Have you felt like you are getting older lately? Have you noticed a few more wrinkle or grey hairs? Maybe you are waking up with a stiff back or achy joints. I know I have been feeling it more often, especially the soreness in my lower back.
According to ayurveda, as you age and begin moving into your forties vata dosha becomes more prominent. After the age of 50 but especially after the age of 60, the vata stage of life inevitably kicks in and many people begin to suffer from diseases and conditions related to the muscles, bones, ligaments and joints. In addition to physical ailments, many people as they age begin to experience increased anxiety levels.
In my experience as a yoga therapist and ayurvedic practitioner, yoga postures can help prevent but also help treat muscle imbalances, bone conditions, structural distortions and degeneration of bone tissue as you get older. In addition the yoga postures help to ground your energy and calm your mind, thus decreasing anxiety.
There is more and more research showing how yoga prevents and to some degree can even reverse conditions like osteoporosis. In my experience as a yoga teacher over the last 20 years, I have had a few elderly ladies who came to my classes and claimed that it helped them significantly with their osteoporosis.
So, practicing yoga postures as you age can give you physical strength and help build tissues throughout your whole body. This also helps you to become more secure and confident which translates into better mental health.
The yoga postures when practiced in the proper way and and in the right environment helps to relieve forms of vata conditions such as constant feeling of cold, slower metabolism, stiff & cracking joints, muscle tightness and tensions, chronic stress and anxiety.
In my opinion, yoga is the best form of exercise as you age and it should be practiced in a strong but gentle and slow manner, avoiding strain and pain, which can cause injury.
Structural considerations of Yoga therapy
Structural factors include specific postural problems, misalignment of bones (especially the hips and back) and other structural deviations caused by aging, lifestyle habits, previous accidents and injuries.
Special attention should be given to yourself, especially if you suffer from scoliosis, arthritis, sciatica, SI joint problems, fused bones, brittle bones and osteoporosis.
Although aging is a factor, anyone at any given time of their life may develop some of these conditions, so this treatment and consideration of yoga therapy should be applied to all types of people and bodies.
In order to apply yoga therapy properly and consider structural misalignment it is important to have knowledge in anatomy, physiology and bio-mechanics. Consulting a yoga therapist or an experienced yoga instructor that has this knowledge is essential.
In addition to the yoga postures you can incorporate ayurvedic diet principles and foods that are good for your constitution. This will enhance the benefits and increase longevity, health and wellness.