from AARP The Magazine. Real Possibilities. November 2013. Healthy You.
Everyday Fitness: Yoga in Your 70s: Increase strength and boost brain health with these easy poses by AMY PATUREL
“Thirty-five years ago, cardiologist Dean Ornish, M.D., made headlines with his claim that yoga and meditation, when combined with improvements in diet and exercise habits, could reverse heart disease. Since then, research into the health benefits of yoga, especially its effect on older adults, has exploded.
A few notable reasons to practice yoga in your 70s and beyond:
- Improves balance – yoga tones muscles and works on your pro-prioception – your sense of position in space.
- Sharpens your mind – unfortunately, as we age, our thought processes aren’t as sharp as they once were. Focusing on the breath and synchronizing it with movement helps keep the mind clear and engaged.
- Boosts mood – yoga’s combination of breathing, meditation and movement creates an overall sense of well-being. Yoga boosts levels of the brain chemical GABA, which helps calm nerves.
Yoga with Chair students – Jewish Community Centre
