I had a back injury and was able to recover using yoga and walking and a good chiropractor. It has been a wonderful part of my life. As a teacher, I use it with my students and they enjoy it,too. Even when my knees went out last year (from another injury), I did the poses I could do, and waited until my knees healed to do others.
You just have to do what you can do. No one wants to be limited when they get older because they did not do what they could when they could. You will really enjoy it if you take it slow.
- What you need is a good yoga teacher. If you can afford it, take a private class and get a custom practice going.
- If a private class is not an option, look for a yoga place that has a variety of classes and instructors.
- You have the power to only do poses to the extent that you can do them; i.e. without injuring yourself. We have a tendency to be competitive, or want to please the instructor or show the person next to us we can stretch as far as they can, but yoga is not a competitive sport!
- Look for classes that say “restorative yoga” or ones that are designed for people with back problems. Most larger studios have them.
- Ask the receptionist which instructor takes it slow and really takes the time to explain how to do the poses correctly and adjust them if necessary.
- Also, there are many kinds of yoga. Ashtanga is flowing and faster – not for someone starting out. Iyengar is the best, I think, for someone wanting to avoid injury, as it is precise and slow, and you can use props like blocks and straps to ease into poses.
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Do not hide your light so that others won't feel insecure around you. And as you let your light shine, you unconsciously give others the right to do the same.
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i want yoga for seniors since i am not flexible at all but need to stretch.
The more you do it, the more flexible you will become. As Mary2 said, just do what you can. It’s great for you, keeps your muscles & joints limber.
I started practicing yoga when I was in my mid-twenties…can’t belive I stopped in my thirties.Now in my late 50′s…I have found Kundalini Yoga, a cd that I do at home by Gurhumuk. Last Labor Day, my daughter,37, discovered Kirtan Yoga. Her chanting has sustained her and moved her through a most challenging phase of her life.One of my favorite artists is Deva Premal and Miten. I, too, have benefitted from this aspect of Yoga. The sound works on our vibrations, the same way the stretches and movements work on our muscles and organs. http://www.spiritvoyage has tons of wonderful chants, mantras and info.Enjoy
If you can find a ‘Svaroopa’ yoga teacher (they’re all across the country, but not in every town) I GUARANTEE you can do it, and your back will thank you for it. It’s all about healing. No crazy bendy positions, just an opening (gentle) of the back from the sacrum to the neck. You are never stressed, they ‘prop’ you with pillows and rolled blankets, and you feel supported and fully opened. I lost a pant size in 3 months just doing this and it’s because the stress was released (it was a very stressful time for me in my life as well). Also you need to re-check your blood pressure and cholesterol after 3 months, so you won’t be over-medicated. Try it….
The thing that’s so interesting about how yoga has become popularized in this country is that the physical aspect was intended to simply be a preparation for the deeper meditative practice.
The younger generation has turned it into a replacement for aerobics, and that’s why there’s so much injury issues nowadays. When a balanced simply practice is coupled with a real meditation process the physical body responds and gradually gives up its tension. Then more advanced postures can come later. This was the ancient process.
Unfortunately this wisdom has been almost lost in our interpretation in the US and people thing yoga is an exercise regime.
Check out Isha Yoga that has been designed by a true yoga master from India. It is a simple powerful mediation technique that is balanced with specific postures to enhance the experience of accessing something calmer and quite inspiring within.