“I’m too old for yoga.”
“I could never bend that way.”
“I won’t fit on a yoga mat.”
These common fears often hold people back from practicing yoga – but the truth is that yoga can be for practically anyone. For example, those who may worry about movement can opt for a style of yoga that’s more mental than physical. Some yoga practices are specifically aimed at relaxing the mind, body, and spirit regardless of physical ability. Others take flexibility (or lack thereof) into account and allow people to practice at their own pace.
The Benefits of Yoga
According to U.S. News & World Report, around 21 million Americans practice yoga – a number that has doubled in the past 10 years. These days, it is difficult to find any private rehabilitation facility that doesn’t offer some form of yoga or other mind-body techniques.
If you are considering adding yoga to your treatment regime, it’s important to know the many benefits that one can gain from it. Some examples include:
- Enhanced flexibility, strength, and stamina
- Increased sense of self-awareness and clarity
- Stress relief
- Better sleep
- Increased energy levels
- More self-confidence
- Emotional healing
Even for those who are older, yoga can help a person achieve better mental and physical health by focusing on this practice that enhances mindfulness and the mind-body connection. Being around a group of other people who are also trying to complete different postures in yoga can provide a sense of commonality, which also makes it easier to connect with others. While it may seem daunting at first, remember that the purpose of yoga is to help you feel more whole – not to exclude you from others.
Find Your Center
Yoga is meant to help bring people towards their “center,” or their natural state of being. If you’re able to practice some form of yoga every day or several times a week, the practice itself will likely get easier and you may even feel more confident in practicing it around others. It’s a beautiful transformation that occurs over time.
If you’re ready to give yoga and other mind-body techniques a try, speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu today. It’s never too late to incorporate holistic practices into your treatment program.
Avalon Malibu is a world-renowned mental health and substance abuse recovery center. If you are ready to seek treatment to develop the tools you need to overcome life’s obstacles and be on the road towards happiness, health, and well-being, call us today at (844) 857-5992 for a consultation.
