Yoga is not only something for millennials. It is an excellent form of physical and mental exercise that benefits all age groups. Even when it comes to seniors, they can easily still enjoy some of the benefits that come from a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle.
Yoga is one of the best ways to incorporate a healthy daily routine. Today, many elderly people have started to embrace this form of exercise as a way to strengthen their bodies and stay fit.
Plus, this form of exercise app is available for seniors on most mobile devices. The good ones have video demonstrations so that you can learn the RIGHT way to do the moves.
Free Yoga Apps For Seniors
1. Mighty Health
Mighty Health is one of the leading wellness and fitness programs that are specifically designed for individuals 50 and older. There are many programs to choose from that help users to improve their balance and mobility, lose weight, and to help them enjoy their golden years.
Mighty Health is an health app that manages the overall health of older adults that allows people to start their health journey with a library that contains workouts dedicated to all levels. These workouts include anything from chair yoga to knee strengthening.
The best part about this app is that you get to consult with expert health coaches that will help you to track your goals and stay motivated with unlimited 1-on-1 support.
2. FitStar Yoga
This app was developed by Tara Stiles, a well-known yoga instructor. The app provides complete personalized experiences to help users achieve their set goals. Individualized routines that match up to the “predetermined” fitness ambitions of the user are also captured in the app.
When you download this app, you can enter specified information so that it matches your day-to-day routine. The app then provides specialized guides with each practice session.
3. Down Dog
Down Dog is a free app that allows users to choose from 7 yoga instructors. The diversity and flexibility that this application brings are highly impressive.
The app also includes a 3-day introductory course that covers how to practice yoga, which focuses on improving your back posture. The options you will be getting from each instructor will also give you a better feel when it comes to choosing the workout that you prefer.
4. Simply Yoga
With more than 30 yoga moves to choose from, this app provides a healthy range of choices. With periodic 20, 40, and 60-minute instructional videos, you will be receiving all the tips and guidance that you will need to successfully practice yoga.
The layout is designed for the best understandability and could be your missing key to your fitness journey. This app is also available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
It is also very user-friendly, which means it is also easy for seniors to use. There are also fitness guides available for seniors that can help them to work toward a fit and healthy body.
This is an excellent app that caregivers can use to help the seniors under their care to achieve the maximum benefits that yoga has to offer.
What Type Of Yoga Is Best For Seniors?
When performed in the correct manner, yoga is said to balance the energy points or “chakras” in the body, which helps to maintain balanced mental wellness and health. Yoga is excellent for seniors, but it is still important to only try yoga poses after the senior has consulted with a doctor.
People with conditions like uterine prolapse, disk herniation, advanced arthritis, or glaucoma might have to avoid some of the yoga poses. Below are four popular yoga types for seniors that can help them to enjoy a range of health benefits:
1. Standing Yoga Poses
Triangle Pose or Trikonasana
- Helps to stretch and strengthen the hip region
- Assists with regulating blood pressure
Standing Spinal Twist or Katichakrasana
- Helps to prevent slouching and to keep the spine straighter
- Helps to strengthen the leg and arm muscles which encourages stability
2. Sitting Yoga Poses
Butterfly Pose or Badhakonasana
- Helps to regulate digestion and clear the bowel movements
- Stretches the knees and thighs, reducing joint pain and stiffness
Child Pose or Shishuasana
- Helps relieve backache and keeps the back relaxed
Cat-stretch Pose or Marjariasana
- Reduces stiffness that is common with age and can help make the spine a lot more flexible
- Improves digestion
- Lowers back pain
- Relaxes the mind
- Promotes blood circulation
- Tones the stomach
3. Lying Down Yoga Poses
Cobra Pose or Bhujangasana
- Strengthen the shoulders and back
- Improves blood circulation
Locust Posture or Shalabhasana
- Tones the back and neck muscles, which helps to increase flexibility
- Improves digestion
Wind Relieving Pose or Pawanmuktasana
- Helps to relieve digestive problems and releases gas
- Increases blood circulation around the hip joints, which helps to release or relieve tension in these areas
4. Chair Yoga Poses
Also known as “desktop” yoga poses, these moves are more comfortable and convenient since you can perform the exercise while seated in a chair.
Neckroll, seated-forward bend, seated-spinal twist, temple run, and eagle arms are yoga poses in a chair that provide impressive health benefits such as:
- Relaxing the back and neck muscles
- Helps alleviate body fatigue, tension, and pain
- Improves balance
- Increases flexibility
- Increases muscle strength
RELATED: The Best Stretching Apps For Seniors
Is Yoga Suitable For The Elderly?
Yoga is an excellent physical workout for older adults, and it also offers great benefits for the mind. Yoga is one of the popular activities for seniors since they are in control over the pace.
Some are apprehensive about yoga, and some even fear the risks of injury. Fortunately, the risks associated with yoga are minimal.
It is also important for seniors to take it easy, which is the most important universal rule relating to yoga. This also applies to any other type of exercise which you decide to do outdoors or at home.
If you classify yourself as a total beginner, then it would be best to begin with positions known as asanas and slowly ease into the practice. Over time, these exercises will help you to build strength, become fitter, and embrace and truly enjoy your increased or newfound flexibility.
They also get to choose the difficulty level, which ranges from difficult movements like Ashtanga Yoga to more gentle movements like Yin Yoga.
just trying to get moving