Retirement and Ageing Directory, Australia

Yoga and Pilates

Doing regular exercise helps maintain our bodies at their peak, but some types of exercise can actually deplete the body's energy reserves. You may have had the experience of doing exercises and then feeling exhausted afterwards.

Yoga energises the body, tones the various body tissues, massages internal organs, and quiets the nervous system.

There is a psychological effect too from doing yoga practice. The exercises promote a kind of mind-body connection which occurs when keen awareness is applied to the yoga postures, awakening the body's own intelligence. Concentration is improved as a result of this process, and one is fully present.

As one's age increases, so too do the costs of medical care. The regular practice of yoga means the aging person can take some measure of responsibility for their personal health and reduce these costs substantially.

It's a hard fact of life that aging just happens.

Even those of us whose bodies have been fighting fit and healthy all of our lives will eventually succumb to a process of gradual deterioration.

One of yoga's main advantages is that it can help slow down the aging process.

More on Yoga, Pilates and Stretching Exercises

More information on staying loose.

Here are just some of the benefits of yoga that relate to the various systems of the body.

Circulation - Arterial health is assisted by the massaging action of yoga poses. These affect all the body's vessels, as well as the internal organs. Inverted poses like "legs up the wall" done with promote the venous blood return to the heart. Blood and lymph that gets pooled in the feet, ankles and legs causes swelling and stagnation, and is helped by gravity by being up-side down.

Respiration - By practising yoga breathing, one's inner vital strength is assisted, and this helps reduce stress. The vital capacity of the lungs is improved by doing yoga poses, the rib cage kept flexible and the movement of the diaphragm increased. Gentle back bending and twisting poses keep the lungs soft and elastic, helping them work easily and efficiently.

Digestive system - The health of all the abdominal organs is promoted by yoga poses. There are poses that gently stimulate these organs, so they are strengthened and work better. Twisting poses squeeze the abdominal organs and keep them soft and supple. Absorption of nutrients and elimination of waste is improved by regular practice of yoga. Obviously, diet is a huge factor in digestive health. Doing yoga over time helps one make healthier choices about what to eat and what not to eat.

Nervous system - We all get depleted over time, but yoga can refresh one's nervous system. Even a relatively simple pose like "downward-facing dog pose", done with steady breathing, strengthens and steadies the nervous system. Standing poses help improve neuronal feedback and so one's balance and poise improve. "Restorative poses" that are supine and passive soothe the nervous system, clear the mind and renew the body. The yoga relaxation at the end of a yoga practice sets the body's metabolism on an even keel, and fosters calm energy.

Immune system - The negative effects of stress on the immune system have been scientifically proven. As yoga helps remove stress from the body, the defence system of the body works more effectively. Because one's circulation improves through doing yoga regularly, bone marrow gets pumped with fresh supplies of blood that enhance good immune cell production. One is less susceptible to infections.

Joints, muscles, and bones - Standing poses are so valuable for all the joints of the body especially ankles, legs, and hips. One's muscles are toned too. The spine is gradually becomes more supple and can move in all directions with the help of twists, gentle back bends and forward stretches. Yoga poses help create space in the joints, whereas "stress sports" can compress and jar them.

The use of yoga "props" help older people adapt to poses that may otherwise be beyond them. Many poses become easily accessible by the use of props like bolsters, blankets, blocks, belts, and yoga mats. Hence stress and strain to one's body are reduced; people can work at their own levels.

Older yoga students tend to give themselves to the discipline more wholeheartedly because they have more at stake and can see improvements happen very quickly. Yoga acts as a natural high, lifts one mood, and increases confidence in doing exercise. Thus, people who have never done yoga, of any age, can take up this tried and true method for their health and fitness.

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