Yoga poses for relaxation

When you first think of yoga or meditation, you typically think of relaxation or stress-relief don't you?

In fact, there are some forms of yoga that lend themselves to strength building, vigorous activity for weight loss and other yoga poses that stress flexibility and circulation.

So, what about stress relief and relaxation, what yoga poses can you adopt as part of your routine that will be especially helpful in this area?

First, you should certainly understand the basics of breathing or pranayama. As the basis of all ananas, breathing exercises are critical to stress and relaxation.

Another yoga pose you can try is mountain pose - a standing position where you start by standing, arms at your side and begin lifting the first quarter of your foot into the air and let them down.

Then, raise your chest up and down, then raise up your head, imagine lengthening your neck pulling down on your shoulders and stretching your neck toward the ceiling.

Now, focus on your breathing, controlled, steady looking straight in front of you. Imagine energy flowing through the floor, your feet, up your body and out your head.

A simple pose, mountain yoga pose is a good focus pose that can help with relaxation and stress-relief.

Jeff

Yoga and Meditation For Retired Seniors

Even though yoga and meditation are currently going through a massive resurgence, have you noticed that almost all of the discussion and marketing has been around the young or yuppie generation?

We have yoga for kids, yoga becoming big in schools, businesses looking at stress relief, relaxation and productivity benefits of incorporating yoga into it's health centers - but there is very little about yoga for seniors?

In reality, the benefits of yoga are extremely well aligned with seniors and retirees.

For example, yoga has been thought to increase circulation, help control blood pressure and enhance flexibility as well as core strength.

Meditation can be a terrific method of relaxation, freeing the mind of clutter and bringing meaning to the later stages of life when the evolution of family and career can leave some large gaps.

What are your thoughts? Do you have an aging parent or relative that could benefit from yoga and meditation?

Perhaps starting specific programs targeting seniors makes great sense, even offering yoga classes in seniors homes and retirement residences. If you have a comment, let us here your opinion.

Jeff