As I contemplate another 365 day journey around the sun next week, I was reflecting on the privilege of the last 7 years of sharing Dru Yoga with others. Dru Yoga is a gentle, accessible style of yoga suitable for older adults and most of my class participants are women aged 50+ like myself. I was so grateful over the last couple of days to share yoga with a range of different carers and have some people say it was their first time trying yoga and others saying they had not practiced yoga for many years. Often it seems age and/or injury mean people might stop their practice or it maybe that busy time of life with work and family gets in the way. Some commented on the Dru practice and asked is this still yoga? Which of course it is but I understand why they ask as yoga has been marketed to ‘look’ a certain way. There is a phrase attributed to yoga master T. Krishnamacharya that states “if you can breathe, you can do yoga.” Yoga is more than just the poses (asana), it is mind-body practice with breath as its foundation.
In the yogic tradition there are four life stages or paths of yoga, including student (Brahmacharya), householder (Grihastha), forest dweller (Vanaprastha) and renunciate (Sannyasa). Our practice can evolve over time, for example as I commenced practicing Dru Yoga I was in my midlife so wanting reduce my stress as I still navigated work, caring for a child and parent. I was more interested in stretching and increasing my flexibility and taking time to relax as working and caring full-time I was exhausted. As I start to move towards being an older adult, with a grown up child, both parents deceased and working part-time I resonate more to the forest dweller and renunciate path. I am deepening my interest in yoga philosophy with a shift towards a focus on breath and meditation. It is a more spiritual path which aims for a greater understanding of self.
When I started practicing Dru Yoga in my 40’s I thought that if I practiced regularly and consistently I had all the answers on how to stay healthy as I got older. Then I actually got older! At some point I woke up and realised I had aches and pains and less energy. Apparently according to all health professionals it was peri-menopause and menopause that was to blame. The yoga industry is by and large focused on the youthful practitioner, it is marketed online to and by young, slim women in neutral yoga leggings and crop tops. It is marketed as fitness yoga to lose weight, sculpt the body or build strength. If you don’t see people like yourself practicing yoga you might think it is not for you. Older yogis have different needs and might need different types of yoga practice for their bodies but also their minds and most importantly their spirits. As we age we still need to continue to strengthen our muscles and hone our balance so we feel steady on our feet, but more importantly it is a time of increased wisdom, insight and reflection.
As we get older, our bodies and minds go through natural changes, and maintaining physical and mental well being becomes more important than ever. Yoga offers a gentle yet powerful way to support healthy ageing, and returning to the mat can bring profound benefits for older adults.
- Improves Flexibility and Balance
Ageing often leads to stiffness and reduced mobility, increasing the risk of falls. Yoga’s stretches and balance exercises help keep joints supple, improve posture, and strengthen stabilising muscles. - Supports Strength and Bone Health
Gentle weight-bearing poses in yoga enhance muscle tone and can support bone density, which is vital for reducing the risk of osteoporosis. - Reduces Stress and Enhances Mental Clarity
Breathing exercises and mindfulness practices in yoga calm the nervous system, helping manage anxiety, improve sleep, and sharpen focus. - Encourages Social Connection
Joining a local yoga class provides a sense of community, which supports emotional well being and combats feelings of isolation. - Adaptable for Every Body
Modern yoga offers modifications and props that make it accessible for all levels of mobility, so you can safely enjoy the practice at your own pace.
Returning to yoga is not about achieving perfect poses—it’s about nurturing your body, mind, and spirit. Even a few minutes a day can make a world of difference to your vitality and quality of life. So for those of you wanting to begin a yoga practice as an older adult or return to a yoga practice that has been on hold due to ageing or injury Dru Yoga is for you. Yoga is a lifelong practice that can adapt to suit your body’s changing needs and will support you to age better, wiser, stronger and braver. Lets stay on the path of yoga and grow old together as yogis!
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