Looking to get out and be social? Want a fun activity to try? We’ve got you covered with our monthly activity article.
Each month we will highlight a different activity or event for grown-ups to get out and try. The idea is to get a group of people together to socialize, have fun, and try something new.
Yoga is tremendously popular and there is no surprise why – it is a low impact workout that produces significant results. From a calming atmosphere to improving one’s flexibility and strength, we’ve got 5 reasons adults aged 50 plus should sign up for a yoga class this month.
- For the Exercise. Yoga is much easier on the body than running or lifting weights. The practice helps improve flexibility, endurance and strength through various poses and use of your own body weight.
- Improved Balance and Stability. As mentioned above yoga helps to strengthen the muscles, in turn, this can help improve balance, lessening the likelihood of falls as you age.
- Keeps the Mind Sharp. Scientists have found the brains of senior female yoga practitioners to have “greater cortical thickness in the left prefrontal cortex.” This area is associated with cognitive functions such as attention and memory. These results suggest that practicing yoga may be a way to protect against cognitive decline as we age.
- Relief from Chronic Pain. It is common for older adults to suffer from chronic pain in their joints and muscles, luckily yoga has been found to help with pain in these areas. In fact, a study from the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center found that after only 4 weeks of yoga, participants needed less pain medication.
- The Social Element. While yoga can be done anywhere including in a studio, at a park, or at home, we suggest getting out to a class. Having something to do at a scheduled time helps ensure you complete the activity, but will also get you out of the house and meeting new people. Not to mention, you will receive proper instruction from a certified teacher.
If you’ve always been fairly active and are in good physical shape, yoga may come easier for you. However, that is not a requirement to start. Many studios offer classes specifically for beginners or have sessions tailored to older adults. It’s also important to know that you can always sit in resting child’s pose or take a seated meditation if a posture is too difficult. Everyone has to start somewhere, so don’t push yourself. You will be a practiced yogi before you know it.
Find people to take a class with through Amintro, the social app designed exclusively for those 50 plus. Membership to Amintro is free and you can register on our website or download the app from Google Play. For more Pastime Pursuits follow us on Twitter: @AmintroFriends, or like us on Facebook: AmintroFriends.
By Christine Tompa
