Pilates and yoga for anti-aging

How you will feel as you get older depends on many things, including what health problems run in your family and the choices you make. If you take good care of your body and learn positive ways to deal with stress now, you can slow down or even prevent problems that often come with getting older.

It is never too early or too late to change bad habits and start good ones. No matter when you start, a healthy lifestyle can make a difference in how you feel and what you can do.

Stay healthy with regular exercises

Participating in regular exercise is one of the best things you can do to stay healthy as you age. Exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of developing many diseases, and to slow the progression of disease and disability. Regular participation has also been shown to help people feel less tired, combat depression, improve posture, strengthen bones and muscles, keep joints healthy and mobile, lose weight, reduce stress, improve circulation, and maintain mobility and independence.

Instead of stressing out individual parts of the body – which can lead to imbalanced muscle workouts, back pain, joint pain and even serious injury – bothyoga and pilates targets the core and exercise the body as a single unit. Every inch of your body will be carefully stretched and worked out without creating undue stress on any single muscle group.

Men and women who stay active as they age are not just healthier physically; they stay sharper mentally and are less likely to suffer from depression. Joseph Pilates, who developed the pilates workout method, said: “We retire too early and we die too young, our prime of life should be in the 70s and old age should not come until we are almost 100!”

Try pilates

You can do pilates on machines that are specifically designed to strengthen and stabilize the spine, abdominals and pelvis, or do exercises on a floor mat with the same goals in mind. In either case, your own body becomes the true workout tool, so you are never working with more resistance or weight than you can handle.

Pilates is the perfect workout for both lifelong athletes entering their golden years, and those who have not exercised in decades but see the need as joints begin to stiffen and muscles ache. A routine can be tailored to your specific needs and goals, to slowly but surely make you stronger and more at ease in your new body – all without sprains, strains, or exhaustion.

Try yoga

Yoga has been shown to reverse the aging process by the positive impact the practice has upon the body. It gives elasticity to your muscles, tones tendons and ligaments, reduces fat and slows weight gain, calms your heart rate, and eases your mind promoting a bodily as well as a spiritual peace. Improved posture is also an important aspect of yoga. Bad posture is something that an aging body will most likely suffer from at some point. Yoga additionally strengthens ones back and shoulders and also promotes a strong sense of balance, all of which are important keys in unlocking the door to the world of anti-aging.

A study confirmed that yogic practice actually plays an important role in the balance of the stress hormone cortisol in the brain. Elevated cortisol levels may actually contribute to memory related issues such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, yoga keeps them maintained.

Attend classes at Physio Medicine

Do not assume that growing old means you can not or do not have to be active. Pilates and yoga can keep you young, slowing the aging process and increasing your flexibility, strength and balance. Bone density can be improved, and even your mood will be better thanks to the exercise.

At Physio Medicine, our pilates instructors are well equipped to design personalized fitness programs, treat aches and injuries, and help seniors of all ages and abilities keep active as they age. All exercises are conducted in sitting or standing positions with modifications given as needed. Movements are designed to be safe and beneficial for people with diverse health conditions, including osteoporosis, arthritis, and neurological conditions. People of all ages are also encouraged to join our classes and new participants are welcome to enroll any time.

Let us help you feel the best you have felt in years.Book an appointment today.