Old Age is the time when you begin to live a second life and try to attain all your dreams and aspirations. This is a time when they feel the need to stay healthy so that they can be healthy. It is necessary to be young at heart at this age. Yoga is the best way of achieving this.
As we age our life and body also changes. These changes affect our daily routine, but yoga helps us to be in the regular regimen and brings ab out certain discipline in our life.
Importance of Yoga in Old Age
Being mentally fit is as important as being physically fit. Yogic exercise ensures tht you are fit at both levels the mind as well as the body. Let us see how we could make a difference to our life with the help of yoga. Yoga has a preserving effect on the human tissue which is the main reason people perform yoga when they are old.
Technique
Sit in padmasana.
Keep your palms on the knees and breathe out from the mouth.
Now bend forward and keep your head down such that it presses the chest.
Now keep your arms straight and lock your shoulders by lifting them up.
The perineum should be contracted at this time.
Now take your belly in.
Hold this position for half a minute.
Now slowly release the perineum and then the belly.
Lastly release the shoulder lock.
Now look up and take in breath.
Relax and repeat this process for around five to nine times.
Viparita Karani
Lift your head and inhale. Relax and repeat the procedure five to nine times. Vipareeta Karani Mudra Lie down on your back. Supporting the trunk with your hands, throw your body up. Straighten legs to a vertical position. The body should be at an angle of 45 degrees. Breathing normally, hold the posture as long as comfortable. Slowly lower your body to the floor.
Mudras and bandhas are very powerful and should be attempted after a year of practising asanas (yogic postures) and pranayama (breathing technique). The delicate tissues of the lungs can be damaged with undue strain. When you are used to the internal and external retention of breath for extended periods, only then should these practices be taken up. The correct sequence asanas, pranayama mudra and bandha must also be followed. Asanas clear the energy pathways, pranayama generates energy, while mudras channelize it and bandhas lock it in. The effect of stress on ageing is well known. So practice meditation and yoga mudra and keep stress at bay.
