Yoga for the elderly (60 years old and above)

Course description:

In the ancient Indian medicinal tradition of AYURVEDA, life itself is considered a kind of knowledge. As we grow old, not only we learn how to take better care of our own health problems, we also know how to live a better life. Furthermore, as we grow old, we need to cultivate our spiritual wisdom.

When we retire from work and have fulfilled our duties raising our families, our own spiritual needs will start to emerge and we will start looking for spiritual guidance. For instance, we start looking for a church or a temple where we can follow a religion, we may get more interested in doing some charity work, or we might just want to share our knowledge with the younger generation.

In fact, physical maturity is attained at the age of 25, intellectual maturity at 30, and spiritual maturity at 50. People’s spiritual journey truly starts after the age of 50. People after that age start worrying about diseases; cultural imbalances and sometimes they feel not as important as the younger generations. Our modern societies do not provide solutions for the elderly to allow them spiritual grow, to attain a higher degree of consciousness. They can’t compare their physical strength nor their goals with those of the younger generation, therefore they need to learn at this stage how to enjoy their own life (contentment), otherwise they will have the feeling of depression, abandonment, and forgotten by their own family.

Elderly people are often placed in nursing homes, which makes them feel as if they weren’t as good as the younger kids. They are often even deprived of their self-respect. According with todays culture, when we are old we suddenly become miserable instead of being able to continue enjoying the fruits of conscious spiritual growth.

The combination of Yoga practice with the concepts of AYURVEDA forms the foundation for a strong spirituality for the elderly. This foundation becomes more and more important as we grow older, because we can we can use it to develop our spirituality. We can, for instance, study spiritual themes, work as volunteers, practice Yoga, meditate, etc.

Our classes are specially design for the elderly. When we grow old, we consider our body as a strong indicator of our health. We are afraid of getting sick, of the death, etc. However if we use Yoga and AYURVEDA we can face life with a positive attitude.

Elderly people start losing interest in material things such as career, money, fame, etc. They slowly start developing a different kind of wisdom, they get nostalgic and want to approach people. These characteristics do not mean regression; on the contrary, they mean a new spiritual grow. For instance, elderly people accept that tree leaves are not always green changing colors with the passing of the seasons. In other words, they learn to accept the beauty contained on every stage of life. More importantly, they want to achieve spiritual consciousness. It’s not the ending of their life, but the beginning of a new one, a rebirth, life and death are just part of the circle of life. When we understand life, we stop fearing death.

Elderly people have excess of wind in their body. A weak, cold, and dry body characterizes them and body tissue growth slows down. Some common problems that appear with age are influenced by the wind and they include: dried and wrinkled skin, constipation, falling of hair and teeth, osteoporosis, arthritis, degradation of the sight and hearing, memory loss, etc.

Treatment: Techniques to reduce the excess of wind.

Oil treatment: External use of Sesame-oil
Diet: There are many drinks and foods that help reduce the excess of wind in the body, such as goat milk. These products can strengthen the nervous system and may improve memory capabilities.

Repairing tonics:

1): “CHYAVAN PRASH” herbal medicine, helps remain healthy while aging, since ancient times it has been used in India together with Yoga to stay young
2): BRAGNA RYSAYANA: activates brain cells
3): ASHWAGANDA strengthen bones, joints, and the immune system
4) ALOE VERA enhance the regeneration system specially in women.

Yoga:

A constant practice of Yoga for the elderly will improve joint flexibility and prevent arthritis. PRANAYMANA (breathing exercises) can improve lung functions helping breathe with more vitality. Meditation can ease the mind, helps handle the stress of getting old and gives spiritual growth. When we get old, the study of spiritual things is crucial for our further development.

Equipments that can be used to practice this type of Yoga: walls, chairs, beds.