10 Ways to a Vibrant Body, Mind and Spirit with YOGA - Throughout Every Stage and Age of Life!
Do you remember when you were very young? If you were like me and my friends, you just couldn’t wait until you were a teenager, then a young adult and so on… and then all of sudden the tables turned and you wanted to be young again. Are we obsessed with youth for vanity's sake, or just afraid of what might happen as we age?
Having taught a full spectrum of humans, from young healthy children to those with special needs, to adults and seniors, some robust and others living with different mental and physical conditions, I can confidently say, there is some kind of movement that will bring health, strength and vitality for everyone. When we feel vital we feel healthy, youthful and alive.
When we consider the trajectory of our lives and the average healthy human lifespan, it is imperative that we continuously adapt the ways we move and care for our aging bodies. And let’s face it…as soon as we are born, we are aging!
What are the best ways to maintain a vibrant body, mind and spirit throughout every stage and age of life? For me…it is hands down YOGA! Why yoga over other forms of exercise? Yoga is a non-competitive practice that reinforces ways to be present with our ever changing experience of being alive.
Within the spectrum of yoga itself, there are so many different lineages and styles to suit every body…from the child to the teen, to the young and the older adult. Below are 10 different styles of hatha yoga:
1-Kids Yoga - Reinforces energetic release and creative play. Great for school aged children who thrive within a loose structure.
2- Vinyasa Flow - Awesome for teens and adults who want a rhythmic, flowing practice coordinated with creative transitions between poses, synchronized with breathing patterns. Can be aerobic.
3- Ashtanga Yoga - An athletic, powerful practice that challenges mastery, focus and stamina with set sequences. Great for the young at heart!
4- Kundalini Yoga - Vigorous, repetitive movements called kriyas (actions) coordinated with breathing patterns and mantras to channel and move energy. Young adults are often attracted to this stimulating practice.
5- Hot yoga - Whether you are talking about the 26 poses from Bikram Yoga or vinyasa yoga practiced in 80-105 degrees Fahrenheit with 40 percent humidity, this practice creates a sauna-like scenario to bring on more sweat and heat. Younger and middle aged adults who tend to have tight, stiff bodies are drawn to this practice. Excellent for athletes who need to develop flexibility from the stressors of sports.
6- Iyengar Yoga - With keen attention to the details of postural alignment with yoga prop support, this practice requires awareness, concentration and laser-like focus. Helpful for developing mind and body postural and corrective work. Excellent for adults of all ages who like a slow, methodical practice.
7- Corporate Yoga - With an emphasis on relieving back, hip, neck and eye strain from repetitive stress for the computer or desk worker, this practice alleviates general stiffness from sitting for prolonged periods of time. It also focuses on reducing mental fatigue.
8- Restorative Yoga - The aim of this practice is to bring stress release, while learning how to surrender muscular and mental patterns of tension. Yoga postures might be held for five to thirty minutes each, with the aid of props such as bolsters, blankets, blocks, straps and wall support. Helpful for all ages but particularly comforting for older adults or anyone recuperating from physical or mental stress or illness.
9- Prenatal Yoga - Prenatal yoga offers safe and gentle stretches for pregnant women to ease the physical and mental tension of pregnancy and prepare for labor and birth.
10- Yin yoga - This is a slow practice where postures are typically held for 3-5 minutes and longer. The intention is to create a lengthening and traction of the connective tissues with passive, safe, slow tension held over time. In addition to the physical benefits Yin yoga supports us to turn our awareness inward for deep introspection. Useful for both young and older adults.
Reach out If you have been wanting to begin or deepen your practice of yoga and if you have questions about which style of yoga is right for you at this time of your life.
