This becomes a downward cycle. Yoga will give you a way to halt and reverse this negative spin. The safe gentle, slow and controlled movements of yoga reduce anxiety and depression, while increasing muscle tone and strength. This aids coordination, balance and body control. Yoga is especially beneficial for some of the conditions associated with aging such as arthritis.
Arthritis is characterized by pain and stiffening of the joints.
The movements and positions of yoga which gently take a joint through its full range of motion combined with the relaxing effect of the breathing causes a decrease in pain and an increased range of motion. If you have less pain and can move with greater ease then you are less likely to become depressed and are able to gain more satisfaction from life. Many senior centers and rest homes now incorporate some sort of yoga into their programs. Yoga can be adapted so that it can be done in bed, a chair, wheelchair, lying, sitting or standing. If you are older and want to seek out a yoga class you would be well advised to begin with a more gentle form of yoga such as Ananda, Restorative or Viniyoga.