How To Do Yoga For Seniors Video

Retirement is a time of rest and relaxation for seniors, however the elderly may be more susceptible to common ailments like arthritis and rheumatism. Yoga, however, restores vitality to seniors even if you aren't already flexible. Learn how to do yoga poses for seniors in this fitness video.

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Check with doctor
Tell instructor medical issues
Improve flexibility
Begin senior yoga with chair class

About this Author

Cindy Mastry has practiced yoga since the age of eight, and also has a background in Jazz and Ballet. Active in the fitness industry for nearly twenty years, she teaches aerobics, kickboxing, and yoga at many fitness centers in the Tampa Bay area. Cindy trained with 84 year-old Master Yogi Monk, Baba Hari Dass at the Mt. Madonna Center in California and owns/operates "Yoga Etc Studio" in St. Petersburg, Florida. Cindy teaches yoga to people of all ages and experience levels and at very competitive rates.

CINDY MASTRY: Namaste. As we age, our bones get a little more brittle. Our hips get a little tighter. Maybe we have that nagging pain in the back. Yoga can help with all of that. And it can help you be less at risk for falling by strengthening your muscles and toning your bones, making them stronger. Before you begin on any Yoga practice, you should check with your doctor. And if he's a good doctor he's going to tell you "Yoga will be great for you." And then you want to make sure that you let your instructor know of any issues that you have: If you have a bad back, "Have you had a hip replacement?" "Maybe a knee replacement?" "Maybe just a knee problem," so that they can know how to modify the poses for you. A restorative class or a chair class is a great place for a senior to start yoga if they have never had a practice before. Remember, you don't have to be flexible. It's not about flexibility; it's just about getting that blood flow to the places where it doesn't normally get in the course of your everyday goings-on. So we're just trying to keep the muscles and the bones healthy. And you want to make sure you don't try to compete with the person next to you. There's no competition in yoga. So you want to make sure you check with your doctor, let your instructor know of any issues you have. Remember, you don't have to be flexible, and don't compete. A chair yoga or restorative yoga class is a great place to start.

How to Do Yoga for Seniors Video

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