Here at Westminster Point Pleasant’s continuing care retirement community in Bradenton, you’ll discover that there is no shortage of ways to embrace both physical and mental fitness — whether you’re strolling about our beautiful grounds, working out at the fitness center, or enjoying a restorative swim. And one of our favorite ways to take care of both your mind and body? Yoga!
Yoga can be a hugely beneficial practice for people of all ages, but it’s a particularly wonderful choice for older adults who want to take positive steps toward a thriving, independent lifestyle they can feel good about. The benefits are countless — but we’re counting out ten below.
Relaxation
One of the most popular perks of yoga is, of course, the ability to relax and escape from the hustle and bustle of life. And it’s not just in your head! As Harvard Health notes, when done correctly, the practice of yoga can prompt the “relaxation response,” which includes lowered blood pressure and a better breathing rate. Many benefits linger beyond the actual yoga session, too, such as better sleep and improved mental health.
Mindfulness
Harvard Health also reports that the mindfulness you gain from yoga appears in other areas, too, such as making nutritious food choices.
Brain Changes
A 2021 study featured in the National Library of Medicine found that regular yoga practice was associated with physical changes in parts of the brain “implicated in aging-related cognitive decline.” For those who want to keep their mind as sharp as possible, it seems that yoga can make an anatomical difference!
Better Balance
Learning to master a yoga pose requires you to build up your balance, which can help you throughout your daily life and activities.
Heart Health
Harvard Health notes that studies have linked yoga to cardiovascular benefits — so it’s safe to say that your heart will thank you for taking up this meaningful practice!
Making Social Connections
Yoga works great as a solo routine — but if you take part in a group class, or meet up with friends to practice outdoors, it has a way of bringing people together.
An Adaptable Part Of Your Fitness Regimen
Yoga can be adapted to suit different ability levels, which makes it more accessible than many other fitness activities! For example, if you need a chair, you can absolutely adapt popular poses to meet that need with the help of an instructor.
It’s Easy To Get Started
You don’t need much equipment to get started with yoga! Yes, a colorful mat or yoga-ready wardrobe is great — but really, this practice requires very little of its participants beyond an open mind and willingness to learn.
Lifelong Learning
Here at Westminster Point Pleasant, we’re passionate about lifelong learning — and while that might typically mean learning about educational subject in a formal setting, it applies just as well to poses and concepts you learn in a group yoga class! Plus, this is a practice that dates back to ancient times — giving you a natural outlet to learn about culture and history, too.
The Power Of A Good Routine
Whether you’ve just moved into Westminster Point Pleasant or are looking for ways to ease back into your preferred lifestyle after a moment of transition, yoga can help you set a routine you feel good about — which is helpful for people of all ages!
Now that you’re more familiar with the many benefits of yoga, consult with your care team and consider trying it for yourself here at Westminster Point Pleasant! We can’t wait to see where this amazing practice takes you.
