` Yoga has become a popular means of exercise for older adults. And no wonder. It makes their bodies fitter and their minds calmer. Seniors benefit from improvements in balance, stronger muscles, reduced joint pain and more energy.

Modifications should be made to the various yoga poses for seniors with ostoporosis and joint problems. Instructors should be knowledgable about these necessary modifications.

Here are some pointers for older adults to consider when participating in yoga:

* Keep proper spinal alignment with each pose.

* Avoid poses that require forward flexion (bending forward at the waist).

* Move slowly and gently from one pose to the next.

* Poses should feel comfortable and steady.

* Rest when needed.

* Use a chair or wall for balance exercises as required.

Following is a short list of the vinyasas, or yoga pose sequences suitable for a participant with osteoporosis or joint problems:

* Corpse Pose. Begins breath work and decompresses the spine. Breathing is used for inward focus. Use a pillow or bolster as needed.

* Supine Shoulder Press. Strengthens the shoulder girdle and stretches the front of the shoulder. Coordinate with breathing. Use a pillow under the elbows if needed.

* Rib Lift. Strengthens back muscles and stretches the front muscles. If you are weak in this area use the bolster for support.

* Supine Bridging. Strengthens core muscles and stretches the front thigh muscle. Vary with heel raises or leg raises. Place a yoga block between thighs for support.

* Cobra Pose. Stretches anterior muscles. Move carefully throughout the full range of motion.

* Warrior 2 Pose. Strengthens legs and opens chest. Use chair for support if needed.

* Legs Up The Wall Pose. Decompresses spine, improves circulation and promotes relaxation. Maintain good posture. Use blankets or bolsters as needed.

Yoga has many benefits to offer senior citizens. Some of the regular moves, however, aren’t suitable for older adults, especially those with joint problems or osteoporosis. The modifications are small and don’t take much away from the original move. Making a few safety changes to your yoga program will reduce injury and allow you to reap all the outstanding benefits of yoga practice.

Dr. Lanny Schaffer is an Exercise Physiologist and President of The International Fitness Academy. For more cutting edge fitness ideas go to www.aerobic-exercise-coach.com

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In yoga, breathing is everything. Breathing is more than just an intake of oxygen. It is also a way of cleansing the body and restoring equilibrium. But, in order to gain high quality results from the breathing that you do, you must do them correctly. There is no quick way to learn the right technique, but here are a few pointers to bear in mind while starting out with yoga breathing.

Kapalabhati- basic yoga breathing. In this method, you learn to breathe in order to purify the body. It is one of the six different Kriyas practices. Your breath is short, strong and fast. The lung acts as a pump that expels the waste from it. Here, you are deliberately breathing faster while breathing through your stomach and not your chest.

Alternate Nostril Breathing Technique- This is another basic yet fundamentally important type of breathing technique. Here, you will breathe through one nostril, hold your breath and then exhale through the opposite nostril. The ratio of inhale:hold:exhale is 2:8:4.

Brahmari- This type of less used yoga breathing is done by partially closing the glottis and then inhaling through both of your nostrils. Your lips are closed and the palate will vibrate due to the nasal airflow.

Sithali, Sitkari- This is a rarely used type of yoga breathing. It works in a different manner. Here you stick your tongue out a little and then softly curl the sides of the tongue up. Now, start inhaling through your mouth.

Yoga exercises are fundamental to the breathing work that you do. In any type of session, you will be taught the fundamentals of breathing. This is due to the simple fact that it is the source of life. It is essential to cleansing the body. It is one of the central focuses of successful, effective yoga.

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Mike Singh is the publisher of www.yoga-made-ez.com/ On his website he provides free yoga exercises and more information about the different types of yoga .

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