Yoga for seniors includes poses suitable for older people, such as plank or cat and cow pose, and styles that rely on props, such as Iyengar yoga and chair yoga. Practicing yoga may improve sleep, overall health, and chronic conditions. Iyengar yoga uses props to help practitioners align their bodies correctly, while chair yoga allows seniors to perform modified versions of traditional poses. Some poses, such as plank pose, can be performed without props.
There are several types of yoga for seniors. A number of poses, or asanas, are suitable for older people, such as plank or cat and cow pose. Other types of yoga for the elderly include styles that rely on the use of props, such as Iyengar yoga and chair yoga. Seniors who practice yoga may find that they sleep better at night, feel better, and may see some improvement in chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.
Types of yoga for the elderly include Iyengar, which was started by BKS Iyengar. The practitioner uses props such as a block, blanket, or belt to help her strike a pose correctly. The props make up for any lack of strength or flexibility a practitioner may have and help align her body so she can get the most out of an asana. According to Iyengar, accessorizing is not a way to cheat or take the easy way out, but a necessity because everyone has a different body.
For example, an elderly yoga practitioner may place a yoga block under their lower back for support during a goddess pose or similar pose. She can sit on a blanket to help her lean more forward during a seated forward bend. In some cases, a professional can gain enough flexibility after using the accessory that he no longer needs it after a while.
Another type of yoga for the elderly is chair yoga. When people practice chair yoga, they do the poses on a chair instead of on the traditional mat. Chair yoga allows seniors to perform modified versions of traditional poses, such as the forward bend, in a way that is less strenuous and better suited to their muscle strength and flexibility. Sitting in a chair can be less intimidating for some older people than lying on the floor on a mat.
Older yogis can perform some poses without the aid of props. Yoga classes for seniors may include plank pose, in which the practitioner stands on her forearms and toes, with her back in a line parallel to the floor. Some yogis may drop onto their knees to make the pose a bit easier.
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