Wellness Activities Adults Enjoy

Yoga's origins can be traced back to northern India over 5,000 years ago. Supporting one’s ability to obtain greater mental clarity, reduce stress and increase physical fitness, yoga is more relevant today than ever before.  This ancient mind and body wellness practice combines physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation or relaxation. 

The World's leading health organizations have extensively studied yoga and its benefits, which include: 

• Building muscle strength
• Enhancing overall well-being and quality of life
• Reducing risk of injury with improved flexibility and strength
• Helping with treatment for addiction
• Improving sleep
• Promoting better breathing
• Reducing anxiety, depression, and chronic pain
• Reducing stress
• Supporting heart health

Age Well Recreation’s Gentle Chair Yoga program incorporates ancient yoga techniques in a modern and safe format specifically designed for older adults.

The word meditation stems from meditatum, a Latin term that means ‘to ponder’  and has been practiced for thousands of years.  In more modern times, meditation is commonly used for relaxation and stress reduction.

Considered a type of mind-body complementary medicine, meditation can produce a deep state of relaxation and a tranquil mind. During meditation, you focus your attention and eliminate the stream of jumbled thoughts that may be crowding your mind and causing stress. This process may result in enhanced physical and emotional well-being.

The emotional and physical benefits of meditation may include:

• Gaining a new perspective on stressful situations
• Building skills to manage your stress
• Increasing self-awareness
• Focusing on the present
• Reducing negative emotions
• Increasing imagination and creativity
• Increasing patience and tolerance
• Improving sleep quality

Age Well Recreation’s Guided Meditation programs blend ancient and modern techniques in a format specifically designed for older adults.  This approachable method makes it easier for students to adopt a personal meditation practice outside of the classroom.

Tai chi originated as an ancient martial art in China more than 700 years ago. It is a practice that involves a series of slow gentle movements, physical postures, a meditative state of mind, and controlled breathing.  Set to relaxing Asian music, tai chi is a moving meditation with many benefits which may include:

• Reducing stress
• Supporting heart health
• Improving sleep
• Reducing anxiety, depression, and chronic pain
• Building muscle strength
• Reducing risk of injury with improved flexibility balance and strength

Yoga as long been proven to be a beneficial complement to traditional rehabilitation for adults of all ages who have sustained physical injury.    Practicing yoga as part of a physical rehabilitation program can not only help speed up the recovery process but can also help  in recovering mentally after an injury.   More importantly, yoga can help reduce the chances of reinjury.  Benefits may include:

• Loosening of tight muscles 
• Improved flexibility
• Improving agility and balance
• Improved joint alignment
• Improved overall physical fitness
• Greater mental clarity and wellbeing

It is important to consult with your physician before starting a yoga for rehabilitation program.