We all need to prevent technology from controlling our life. It is so enticing to look at a screen. Whether it is a phone, computer, or TV screen. Often we go from one device to the other. There are so many reasons to look, have you counted them? The phone can often be the first and last thing we do at night. Some people are led on by those little red notifications that scream out to take action. Those notifications have been fashioned with poker machines in mind. Did you know that neuroscientists are part of the design team?
Yoga and Ayurveda have helped Zoe maintain excellent health amid the frenetic digital world. She has made a point of implementing the tools from Yoga Ayurveda to prevent technology controlling her life.
Initially Zoe started attending a group BKS Iyengar Yoga class in her lunch break. The class was across the road from her busy city office. This class inspired Zoe in 1990 took her first teachers training in Hatha Yoga. Since then Zoe studies Yoga combining Ayurveda as Therapy.
Knowledge of combining Yoga and Ayurveda Therapy has helped Zoe to design her own home practice, that she does most mornings and night. For instance 10 minutes of asanas a day is better than none at all. Ayurveda teaches us what we take in through our senses has a direct effect on the body and mind. But often after a busy day plugged into technology in order to have a sound nights sleep Zoe will make extra time for a longer practice. Her practice at night is very much a meditation of movement. It is slow and luxurious combining the breath with each movement. After that her practice concludes with a brief meditation. Zoe has a created a quiet place with no disturbances.
Technology overuse and addiction
Did you know that over use of technology can end up like any other addiction? We can see the behaviour in young people when they are denied their technology fix. Many parents are unaware of this and will start their kids off with technology at a very young age. Importantly all apps are designed to be addictive. Likewise selling apps is a big business. In our digital world we are enticed to be online as much as possible, we see it everywhere on the beach on the train – even driving a car. There are so many things we can only do online. Therefore we need to support our children and loved ones to learn how to implement strategies to prevent technology controlling their life. To clarify any out of balance activity has the potential to develop into an addiction.
With the onset of social media from 2012 research has found there is a direct correlation in the rise of depression and anxiety in youths. On the other hand Yoga Ayurveda is a physical, mental and spiritual form of self discipline. Certainly offering an answer to fill the hole in the soul that technology temporarily fills. In addition soothing and supporting each person to maintain a healthy balance in life. In short there are digital detox centres opening up in several countries where Yoga is used in addiction recovery.
Yoga unwinds your mind
Yoga has long been known to be a great way to relieve stress, strengthening the body and allowing participants to get in touch with their spiritual side. But can it be an effective tool against addiction?
Many proponents of yoga suggest that it may be. In fact, yoga is being increasingly incorporated into Ohio addiction treatment programs as a means to overcome addiction and prevent recurrence of use after sobriety has been achieved read more.
Yoga Ayurveda therapy prevents technology controlling your life
Zoe is a Hi-tech-Yogi and she knows how the pineal gland can adversely be affected by technology. Likewise she has worked with technology since 1980 and has never suffered any repetitive strain injury, carpel tunnel or frozen shoulder.
Certainly Zoe has seen many people who suffer from work related stressors. Zoe contributes her good health to incorporating Yoga into her daily life at the same time as working with technology. Yoga has helped Zoe lead a healthy and vibrant life. Therefore she wants to share this knowledge with you. Zoe has transitioned through many of life’s ups and downs and says in “Yoga lies her strength”.
Yoga Ayurveda Therapy digital detox Bondi
As a Yoga Ayurveda Therapist Zoe provides one-on-one digital detox programs. Each program is designed around your personal needs and lifestyle. Additionally she runs Yoga for over 40’s (online) classes for 40+. Everyone is welcome including seniors including those with special needs as this is Yoga Ayurveda Therapy and is gentle and pervasive.
Sitting for too long is the new cancer
Perhaps you sit for too long at a desk and are losing your flexibility or your mind is racing so fast at the end of the day you are unable to sleep? There are many work related symptoms such as:- sitting plugged into a screen for too long combined with artificial lighting and air can cause. Read the Guardian article Is sitting termed the new cancer?
Likewise there are health risks in leading an over-sedentary lifestyle and it is difficult to use technology on the go. Additionally research has shown that our breathing shallows when our fingers touch the keyboard, why don’t you try it and see?
Knowing how to sit in front of a screen, and what to implement into your daily routine to keep your self healthy is worth spending time on, because you are worth it.
Employers beware of the stressors KPI’s put onto your staff. As well as productivity decreasing when energy runs low with chronic conditions and pain. It is so important to listen to our body, free of any distractions to become aware of its needs. Perhaps you need to incorporate exercises into your day and implement strategies to alleviate stressors building up?
Fear of falling is a big worry for many seniors and it can happen at any time. Moreover, this can result from a variety of things such as:- loss of flexibility, concentration, bad shoes, bumpy pavement, weak core, ear problems, troublesome big toes, injuries or poor balance. In fact our blog deals with the 7 benefits of Yoga for seniors.
Yoga may be particularly helpful since it involves practices that can boost all four of these fitness components. In particular a recent study of seniors who attended Yoga classes, found the number of falls dropped 48% in the six months after Yoga classes began, compared to the previous six months.
Yoga improves our flexibility and balance in both body and mind. The mind feels joyful, balanced and peaceful and confidence arises as a result. In fact as we breathe and stretch our bodies, this movement massages the abdomen. Above all this in turn revitalises the internal organs. And as a result improving circulation, digestion, relieving stress and pain.
Connecting the mind and body
Developing awareness of the connection between the mind and body is a result of practicing Yoga. At the same time we can soon recognise any niggling sensations. These might be lying just under the surface of our consciousness. Often we can iron them out with the next Yoga practice. Have you noticed that Yogis rarely get sick?
Ayurvedastates that disease comes in six stages. By practising Yoga we can sense any onset at level one. Perhaps a scratchy throat or some new ache or pain. In addition this gives us the opportunity to implement a natural cure. Which is often simply in the kitchen cupboard via our food, drink or taking a rest.
A Yoga Therapist modifies the practice to accommodate the strengths, weaknesses and any health condition of the student. For instance people with Parkinson’s condition can do yoga on a chair rather than the floor. In fact there are really more than 7 benefits of Yoga for seniors.
Yoga for Seniors
1. Yoga increases flexibility and Strength:
Yoga improves the range of motion and joint health. In addition this helps to prevent back pain, repetitive-use damage, and sports injuries. Likewise if you have tight hips, hamstrings, calves, shoulders, or anything else, Yoga is exactly what you need. Flexibility is not a prerequisite; It’s a result. Fear of flexibility, or a lack of flexibility, keeps many people needlessly away from Yoga. There are way more than 7 benefits of Yoga for Seniors but read on regardless.
2. Yoga reduces the risk of falling
A fall is a massive blow to a person’s confidence and can leave you in pain. Sitting for hours at a time is a health hazard and has a bad effect of flexibility. And often when people stand up, we can hear that familiar exertion groan. We are just not the same as the fearless children who bounce back up and run off again. As well as, we know what complications a fall down can bring. Our Yoga Works for Over 40s is particularly helpful to connect you with your body and mind. Our online classes are gently penetrating providing simple manageable asanas that heal.
3. Yoga improves eyesight
Many factors contribute to an increase in falls with age. Such as visual impairment, medication side effects, and reduced strength and balance. In particular recent research suggests that you can reduce that fall risk. Some of the ways are through lifestyle strategies, such as keeping rooms free from clutter. Additionally implementing exercises designed to improve the four areas of fitness. These include endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility. Yoga has exercises that focus specifically on the eyes and Ayurveda has simple treatments that are very effective.
3. Pain is relieved with a regular yoga practice
Chronic pain triggers changes in brain structure that are linked to depression, anxiety, and impaired cognitive function. To illustrate new research shows that practicing Yoga has the opposite effect on the brain and can relieve chronic pain. Likewise Yoga can help people with many things such as :- arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraine, lower back pain, and many other types of chronic pain conditions. A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that among 313 people with chronic low back pain, a weekly Yoga class increased mobility. This is more than standard medical care for the condition.
4. Immune system improves with Yoga
Recent research also indicates that Yoga’s stress management tools lower stress hormones. As well as other pro-inflammatory molecules in our bodies. Additionally Yoga helps with chronic inflammation, which is a result of ageing. Namely, Yoga can help to foster healthy ageing when the immune system functions well, preventing illness. Improving your health provides energy and inspiration lead a full life. Are you convinced yet of the 7 benefits Yoga Seniors?
5. Increase confidence with Yoga
According to Health Line, one proven way to improve circulation is through Yoga. People at all levels may practice Yoga as one of the most accessible exercise types. Furthermore Yoga stretches coordinated with deep breathing, target abdominal organs. Likewise gentle twists massage and wring out stubborn intestinal toxins, and this sequence relieves a wide range of digestive discomfort.
Though medicines can provide intermediate relief, Yoga therapy can focus on your digestive system for longer-term results. As well as there are several postures that help cleanse, stimulate, aid, and encourage good digestive function. Read about the Healing power of Yoga for brain injuries.
6. Wellbeing is improved with Yoga Ayurveda
In a traditional Yoga Ayurveda class you will experience the 8 limbs of Yoga. They work deeply on the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the body mind. This is why a Yoga practitioners radiate and are easy to spot. Ashtanga, the eight limbs of yoga, is Patanjali‘s classification of classical yoga, as set out in his Yoga Sutras.
The eight limbs form a sequence from the outer to the inner. Postures, important in modern yoga, form one limb of Patanjali’s scheme; he states only that they must be steady and comfortable.
7. Creating community with Yoga
Everyday we are becoming more isolated. Even with the simple day interactions buying a train ticket or going to the bank we are encouraged to do this online. Also with life’s journey we grow and change. Learn how you can use Yoga Ayurveda to digital detox your life here.
Sometimes our new path is not inline with our old friends or family. Yoga is the perfect place to find a community of like minded people. Whether they know it or not people who attend a yoga class are in tune with the 1 & 2 of Patanjali’s 8 fold path. Namely the yama’s and niyama‘s and will share similar values.
The act of practising yoga together creates the ideal circumstances for a community to flourish. As a community we can see the hold technology has all around us. Technology addiction is particularly evident with the young. Increasing consumerism by inventing new upgrades. A billion dollars industry. Computers, smartphones, apps etc are designed to be addictive.
A regular Yoga class will encourage healthy ways
You will soon notice with a regular yoga practice the benefits go way, way beyond the mat. A community of like minded souls has a proven impact on survival or quality of life for people facing health issues such as:- cancer, stroke, dementia, depression, and diabetes. Being embedded in a community is biologically reassuring. Some experts theorise a community creates a protective effect. Likewise this actually boosts immunity and fights stress and inflammation.
Spending quality time with family, friends, and community—while also staying open to new relationships—is the secret to a happy, healthy life.
Please share our the 7 benefits of Yoga for seniors to those you love.
Zoe is a Yoga Ayurveda Therapist who weaves the wisdom of Ayurveda throughout her teaching. She lives a Yogi lifestyle with over 30 years of experience. Yoga held Zoe through many transitions in life. Ayurveda teaches us everyday simple tips, such as sesame oil or the colours you bring into your diet and life all have an effect on your health and wellbeing. She designs personalised e-book programs and offers private classes. Zoe loves to share her own personal experiences with ageing.
About Yoga Ayurveda Therapy
Practitioners of Yoga Therapy integrate Yoga concepts with Western medical and psychological knowledge. They combine body awareness and breathing activities with asana and meditation. This focused treatment for people helps with chronic conditions. Yoga therapy offers an alternative approach to conventional exercise. Likewise Yoga can be adapted to meet the needs of people with physical limitations.
We hope you enjoyed our blog on 7 benefits Yoga Seniors please share it with your friends.
A Yoga Ayurveda Therapy e-program designed to address both the physical and psychological stress of a woman in her early sixties, who has Parkinson’s and suffers from stiffness & other related issues. There are images, videos, text and reviews in the book, plus an explanation from the sufferer of how Yoga Ayurveda Therapy helps her.
The author Zoe Campbell a certified Yoga Ayurveda Therapist provides simple, powerful and easily learned asanas to address the daily challenges of living with this condition. The program is designed to fit into the busy lifestyle of a professional woman with a family, offering a range of asanas that can be either done on their own or following the sequence.
The Yoga Ayurveda Therapy practice for Parkinson’s
The practice is designed as a meditation of movement with exercises that can be done as a mini stand-alone or a longer practice in the evening. The Yoga Ayurveda Therapy program includes a 10-minute yoga nidra relaxation. The yoga exercises include breath and mantra instruction and are sequenced to encourage confidence, stretching and relaxation. Connecting, calming and stretching the body enhances the activities of daily living and work.
