Five Yoga Poses for Healthy Aging

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Practicing yoga regularly can strengthen your body, improve your flexibility, boost your mood, and increase your energy levels, which makes it an excellent exercise for aging gracefully and staying healthy as you get older. Anyone can do yoga, and there are many different poses to choose from. Plus, you can modify them if you cannot do the pose perfectly.

Here are five yoga poses that keep you healthy, active, and feeling your best as you age:

Downward-Facing Dog

This pose is a classic in just about every type of yoga practice, and it’s one of the best for increasing strength and flexibility in the shoulders, back, hamstrings, wrists, and calves.

To do this pose, start on the floor on all fours. Put your hands directly under your shoulders. Put your knees directly under your hips. Then straighten your legs behind you while raising your hips. Raise them up toward the ceiling until you form an inverted “V” shape with your body. Hold this position. Breathe in deeply for several deep breaths before gently lowering yourself to the ground again.

Tree Pose

This one is great for improving balance and stability. When you have more balance, you will avoid falls. To do this pose correctly, stand with your feet together and spread your arms out to the sides. Your arms should be at shoulder height. Then shift your weight onto one foot and bring the other leg up toward your torso, bending it so that the sole of your foot lays against your inner thigh or calf. Hold this position. Breathe deeply in and out for several breaths before returning to a standing position and repeating on the other side.

Camel Pose

This pose can help increase flexibility in the back, chest, and abdomen, making it ideal for keeping aging muscles supple and limber. This pose starts on the ground with your knees hip-width apart. Now lean back and place your hands on the ground behind you. Next, lift your chest toward the ceiling as you press your hips forward, keeping your knees bent at a 90-degree angle. Hold this pose. Breathe in and out for several deep breaths before returning to kneeling and repeating.

Mountain Pose

This is another foundational pose that is great for increasing overall strength and stability in the body. It can also help improve posture by lengthening the spine and improving core strength. First, stand with your feet together. Put one hand against a wall for balance if needed. Next, slowly lift your heels so that you rise onto the balls of your feet. Be sure to maintain good posture with straight legs and arms at your sides. Hold this position. Breathe for several deep breaths before gently lowering yourself back to a regular standing position.

Chair Pose

This pose is excellent for improving flexibility in the hips and thighs, which can help you stay active and agile as you get older. Start this position with your feet together—arms at your sides. Then bend your knees slightly until they form a 90-degree angle with your torso. Hold this position for several deep breaths. Then return to standing and repeat on the other side.

Conclusion

By practicing yoga regularly, you can stay healthy, active, and feeling your best as you age. Whether you’re new or not, these five poses are a great way to start incorporating them into your regular exercise routine.

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Loving Life — The Reboot!

Dominique

This article provides general information and discussion about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this article, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.