People practice yoga for various reasons. Some love the physical challenge of holding poses, others love the mental benefits of focusing on the moment, and many folks simply love all of the perks that yoga has to offer. No matter your reason for practicing, though, there comes a time when you are ready to take your regimen to the next stage. So if you’re a senior who’s ready to power up your yoga routine, here are some powerful tools and tips that can help you out.
Gadgets and Gizmos
If the hardest part of yoga is finding time to make it to class, think about investing in a streaming device that you can easily plug into your TV. For the budget-savvy buyers, there are several models to consider, so cost is an easily-solved issue. Plus, high-quality speakers are the only other thing you need to pair with your device for optimal sound, and if you love to travel, you can easily pack a portable player so you never miss a class and stay in the groove.
An added bonus of using a streaming player for your home yoga practice is that paying for the service and the required internet is still less than most yoga classes or studio memberships. You can also use your device to follow along with senior-friendly yoga classes, or any other offerings that fit your current needs and goals.
There’s another gadget you probably already have, and it shouldn’t be overlooked. A smartphone allows access to mobile applications that keep you connected and allow you to explore new poses and yoga styles. Most apps offer free trial periods or free user options, but you can always upgrade your app subscription if you find yourself craving more helpful tools and challenging yoga classes.
Mixing and Matching
The high you feel after yoga can be tough to beat, but if you really want to build strength for your practice, consider cross-training. Cross-training with various strength and cardio workouts helps you build the muscle, the balance and the stamina needed to progress further in yoga practice. Plus, Sixty and Me points out seniors who strength train tend to retain more muscle mass, which can help prevent falls and make everyday tasks, like rising from a seated position, less challenging.
You can get strengthening benefits by lifting weights in the gym, or you can even use yoga blocks to build more muscle and balance. Working with your body weight and your blocks, try a few different moves to help strengthen your glutes, triceps and other muscles needed for healthy aging. If you want to build more core strength, add an inexpensive exercise ball to your workout routine for some more focused balance and strength workouts.
Use Modifications and Props for a Safer Yoga Practice
Many yoga enthusiasts make the mistake of assuming that yoga is a risk-free form of physical exercise. While yoga can be a gentle way to recover from injuries and overcome physical limitations, Healthline points out that yoga can lead to injuries. It’s key to remember, however, that most yoga injuries occur when people try to push their bodies too hard during practice or ignore physical limitations.
With that in mind, seniors who are looking to increase their strength and balance with more yoga should research various yogi props and pose modifications, to create a truly personal, safe yoga practice. If you have any injuries to your lower body, balance concerns, or are living with a disability, a chair practice can help you get the benefits of yoga without any of the risks. If you find yourself slipping all over the mat, especially in hot yoga, a grippy yoga towel can improve your traction.
Set Up Your Space
Starting a home studio is a great way to bolster your yoga practice. This starts with finding a space you can dedicate to yoga, and one that can also function as a meditation space. Even if you live in a small apartment, you can carve out an area for your yoga. Start by cleaning and decluttering in order to clear the area of any negativity. Then figure out the best spot for your mat, invest in the yoga props mentioned above, and add some extras like an oil diffuser or a salt lamp. Anything to set the ambience so you feel more comfortable and in the right headspace.
If practicing at home doesn’t work for you, exploring a yoga class can be a great way to spend time with a good friend. There’s also a number of benefits to exercising with a partner. You can have fun thinking about old memories and creating new ones together.
Taking your yoga practice to a deeper level can be a powerful way to gain more benefits for your strength, balance and overall wellness. Just be sure to use the proper tools and techniques, so that you can also avoid an injury, and take it slow as you try new poses and classes. Above all, remember to stay patient with yourself, because as with any other new practice or fitness routine, it really does take time to see and feel improvements.
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