Yoga for Older People

Older people need to keep their muscles moving the same as anyone else or they will lose their strength. Yoga is an excellent way to accomplish this. Older people also need to move around for a feeling of well-being.

Yoga Stretches

· Start by deep breathing and counting to ten as you inhale. Get fresh air to your brain.

· Slowly raise both hands into the air and hold for the count of ten.

· Stretch the right hand over your head and feel your side stretching. Slowly lower. Now the left hand.

· Take a deep breath while thinking of sunshine on your face.

· Look up, look to the right and left and look down for ten seconds each to stretch your neck muscles.

· Now extend your arms out in front of you and make a fist. Release the fist into straight fingers. Do this ten times slowly.

· Take hands and face them palms up and then palms down slowly ten times. You can feel your hands and wrists stretch.

· Now gently touch each finger to the thumb on both hands at the same time if you are able. Do this ten times to stretch your fingers.

· Slowly do wrist circles inward and outward to the count of ten for each. Release the tension.

· Take your hands and touch each shoulder at the same time. Slowly up and down ten times.

· Take a deep breath and smile.

· Put hands in front of you as if praying. Close your eyes and clear your mind for one minute.

· While sitting down turn to your right, middle and left. Feel this in your waist as you slowly turn. Do this ten times.

· Time to focus on the lower body. While sitting down slowly lift up your right leg straightening it at the knee. Do this five times. You can feel the burn of the stretch. If this is too painful do not do this exercise as with all of the exercises. Use your own discretion.

· Lift your right foot and do ankle circles forwards and backwards ten times each. Switch to the left foot and repeat.

· Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Exhale slowly.

· Take both feet and "stand" on your tip toes to do calf raises. Imagine you are a child trying to look out of a window at a rainbow.

· Think calming thoughts while you wiggle your toes. You may be walking in the warm sand with a gentle breeze on your face.

Summary

Slow moves, stretches and thoughts will ease your mind and stress away. Deep breaths are good for your soul.