Ageless Yoga for Seniors

B.K.S. Iyengar, one of the world’s greatest yoga teachers, does not refer to old age anywhere in his books - because your age is irrelevant when it comes to yoga.  He should know, he is now 90, healthy, happy, energetic, even fierce, and still teaching! Ruth White, who trained with Iyengar is one of Europe’s top yoga teachers and is also now of pensionable age, although to meet her you’d never believe it! She remains healthy, strong, supple and graceful and still is working. Viva Silverthorne, who teaches classes in County Wicklow for Yogatree, is in her 60s and has the ease of movement of a teenager! Her teaching is precise and encouraging. She can inspire anyone from complete beginners who take up yoga later in life to seasoned professionals who have been practicing for decades! Viva Silverthorne is one of our Yogatree teachers, also an example to all of us of radiant health.  These are sparking seniors.  Are you?

These pensioners, and thousands like them, are proof that yoga is for everyone, of any age, even for the elderly and especially for those suffering with chronic health challenges.  Yoga is helpful for arthritis sufferers as it can improve circulation which can reduce the stiffness, swelling and pain of arthritis.  It is also excellent for improving the discomfort of digestive disorders caused by inactivity. Yoga is used in hospitals in the US to aid recovery of patients with heart disease. There are yoga postures that are helpful for high blood pressure, and breathing techniques which will leave you feeling refreshed, increase your lung capacity and cleanse the air passages which can help prevent respiratory ailments.

If you are feeling your age - whatever age you are and want to be maybe be just a little bit more flexible or just a bit stronger, or have just slightly better balance, then join a yoga class near you to get some tips for the elderly, (or the not so young) on how to improve your overall wellbeing and lift your mood.

Yoga always works on the spine and therefore improves blood flow to vital organs. It is superb for hands and feet, preventing clawing, relieving pain and thereby improving mobility, confidence and independence.

Some people think yoga is “weird” or “eccentric” or it is about wrapping your legs around your head.  The truth is: Yoga compresses and stretches, targeting specific areas of the body from the blood and bone to organs and connective tissue.  No one is excluded, everyone can benefit from a mild yoga practice, expertly taught.  No matter your age or state of health, there are appropriate levels of yoga for every individual’s ability. 

Yogatree offers a number of innovative, flowing yoga routines that are safe as exercise for all ages and shapes, including seniors and people with injuries, illnesses, or disabilities.  Ageless Yoga classes provide thorough work-outs that are gently challenging - and include chair yoga routines. Our oldest yogini is 90 and she started doing yoga for the first time in her life in the spring 2009!