5 Unexpected Benefits of Yoga as We Get Older

Have you considered doing Yoga?

 

Making Happy Cat Fun Earrings

Are you thinking about doing yoga?  Excellent!  Maybe you’re feeling crappy, having difficulty sleeping and are somewhat irritable.  Are your days somewhat stressful and are you feeling rather sad. Did someone tell you it was just part and parcel of the ageing process?

Maybe it’s time to make a change?  To do something that will elevate and eliminate these negative feelings you’ve been having.

I do Yoga almost every day, and I’m over 60!

Years ago I did yoga weekly at a local yoga studio, but it was such a hassle getting there in rush hour traffic.  I started going less and less, always finding a good excuse to skip the session.  About a year later I started to feel pretty crappy.  I was having difficulty sleeping and was irritable.  My days seemed somewhat stressful and I was feeling rather sad.  I thought it was aging.  When my doctor told me I was fine, I knew my body was trying to tell me something.

I had to make a change, so I decided to get back into yoga.  To keep it simple I did yoga at home with an on-line video.  I enjoyed the on-line class and did it again the following day, and then a few days after that.  I was enjoying the freedom of doing yoga whenever I wanted, and surprisingly I was feeling good.  I was upbeat and happier.  I was handling problems with ease, not bothered by the small things that had been irritating me.

Was it the yoga!  I did some research and found 2 things that were responsible: one was the breathing technique, and the second was the effect of mindfulness.

  • img_2800Yoga or Ujjayi breathing involves deep inhalations and slow exhalations controlled by a narrowing of the throat passage and repeated through the yoga session. It is often called “ocean breath” as the out-breath produces a wave-like sound.  Many researchers have found this breathing reduces stress and helps strengthen our mind-body connection.
  • Mindfulness is living in the moment. We are mindful when we focus on the present and on our physical and mental selves.  During yoga we are in a mindfulness state as our attention is on our breathing and how we are feeling as we move through the yoga positions.  Being mindful, according to scientists, has both emotional and physical benefits in addition to stress relief, increased patience, and a more positive attitude.

Yoga was taking on a whole new meaning in my life.  Not only was I feeling so much better, many aspects of my life were improving.

My 5 unexpected benefits from practicing yoga are:

1 – Stronger Mind – I was able to better focus and had more control of my thoughts.  This enhanced mental control helped me understand with more clarity.  I was making better decisions, as I was more aware of my options and analyzing them in a more focused way.  Yoga had strengthened my mind.

2 – Stronger Body Movements – I was becoming much more flexible and agile.  My posture was improving and my hips weren’t painful as before.  My body was balanced and getting stronger.  I felt my walk was more relaxed and natural without the hip pain.  At 61 I’m no spring chicken, but I think I now have a spring in my step!

3 – Strengthened Mind-Body Connection – I seem to be better able to control my emotions.  I’m more relaxed and calm.  I’m enjoying the moment and not constantly worrying about ‘what if’.  Sure things can still be stressful, but now I can handle them in stride by doing what I can, and not

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Mr. Pu in his favourite Yoga position

worrying about what I can’t do.  I find myself using Ujjayi breathing to relax through any stress, as I think happy thoughts and smile it all away.  And this works!

4 – Increased Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence – I’m more positive with how I see myself.  Sure there are things I don’t like, but that’s okay, as there is a lot of good in me too.  I’m proud of where I am in my life.  If people want to judge me, well that’s their prerogative, but I’m not going to worry about this any more.

5 – Improved Sleep and Reduced Fatigue – I’m sleeping through the night more than I was before.  And because I’m sleeping better, I’m feeling refreshed when I wake up and less fatigued during the day.  I’ve even eliminated that mid-afternoon nap.  That’s when I’m rolling out my yoga mat…

Yoga has improved my overall quality of life.  The positions, along with the special breathing and the state of mindfulness during the practice, have helped me become mentally and physically stronger.  I feel more in control, I have more confidence, and it feels good.  Yoga has helped me focus my thoughts so I can better analyze my options, assess my abilities and understand the consequences of my choices.  I can see myself as I am, and I do like what I see.

Wow, did yoga really do all that?  Absolutely, so roll out your yoga mat and start feeling terrific too!

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This article was published originally published in Sixty and Me, a website and newsletter specializing in being passionate about living well, embracing change, trying new things, meeting new friends and exploring new lifestyles.  Please click the following link to access my article  The 5 Unexpected Benefits of Yoga as we Get Older.

I’d love to hear any comments you may have, please use the comments section/box below to contact me.

It’s all good!

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