Yoga for Older Adults

At Flip The Dog, we have chosen to focus on the needs of older adults – adults who can benefit greatly from a regular yoga practice but who may otherwise not have access to a class due to health or economic circumstances.

Daily physical activity prevents the onset of many common ailments as well as reduces symptoms of many chronic conditions. While it is important that adults stay active as they age, the form of activity may need to change over time.

In May 2008, Medco Health Systems, Inc. stated that 51% of all insured Americans are taking drugs to treat chronic health conditions – drugs to lower blood pressure and cholesterol being the most common. Among seniors, 28% of women and 22% of men take 5 or more medications daily. The majority of conditions medications are being taken for are linked to obesity and lifestyle.

While there are many forms of physical exercise that can be enjoyed at different life stages, yoga is unique in that it is a holistic system that can be adapted to the individual throughout life to provide mental, physical and spiritual benefits.

Flip The Dog is working with Adult Day Health Centers, Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing, and Rehabilitation Facilities to develop unique yoga programs to serve their residents, clients, staff and care partners. We also offer individualized instruction at home as well.

Drawing on the Structural Yoga Therapy® Joint Freeing Series, a chair yoga-based program is offered for adults who have difficulty standing independently, have limited stamina while standing, or who have challenges with balance or getting up and down off of the floor.

For adults who have greater ease with standing and flexibility for getting up and down from the floor a mat-based or chair-based program with standing poses using the wall or a chair is offered.

Depending on the needs of the group, the focus of the class can be geared more toward the physical components, the meditative components, or to balance both.

For more excellent information on the benefits of yoga, please read this article.

Physiological Benefits of Yoga

• Stable autonomic nervous system equilibrium
• Pulse rate decreases
• Respiratory rate decreases
• Blood Pressure decreases (of special significance for hyporeactors)
• Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) increases
• EEG - alpha waves increase (theta, delta, and beta waves also increase during various stages of meditation)
• EMG activity decreases
• Cardiovascular efficiency increases
• Respiratory efficiency increases
• Gastrointestinal function normalizes
• Endocrine function normalizes
• Excretory functions improve
• Musculoskeletal flexibility and joint range of motion increase
• Breath-holding time increases
• Joint range of motion increase
• Grip strength increases
• Eye-hand coordination improves
• Dexterity skills improve
• Reaction time improves
• Posture improves
• Strength and resiliency increase
• Endurance increases
• Energy level increases
• Weight normalizes
• Sleep improves
• Immunity increases
• Pain decreases
• Steadiness improves
• Depth perception improves
• Balance improves
• Integrated functioning of body parts improves

Psychological Benefits of Yoga

• Somatic and kinesthetic awareness increase
• Mood improves and subjective well-being increases
• Self-acceptance and self-actualization increase
• Social adjustment increases
• Anxiety and Depression decrease
• Hostility decreases
• Concentration improves
• Memory improves
• Attention improves
• Learning efficiency improves
• Symbol coding improves
• Depth perception improves
• Flicker fusion frequency improves

Biochemical Benefits of Yoga

• Glucose decreases
• Sodium decreases
• Total cholesterol decreases
• Triglycerides decrease
• HDL cholesterol increases
• LDL cholesterol decreases
• VLDL cholesterol decreases
• Cholinesterase increases
• Catecholamines decrease
• ATPase increases
• Hematocrit increases
• Hemoglobin increases
• Lymphocyte count increases
• Total white blood cell count decreases
• Thyroxin increases
• Vitamin C increases
• Total serum protein increases

Yoga Health Benefits versus Exercise Benefits

• Yoga Benefits
  
  • Parasympathetic Nervous System dominates
  • Subcortical regions of brain dominate
  • Slow dynamic and static movements
  • Normalization of muscle tone
  • Low risk of injuring muscles and ligaments
  • Low caloric consumption
  • Effort is minimized, relaxed
  • Energizing (breathing is natural or controlled)
  • Balanced activity of opposing muscle groups
  • Noncompetitive, process-oriented
  • Awareness is internal (focus is on breath and the infinite)
  • Limitless possibilities for growth in self-awareness
• Exercise Benefits
  
  • Sympathetic Nervous System dominates
  • Cortical regions of brain dominate
  • Rapid forceful movements
  • Increased muscle tension
  • Higher risk of injury
  • Moderate to high caloric consumption
  • Effort is maximized
  • Fatiguing (breathing is taxed)
  • Imbalance activity of opposing groups
  • Competitive, goal-oriented
  • Awareness is external (focus is on reaching the toes, reaching the finish line, etc.)
  • Boredom factor