5 Amazing Benefits of Practicing Yoga for Women Over 50

As we age, we become more susceptible to specific injuries and ailments. That’s why it’s so crucial that you stay fit, healthy, and strong. But as you get older, you may find many forms of exercise becoming harder. Yoga is different. Yoga is easy to learn, enjoyable, and ideal for many different ages and mobility levels. Best of all, it offers some excellent health benefits, especially for mature women. Here are the top 5 benefits of yoga for women over 50.

1. Increases Your Overall Flexibility

Your particular style and yoga flow will usually depend on what you’re doing the activity for. But the good news is that all yoga styles and flows can increase flexibility. Improve overall flexibility, and you’ll naturally lower your risk of injuries such as fractures and muscle strains.

The terminology often confuses yoga beginners, but it’s not all that complicated to learn. A yoga flow focuses on the connection between your breathwork, physical movements, and your state of mind. Every yogi has a unique yoga flow that works best for them. You’ll find one just right for you, too.

But if you’re new to yoga practice, you may wonder how to create your yoga flows at home. It’s much easier than you might think. Try some online yoga classes. They are generally affordable and ideal for beginners or older people. The yogis leading these classes give clear, step-by-step instructions.

2. Yoga for Women Over 50 Benefits Bone Health

Osteoporosis is an unfortunate reality that many older people, especially women, face. Why does it affect women more than men? Menopause significantly speeds up bone loss in the body, thereby increasing the risk of osteoporosis in women over age 50.

Osteoporosis significantly raises the risk of bone breaks and fractures in a fall. But there’s a lot you can do to protect yourself. Consume more dairy products and green, leafy vegetables like spinach. Weight-bearing exercises and strength training also improve bone health.

Sadly, your diet will only take you so far, and weight-lifting is not always ideal for women over 50. However, yoga may be the answer. It has been found to improve bone mineral density in older adults. By eating the right foods and doing yoga, you’ll safely support your bone health with less risk of injury.

3. Builds Core Strength for Better Posture

Other common side effects of aging are poor posture, stooping, and back pain. Poor posture is often a result of weak core muscles that cause you to lean forward (stoop). Therefore, exercises that build core strength can give you the support you need for better posture.

If that sounds like a lengthy, grueling session in the gym, think again. Yoga for women 50+ can help with this, too! The poses, known as asanas, which you hold during yoga, activate and engage those all-important core muscles. These are the abdominals, lower back, hips, and the glutes.

By strengthening these muscles, you build a stronger natural girdle, keeping everything in place. Your posture will naturally improve as a result of these stronger core muscles. You’ll also experience less posture-related pain and stiffness in your neck, shoulders, and back.

4. More Yoga Benefits for Women 50+: Boosts Circulation, Lowers Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a silent killer. Blood pressure is the force your circulating blood exerts against the walls of your arteries. The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a huge role in blood pressure regulation. However, the onset of menopause often causes changes in the ANS.

Those changes inevitably raise the risk of cardiovascular morbidity in women after menopause. On average, American women experience menopause at about the age of 51. But you don’t have to become another scary medical statistic once you hit your 50s. Just start doing yoga.

Improve your blood circulation, and you’ll also improve your blood pressure and lower certain cardiovascular risks. Reputable organizations like the Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, and even the American Heart Association (AHA) all agree that yoga improves circulation and blood pressure, improving heart health.

5. Can Do While in Recovery

As you get older, the need for medical intervention increases, too. Knee or hip replacements and spine surgeries are some of the more common surgeries in the over-50s group. This type of operation can mean an interruption to your fitness routine. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Yoga for women ages 50+ not only can help strengthen and support the spine but it also helps many folks stay fit and strong during post-operative recovery. If your doctor gives you the go-ahead, you can continue to practice yoga shortly after minimally invasive spine surgery and several other surgical procedures.

Unlike most other forms of exercise, yoga is gentle enough to continue with post-injury and during recovery. However, you should always consult your primary care physician on this issue before resuming your yoga routine.

Please see your doctor before beginning any new exercise routine, including yoga, to ensure it’s right for you. This article is not intended to take the place of medical advice.