Poses may light a path to well-being
By Neelima P
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE
Meet Rajendra K, a 72-year old former professor of sociology in Pune, India. He is a lean, sprightly man with a remarkable interest in everything. He has been active all day and does not seem to be the least bit tired. He is a yoga enthusiast.
“You should have seen me when I was 45,” says the professor. “I lacked energy and had all kinds of allergies. I have suffered from arthritis all my life but with yoga there has been an obvious change in my symptoms.
“You wouldn’t believe how bad my spondylosis (degeneration of the vertebrae) was—I had done both traction and physical therapy. Although conventional medicine helped me a great deal, yoga has improved the quality of my life.”
The techniques of yoga date back more than 5,000 years to Northern India. The word literally means “to join together,” and according to the International Yoga Teachers Association, yoga aims for a balance between the mind and body in order to enhance physical health and peace of mind.
Yoga and older adults
Krishna Raman, a doctor of internal medicine, therapeutic yoga specialist, and author of the book A Matter of Health says, “Any kind of physical activity benefits people of all age groups. Older people who go to a fitness center or at least walk every day have better lean muscle-to-fat ratios and are more agile.” The physical activity of yoga is no different.
“By doing the yoga poses (asanas) you improve your flexibility and circulation, which leads to healthier aging. A type of yoga called Iyengar yoga offers the use of props or assistive equipment, thereby helping older people do poses correctly,” says Raman. Props or assistive equipment provide support for certain areas of your body, and can help you balance.