When you think of the typical yoga practitioner, your head may be filled with images of a slender, insanely flexible person, clad in a stretchy black outfit working through a variety of challenging poses. While this is the way we often see yoga presented in the media, it can make us forget one very important thing: yoga can benefit people of all ages and body types, even those without washboard abs and the ability to bend into a pretzel.
If you’re currently coping with the symptoms of menopause or going through testosterone therapy in Scottsdale, yoga may be an activity worth trying. Studies show us that yoga can protect against a variety of issues that are of concern to us as we age by:
- Building balance, core strength and flexibility to reduce the risk of being injured in a fall
- Lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol
- Reducing sensations of fatigue and pain
In addition to helping you build muscle strength and athletic endurance, yoga can stimulate the endocrine system, helping your body reach hormonal balance. Research has demonstrated that practicing yoga for three or more hours a week can help you activate anti-aging hormones in your body to improve your health and actually achieve a biological age younger than those who do not practice yoga.
Getting Started with Yoga
As with any other workout, you should ask your doctor if you’re healthy enough to try yoga before jumping in, especially if you have medical conditions that may put you at a heightened risk of injury. However, yoga is a highly accessible activity and can be modified to meet most levels of physical fitness and athletic ability.
If yoga seems right for you, you can start safely using it to your advantage in Scottsdale by:
- Finding a good teacher. It will be much easier to learn the basics of this ancient practice with the help of a seasoned expert. Check out a few different yoga studios in Scottsdale and look for a teacher who feels right to you.
- Learning more online. Classes are the best way to learn yoga, but you can supplement your in-person sessions with free online tools. Sites like Yoga Today offer free educational videos on their YouTube channel and these can be helpful as you delve deeper into your practice.
- Doing yoga every day. Yoga is most helpful to the frequent practitioner. Even if you only have a few minutes, try to make time for any simple breathing exercises and poses you can fit in.
You may think that yoga is only right for the young and fit, but yoga can benefit your body and mind regardless of age.
