It’s not a new discovery that yoga is an incredible workout that can help you achieve sculpted muscles, more toned abs, and increased flexibility. But is it the key to staying young?
Let’s talk aging. It’s more than just getting grayer or more wrinkled. Your heart becomes less efficient especially if you have led a sedentary lifestyle or have a poor diet. Your heart has to work harder to pump blood through your stiffening vessels and arteries. Regular physical activity like yoga can help offset this.
Changes in sleep and circadian rhythm can also occur as we age. You may find yourself sleeping less at night or not as deeply. Getting quality sleep will help repair your heart and blood vessels. Your bones also weaken with age and are more susceptible to fractures. Weight-bearing poses like arm balances, inversions, and standing poses can help.
Memory changes, especially short-term recall of names and dates, are a normal part of the aging process. You can engage in social activities like yoga classes so your brain keeps learning new things. Yoga will help increase blood and oxygen to the brain and that will keep you sharp! The following poses can help keep you toned and flexible.
- Goddess Pose
- Neck Rolls
- Side Bend
- Leg Lifts
An object in motion stays in motion. If you practice doing yoga inversions every single day, you’ll be doing handstands when you’re 99 years old. If you don’t use it, you lose it! Learn more about this ancient practice from fitness expert Sara Fowler, RN, featured in our Yoga Series.