Unless you’re already a yoga practitioner, you may think yoga is only for willowy women in their 20s and 30s. After all, that’s the kind of person typically shown. Yet yoga is for both men and women, of all ages and body types. In fact, yoga is excellent for people over 50, no matter their current flexibility or mobility. It can be adjusted for just about anyone and offers extensive physical and mental rewards to anyone who makes the effort. If you’ve been thinking about trying a yoga class at your Lake Ashton retirement community or even trying a few poses at home, here are some of the benefits to encourage you to give yoga a try.

First and foremost, yoga is excellent for balance. Even without getting into anything other than a planted standing position, yoga gives you a better sense of your body in space and helps you better maintain your balance, which is important as you get older.

If your joints have been getting a bit stiff, you may find some relief and increased fluidity through regular yoga practice. Of course, like any exercise, yoga can also hurt your joints, so it’s important to take lessons under a qualified teacher, particularly if you’re just starting out. However, when done correctly, it can boost the synovial fluid to your joints and also train the surrounding muscles to better stabilize your joints.

As well as joints, yoga can help moderate chronic pain. While it won’t necessarily get rid of it completely, it can significantly help relieve lower back pain in particular. This will give you more mobility, which in turn will help reduce additional stiffness and discomfort.

Yoga gets you moving and movement is always a good thing, especially as we get older. That regular movement leads to more energy and can enable you to enjoy more of life in your Lake Ashton retirement community. But yoga isn’t just about the body; it’s also good for the mind. Yoga helps with visual-spatial memory and helps you stay mentally sharp. According to one study, it’s even better than crossword puzzles.

Find a qualified teacher to help you learn and modify any moves according to your personal ability. Yoga isn’t a competition; it’s a way to strengthen your mind and body at your own pace. As your flexibility, mobility, and mental clarity improves, you’ll soon be wondering why you didn’t start your yoga lessons sooner.