As you age, remaining active can be difficult, but it will ultimately make you feel healthier and livelier in the long-run. When you retire to a senior living community, your newfound free time opens up more opportunities to exercise. Hobbies like yoga can give you a new recreational activity to enjoy while helping you stay healthy. The following guide explains the key benefits of yoga for people over 60.

Why Seniors Should Do Yoga

1. Build Strength & Balance

Exercise is essential at all ages, but it is critical for seniors to maintain strength and balance. Poor balance leads to falls, which can be difficult for older adults to recover from. Exercise programs that focus on balance training significantly reduce your risk of falling. The strengthening poses utilized in yoga will help you retain muscle mass and improve your balance, which could keep you on your feet well into your 80s and beyond.

2. Increase Flexibility

Aging naturally lowers your flexibility, making it harder to go about everyday tasks and live independently in a senior living community. However, as you build skills and experience practicing yoga, you’ll find your flexibility improving. Gently guided stretching increases your range of motion without straining you too hard. Certain yoga poses promote spinal flexibility and help reduce neck and back pain and stiffness.

3. Sharpen Your Mind

Meditation and breathing are significant aspects of yoga. As you take deep, calming breaths, you are encouraged to be mindful of your body and reflect. Pushing past the stress and staying centered keeps your mind focused and sharp. Research has shown that overall, yoga can improve your well-being and facilitate better sleep, moods, and body awareness.

4. Protect Your Bones & Joints

Bone mass decreases with age in a common chronic condition known as osteoporosis. With the right techniques, yoga can safely increase bone density. Daily practice may help reduce the risk of osteoporosis-related fractures or relieve pain caused by an existing fracture. If you have any bone conditions, let your yoga instructor know. They might have equipment aimed at strengthening bones and joints, like yoga straps or balls.

Practice yoga in the comfort and safety of a luxury apartment or condominium at Traditional Trades Inc. Located in La Crosse County, WI, this senior living community offers gorgeous properties for adults ages 55 and older. Take advantage of spacious living areas and convenient amenities like fitness rooms, media centers, heated underground parking, elevators, and a safe and friendly neighborhood. Contact them at (608) 783-4785 to learn more about this cozy retirement community. When you’re ready to start the move-in process, fill out a rental application online.