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The Benefits of Yoga in Older Age


Is yoga only for young people?


people sitting in meditation on the floor doing yoga in a light room with windows behind

Some might assume yoga is only for the fit, young and flexible. However, more and more evidence is coming out proving the benefits of yoga for people of all ages.


Yoga is an ancient practice for the mind, body and soul, regardless of your age. The physical postures alone can



be adapted into a low-impact, gentle form of movement for anyone’s particular physical needs. In fact, as over the years as we progress into older age and the body becomes less flexible, stable and mobile, yoga can be an incredible tool to help regain those movements that might have become more challenging over times.


If you are in your 60s or beyond, perhaps you have realised you can no longer get up and down from the floor so easily or need to sit in a chair to put on your socks and shoes. These seemingly simple tasks are something we take for granted, until one day, it’s no longer possible. A well-planned and frequent yoga practice could help you get towards moving through daily tasks with more ease and maintain a healthy level of mobility into your seventh, eighth and ninth decades.


Key Benefits of a Safe and frequent practice of yoga include:


- Increased mental wellbeing - this is especially important for older people living alone, who are more likely to experience low mood and lonliness

- Increased physical and emotional resilience

- Maintenance of mobility and flexibility in the joints

- Strengthened muscles

- Reduction in chronic pain

- Improved core strength


If you have any questions about yoga in older age, or trying 1:1 yoga in your home in Buckinghamshire or Oxfordshire, or on zoom if you live further afield, please don’t hesitate to send me an email to ilona@yogawithilona.com


For information about group classes for mixed levels, head to www.yogawithilona.com


If you are older and looking for a gentle way to start yoga, why not try this chair yoga flow on youtube? https://youtu.be/vIwyzlpCnqs?si=ePXDY8rJd5Rdh1Cf




Written by Ilona Ecott


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