Yoga Offers Benefits to People with Mobility Issues

Yoga offers benefits to people with mobility issues, including both physical and mental advantages. From decreased risk of a fall and subsequent injury to lowered stress and improved mood, yoga is a fitness regimen that can be adapted and implemented widely.

If you struggle with debilitating mobility issues or if you are recovering from injury, low-impact exercise may offer relief, improve range-of-motion, and hasten rehabilitation. The beauty of yoga is that it doesn’t require expensive equipment or a high level of athleticism; yoga is for everyone!

Yoga offers benefits to people with mobility issues:

It is always advised that you speak with a physician before embarking on any physical fitness regime. Talk to your provider about implementing yoga into your routine, recovery, or rehabilitation. Some benefits of yoga include:

Flexibility

Yoga is effective at increasing flexibility, which can aid in mobility. With regular practice, you will be amazed at how much range-of-motion can improve. This may also help to avoid situations that could cause injury, like a fall, for many seniors.

Balance

Many seniors lose their sense of balance over time, which can increase their risk of taking a nasty fall; it is estimated that one-in-four people over the age of 65 fall every year in this country. The improved balance provided by yoga offers some protection from falls and subsequent injuries.

Weight

Even though yoga is low-impact, it still offers a workout that increases metabolism, which aids in weight maintenance. It is also asserted that yoga offers cardio benefits, which is good news for anyone confined to their home.

Posture

With regular practice, yoga improves posture. You will stand taller and appear leaner; wait and see!

Joints

Yoga is an excellent and effective way to get relief from issues with joints, like knees or ankles, stemming from an injury or arthritis. Talk to your physician about joint relief through yoga, and what specific recommendations they have for you or your trainer.

Yoga is known as a holistic health approach, which means that it impacts physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Consider some of these other benefits of regular yoga practice, too:

Stress

Yoga can be very relaxing and improve your mood; it becomes cathartic the more familiar with the poses and practices you become. It is an effective form of stress-relief, preventing illnesses and mood disorders for individuals of all ages. Living with mobility issues can be stressful and challenging; yoga offers a healthy coping strategy and the perfect way to relax and battle the detrimental impacts of stress and worry.

Clarity

Many that practice yoga daily report that it improves their focus and ability to pay attention. Some say that they are able to concentrate better and that they experience a mental clarity that they have never attained before. These advantages of yoga make it a prudent preventative against the rigors of aging, such as memory loss or dementia. For this reason, it is well-worth implementing as part of your daily health regimen.

Confidence

Yoga can be very restorative and therapeutic, making you feel very vital. This vitality may lead to a new-found sense of confidence; who wouldn’t want to feel confident, vital, and alive? It can be an amazing way to restore self-esteem for those struggling with limitations, disabilities, or isolation.

Interaction

You may choose to take a beginning yoga class or work with a personal trainer or yogi, which are both excellent ways to increase social engagement; you can also join online groups or follow yogis that offer tutorials and videos for daily practice. This often increases social interactions for anyone- including those who don’t get out as much as they like. Professionals assert that socialization is an integral component of healthy aging and combats issues like depression or dementia as you get older.

Additionally, regular yoga practice can improve sleep and body awareness. It offers individuals the opportunity to ‘listen’ to their body and identify any problem areas or potential issues that might otherwise be ignored or overlooked. Talk to your yogi and health provider for more information and insight.

National Yoga Awareness in September

The Department of Health & Human Services conceived of the observance of National Yoga Awareness Month in September. This is a time set aside to learn, educate, and promote the health benefits of yoga while encouraging many toward a healthier lifestyle.

Ready to begin incorporating yoga into your life? Talk to your providers and professionals about the many benefits that daily yoga practice can have for individuals with mobility issues. When you want to learn more about assistive aids, devices, and equipment for autonomy and rehabilitation, reach out to Pacific Mobility; their team is waiting to help improve your quality of life today.