Each position is held for a few seconds to a few minutes. The last part of a yoga session is meditation, in which participants sit or lie in a comfortable position for about 15 minutes. The goal is to completely relax the body, release stress, and continue to keep the mind free of distractions. Yoga and Health People who practice yoga say the techniques help reduce stress and improve sleep and flexibility. Research also suggests yoga may help increase energy, lower blood pressure, and improve symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Investigators now hope to find out if yoga can help ward off the effects of aging.
Senior citizen volunteers are randomly assigned to one of two groups. The first group participates in classes taught by a certified yoga instructor. The second group meets weekly for a group walk. Before entering the study, researchers perform tests to measure several key aspects of aging, such as mental acuity, memory, strength, balance, and overall health. The same tests will also be given during and at the end of the study.