Can anyone practice Yoga? by Sharon Fisher
The straightforward answer is: Yes.
Yoga practice can be followed by anyone at any age. Nor is a well-developed and flexible body a prerequisite. All that is necessary is an open mind, a little will power and the desire for holistic self-development.
Is it ever too late to start practicing Yoga?
Yoga has no upper age limit, and people taking up yogic practice in their eighties have had very positive results in terms of improved health (through Hatha-Yoga postures and breathing) and mental equanimity (through meditation). I have taught Yoga classes to people who could only do the exercises while sitting in a chair, and with time and practice they became capable of doing a variety of postures.
Even bedridden individuals with chronic diseases can still benefit from Yoga, though the practices must be carefully tailored to their particular needs. Since Yoga is primarily a spiritual tradition, which seeks to bring about an inner transformation, in principle all that is required is a positive intent and the capacity to practice mindfulness (that is, conscious awareness). If someone isn't able to do bodily exercises, it is still possible to engage the mind through Yoga. Of course, in such a case one has to adjust one's expectations and goals accordingly. At the lower end of the age scale, Yoga has been found to be beneficial for young children, though their involvement with yogic practice is necessarily different from that of adults. So long as they are able to pay attention and execute simple exercises, children can benefit greatly from Yoga.
If you want to start practicing yoga choose a class that is suitable for you.
If you are a beginner, ideally look for a beginner's course. A beginner's class will take the student through basic yogic poses, slowly and carefully, along with correct breathing, and relaxation techniques. You will feel more comfortable and won't get intimidated by more advanced practitioners performing difficult postures easily and elegantly. If that's not possible choose a Gentle Yoga class.
A qualified yoga teacher will be able to adapt the postures to suit your needs.
The most important thing is to experience for yourself the benefits and the joy of practicing Yoga.
Anyone suffering from chronic ailments would be advised to seek advice from their doctor (preferably from a doctor who knows something about Yoga) or practitioner (for example osteopath, or chiropractor) before practicing any form of exercise.
Sharon Fisher is a teacher of the Sivananda Yoga method; she has classes for all levels.
Yoga practice can be followed by anyone at any age. Nor is a well-developed and flexible body a prerequisite. All that is necessary is an open mind, a little will power and the desire for holistic self-development.
Is it ever too late to start practicing Yoga?
Yoga has no upper age limit, and people taking up yogic practice in their eighties have had very positive results in terms of improved health (through Hatha-Yoga postures and breathing) and mental equanimity (through meditation). I have taught Yoga classes to people who could only do the exercises while sitting in a chair, and with time and practice they became capable of doing a variety of postures.
Even bedridden individuals with chronic diseases can still benefit from Yoga, though the practices must be carefully tailored to their particular needs. Since Yoga is primarily a spiritual tradition, which seeks to bring about an inner transformation, in principle all that is required is a positive intent and the capacity to practice mindfulness (that is, conscious awareness). If someone isn't able to do bodily exercises, it is still possible to engage the mind through Yoga. Of course, in such a case one has to adjust one's expectations and goals accordingly. At the lower end of the age scale, Yoga has been found to be beneficial for young children, though their involvement with yogic practice is necessarily different from that of adults. So long as they are able to pay attention and execute simple exercises, children can benefit greatly from Yoga.
If you want to start practicing yoga choose a class that is suitable for you.
If you are a beginner, ideally look for a beginner's course. A beginner's class will take the student through basic yogic poses, slowly and carefully, along with correct breathing, and relaxation techniques. You will feel more comfortable and won't get intimidated by more advanced practitioners performing difficult postures easily and elegantly. If that's not possible choose a Gentle Yoga class.
A qualified yoga teacher will be able to adapt the postures to suit your needs.
The most important thing is to experience for yourself the benefits and the joy of practicing Yoga.
Anyone suffering from chronic ailments would be advised to seek advice from their doctor (preferably from a doctor who knows something about Yoga) or practitioner (for example osteopath, or chiropractor) before practicing any form of exercise.
Sharon Fisher is a teacher of the Sivananda Yoga method; she has classes for all levels.