Yoga for the elderly – Fiqihislam.id

It may be a strange name, because with yoga you get more energy, mobility and peace of mind. While the name rather suggests that this involves a bit of exercise, as we have in mind for older people. But with elderly yoga it is none of that, because terms such as “vitality”, “being in the middle of life” and “going for it” certainly apply to older people. These yoga exercises contribute to this.

Why yoga for the elderly?

It starts with the setting. While one person is done with life for a moment, the other is full of zest for life. You must respect both principles, but elderly yoga is logically more suitable for people who still want to move forward in life. People who still have a large dose of zest for life and where age should not play a role in the degree of zest for life and vitality.It goes without saying that it is always good for everyone to exercise, but it is certainly also good for people at a more advanced age to continue to exercise. With a flexible body you are more mobile and exercise is also good for the mind. Not everyone can still lie double at an advanced age, but there are still plenty of options to keep moving and maintain a flexible body. There are a number of yoga exercises that can play a positive role in this.Furthermore, it also stimulates the body after a somewhat bad physical and/or mental period and continues to work if you, as an older person, still have a sense of life.

Some exercises

There are quite a few exercises that are suitable for older people. But even if you are not very vital, the exercises below are often still easy to do.

You are here!

Such a posture is good for opening the body. You are there, you are there and in addition to being good for the body, it is also good for the mind. Good for your self-awareness. If possible, do the exercise standing, but if this is not possible, sit down.

Place your arms behind your back with hands on top of each other and fingers intertwined.
This will give you a straight posture and press your shoulders down as far as possible and your shoulder blades together.
Now press your chest forward as you inhale, take a deep breath through your nose and fill your lungs.
When the challenge is reached, return to the upright position and breathe calmly again with your chest forward. Repeat this at least five times in peace.

To the sun!

This exercise is also to make the upper body nice and loose, allowing you to breathe freely and making you as a person rock solid. Good for the ego (where no negative association should be made).

Stand or remain seated and first let your arms hang at your sides. Nice and relaxed, but sitting or standing upright.
Then, while taking a deep breath, very carefully raise your hands in a wide movement until your arms and hands reach above your body and your hands touch each other. Visualize that the sun is above you and you want to grab it.
Hold for a moment and carefully return to exhaling. Repeat this exercise at least five times.

The diaphragm

The diaphragm is very important and heavily underestimated, but it connects the upper and lower body and that means it plays a crucial role in our body.

Stand and place your feet slightly apart.
Let your left arm hang at your side and as you inhale, raise your right arm.
As you exhale, bend your body to the left and let your arm bend over your head.
Hold this position for a few seconds and then slowly return to the starting position. Now do the same but the other way around and repeat the exercise three times on both sides.

The nodes

The chakra connection points are located in your vertebrae, so they are important to take with you and essential to keep your body flexible.

Sit on the floor and stretch your legs out in front of you.
Now bend your knees and make sure your feet remain flat on the floor.
Then slide the right foot under the left knee towards the left hip.
Then place your left foot over your right leg and try to reach it as far as hip height as possible.
As you exhale, turn your upper body to the left and allow yourself to be supported by your left hand if necessary.
In this position, try to keep your upper body rotated as much as possible and your left foot pressed against the ground as much as possible. Try to keep your back as straight as possible.
Return to the upright position and reverse all movements. Repeat this quietly three times per side.

Complete relaxation

Finish with a good breathing exercise that will allow you to completely relax and start the day well.

Lie on a straight surface with your arms perpendicular to your body, as far away from them as possible and your palms facing up. The legs are slightly apart.
Concentrate on breathing and breathe deeply through your abdomen. At the same time, let the feet turn small circles at the ankles.
After a minute or so, put your feet down quietly and continue to breathe deeply, exhaling just a little slower than you inhaled.
Hold this position for about three minutes and then stand up quietly.

Finally

The exercises must be able to be done in peace, with some soft music in the background if desired, but no distractions. Take your time and experience the vitality once you’re done. These are exercises that you can start with every day.