you need to.
Child’s pose is one of the first exercises you’ll likely learn, and it’s a pose that you can return to anytime you are feeling overwhelmed and need a minute to recover. If you often feel this way, don’t hesitate to ask the instructor if there is a slower paced class that you can join, or if they can offer one for you.
Conclusion
Yoga is a great choice for seniors who are looking to make positive changes to their health. It’s never too late to start looking after your wellbeing, and yoga is a really excellent entry point for physical, mental and even social wellbeing. Here at The Russley Village, you can join a yoga class and experience all that yoga has to offer with the support of our fantastic staff.
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