Online Yoga is Great for Mind, Body and Spirit

Anyone wanting to get fit or stay fit after 50 knows they need to be “strong enough to bend,” as the saying goes – and that’s never been more true than now.

We’re all making countless adjustments in our everyday routines during the coronavirus crisis. And it’s at times like these that we should keep an eye open for opportunities to try something new.

For instance, if you don’t have much experience with yoga, this might be an ideal time to take some introductory lessons. Even if you’re an experienced yogi, online classes are readily available, safe and effective.

It’s Great for Balance and Flexibility

Balance and flexibility are among the key facets of physical fitness. And just like cardiovascular endurance and strength, they diminish with age unless we work on them.

Working on balance and flexibility helps prevent falls, which can be disastrous later in life. And just like it’s never too late to start working on them, it’s also never too soon. Anyone engaged in fitness should include stretching in his or her routine, whether beginning or experienced. Now that we’re all spending more time at home, we have to double our efforts to exercise at home and via online video tools like Zoom.

Plus, stretching feels good. It lowers stress, and improves posture and circulation. It helps us perform everyday activities, like bending over and turning our heads. You can work on it every day around the house and at work.

Yoga Is Popular and Effective

Almost 40 million Americans enjoy yoga’s health benefits, according to the 2016 Yoga in America Study.

About one-fifth are in their 50s, and another one-fifth are over 60.

Yoga is great for strength and bone density, as well as balance. It helps with back pain, blood pressure and anxiety. The focus on breathing is simple and profoundly beneficial for the mind, body and spirit.

Yoga goes hand-in-hand with meditation and practicing mindfulness – all great ways to manage stress, relieve depression, and improve mood.

You don’t need any special equipment, and you can do it anywhere, although we recommend a few classes, at least, to start with.

And, super-important for people over 50: Yoga is highly adaptable to everyone’s physical needs and limitations. Let your instructor know about any aches, arthritis, surgeries, etc. – and he or she will guide you to a modification.

General tips for stretching

Whether with us online or alone at home, remember to stretch for at least 15 minutes a day, three times a week. For a nice introduction to some basic movements, check out this from the National Institute on Aging.

Remember, also:

• Before any stretching, take a 5-minute walk to warm up.
• Keep breathing while you stretch.
• Give time to your calves, front and back thighs, hips, lower and upper back, chest, shoulders and neck. If you’ve had surgery, talk to your doctor first.

Let’s all stay flexible in our bodies – and in our lives.

Exercise Improves Arthritis Symptoms to Help You Move and Feel Better

Arthritis affects more than 350 million people around the world, and it’s a leading cause of disability.

Arthritis is the swelling and tenderness of one or more of your joints. The main symptoms are joint pain and stiffness, and they usually get worse as we get older.

The good news is: Exercise can help.

In fact, “Exercise is crucial for people with arthritis,” as the Mayo Clinic puts it. Exercise improves strength and flexibility. It reduces joint pain. And it lessens fatigue.

“Even moderate exercise can ease your pain and help you maintain a healthy weight. When arthritis threatens to immobilize you, exercise keeps you moving.”

May is National Arthritis Awareness Month in the US, with messages that apply globally.

First, some statistics:

• About 53 million adults have arthritis; almost 300,000 minors (including babies) have some form of it.
• It’s the No. 1 cause of disability.
• People with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis –two major kinds of arthritis – miss a combined 172 million workdays every year.
• 57% of adults with heart disease have arthritis.
• 52% of adults with diabetes have arthritis.
• 44% of adults with high blood pressure have arthritis.
• 36% of adults who are obese have arthritis.

Let us show you how working out improves your health and fitness – and it doesn’t have to hurt your joints. We can strengthen the muscles around your joints; improv your bone strength; give you more energy; and improve your balance.

And no, exercise won’t make the joint pain and stiffness worse. When you don’t exercise, your connective muscles get weak, putting more strain on your joints – causing more arthritis pain.

Sources: Global RA Network, The Arthritis Foundation