You’ve likely heard the adage yoga is good for mind, body and spirit. It’s true. Yoga holds many benefits for all ages—but especially for seniors. I should know. I’ve been teaching seniors beginner yoga and meditation for 12 years.

Not only does yoga lower stress, fear and anxiety, but it also improves balance, strength, flexibility, confidence and mobility. It eases joint pain and loosens stiff muscles from surgery or injuries—aiding in recovery and preventing further injury from overcompensation or bad posture. I’ve seen it assist back, neck and spinal pain and heal injuries from imbalances due to habits that cause us to look down, curve our shoulders or hunch over.

Studies prove yoga aids in relaxation and sleep too. And yoga provides a positive, supportive community with uplifting reminders to set intentions focused on gratitude, acceptance, forgiveness and trust. That is of great benefit to our closest relationships.

For instance, I’ll never forget when the husband of a yoga student popped into the Torrance Memorial Center for Healthy Living in Malaga Cove, where I taught his wife. He was holding flowers for me. “What’s this?” I asked, smelling them.

“It’s yoga night,” he replied. “Every time Sue* comes home, she’s in such a good mood and is so sweet to me. It’s my favorite night of the week!”

I smiled thinking about the previous week’s class where we set an intention to let everyone “off the hook” that week—to accept them, not take things personally and think of them in their highest light, remembering all the good things they’d done for us.

Yoga has a great way of making you feel good—in your body, about your life and about creative, positive possibilities. Torrance Memorial has many classes to choose from -- chair yoga, beginning hatha classes (meaning it’s easier on your wrists), yoga for bone strength, prenatal classes, meditation, chakra yoga and sound baths!

If you are new to yoga, you may want to try a beginner class that offers breathing exercises (called pranayama), stretching and balance postures for all levels, and a guided short meditation. Talk with your doctor if you have a significant injury, but for the most part, yoga is great for injury healing and prevention.

There are many ways to safely modify postures, and teachers with restorative and therapeutic training can find alternative ways for students to participate without further aggravating an injury. For instance, a student who had a frozen shoulder from nerve pain couldn’t lift both arms. We found a way for her to flow with her arms outstretched while breathing deeply until she was able to lift them a bit higher. Over time, with yoga and her physical therapy, she was able to lift her arms again without pain.

As a benefit to our community, Torrance Memorial yoga classes are significantly less expensive than those at studios. So you’ve got no excuse. Explore all the options available and sign up for a class that appeals to you today!  For a full list of yoga classes offered by Torrance Memorial, see pages 12 to 14.