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Yoga and Healthy Ageing - Yogavani from Indian Yoga Association

Practice of the Month

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Celebrating World Meditation Day with the Indian Yoga Association 

On World Meditation Day, the Associate Centres and Member Institutes of the Indian Yoga Association came together to honour the profound practice of meditation. Across various locations, our community gathered to reflect, connect, and deepen their meditation journeys, fostering a sense of unity and inner…

Celebrating 6 Years of Excellence:Indian Yoga Association Gujarat Chapter Foundation Day 

The Indian Yoga Association, Gujarat Chapter, virtually celebrated its 6th Foundation Day on 29th December with the theme Yoga for Lifestyle Management. The program began with a prayer, followed by Mauli Baviskar introducing all dignitaries. The event emphasized yoga’s role in promoting holistic well-being, inspiring…

Geetham Institute of Alternative Medicine hosts transformative sessions 

In December, Geetham Institute of Alternative Medicine, Associate Centre of Indian Yoga Association hosted a series of transformative sessions centered on Varma therapy, which plays a significant role in enhancing physical, mental, and emotional health. The month-long series was conducted by experienced practitioners, each focusing…

Indian ancient Siddhars and the science of longevity: A remarkable discovery byAttangaogam Peedam 

Recent research, supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), sheds light on the ancient practice of Attangaogam, Associate Centre of Indian Yoga Association, and its impact on longevity. The study, titled “Effect of Yoga-Pranayamam on Telomere Length in Medical Students,” revealed ground breaking…

Tamil Nadu SCC meets to discuss way forward 

The Tamil Nadu State Chapter Committee meeting was held in World Community Service Centre, Chennai on December 28, 2024, at 10:30am. The meeting commenced with a prayer and meditation session, creating a serene atmosphere for the discussions that followed. Shri Rajeshwari Prabhakaran, Senior Vice-Chairman of…

Enriching programs at Sri Aurobindo Society, Hyderabad 

Throughout December, the Sri Aurobindo Society, Hyderabad, hosted a series of insightful talks and satsangs, focusing on various elements of yoga and spiritual growth. The month began with Elements of Yoga 1 by Smt. Suneetha Sekhar on 1st December, followed by Smt. Harshitha’s session on…

Vedic Kaya Sadhana celebrates convocation ceremony 

The Vedic Kaya Sadhana, Associate Centre of the Indian Yoga Association, recently held its convocation ceremony, marking a significant milestone for its graduating students. The event celebrated the culmination of rigorous training and dedication, with graduates receiving certifications that recognize their comprehensive understanding and expertise…

SSIYRC Students Set World Record inArdha Matsyendrasana 

In a remarkable achievement, 105 students from the Sri Shankari Institute of Yoga and Research Center, Gummudipoondi (SSIYRC), Associate Centre of the Indian Yoga Association, sustained the Ardha Matsyendrasana pose for an impressive 10 minutes, earning them a place in the Worldwide Book of Records….

Sree Bala Yoga Studio reflects on a year of remarkable achievements in 2024 

Sree Bala Yoga Studio, Associate Centre of the Indian Yoga Association, celebrated a year of significant milestones in 2024, underscoring its commitment to yoga education and community wellness. The studio conducted two sessions of its 200-hour Certificate Course in Yoga and a 500-hour Advanced Certificate…

Ananda Chaitanya Meditation Center launches in Coimbatore 

The Ananda Chaitanya Meditation Center in Kurumbapalayam, Coimbatore, Associate Centre of the Indian Yoga Association was inaugurated with grandeur on December 20, 2024. The event began with the traditional lighting of the kuthuvilakku by renowned writer Jeyamohan, symbolizing the dispelling of ignorance and the illumination…



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07 Feb 2025

Yogavani

Yoga and Healthy Ageing
Editorial

Yoga and Healthy Ageing 

Yoga is an applied science that re-establishes the lost balance by enriching our mind. It is a classical Indian form that creates a dynamic connectivity between body, mind and soul. Yoga helps one age better and improves flexibility and strength of the body through simple practices. Mental health may include an individual’s ability to enjoy life, and create a balance between life activities and efforts to achieve psychological resilience.

Yoga is a spiritual way of life that transcends all ages. Evolution from “I” to “WE;” from being a limited individual to becoming an expanded universal human being is made possible through Yoga, which is a classical Indian form that creates a dynamic connectivity between body, mind and soul. One can start learning this art at any age; in fact experts believe Yoga helps one age better and improves flexibility and strength of the body through simple and uncomplicated practices as well as to stay physically fit, mentally alert, and enhance spirituality.

Ageing is an inevitable natural process associated with sluggish metabolism, demineralization of bone and decreased energy levels, feeling of weakness and decrease in power of resistance. Injuries take longer to recover with common complaints of arthritis, rheumatism, incontinence, insomnia, constipation, coughing, difficulty in breathing, bronchitis, prostate enlargement, high blood pressure, diabetes, paralysis, etc., coupled with mental depression, loneliness, anxiety, suspicion, self-centeredness, low self-esteem due to wear and tear of the brain tissues. This raises the need for the seniors to stay fit and healthy during this age, though degeneration of the body also set some limits to the types of exercises they can do.

Yoga practice increases hippocampus gray matter volume in non-demented elderly. Comprehensive lifestyle intervention was associated with significant increase in telomere length and improved telomerase activity. A review included all studies of yoga with older adults and concluded that there were trends toward improvement in strength, balance, gait and flexibility in older adults participating in yoga. Interventions that are more holistic and comprehensive can address multiple aspects of health in well-being at the same time.
Telomere shortness in human beings is a prognostic marker of ageing, disease, and premature morbidity. It was concluded by Dean Ornish and colleagues that comprehensive lifestyle intervention was associated with significant increase in telomere length and improved telomerase activity.
Dr Meena Ramanathan and colleagues recommended that Yoga should be made a part of health-care facilities for elderly as it can enhance the quality of life by improving their overall mental health status. It could provide a healthy and positive alternative from depressing negative thoughts, and give them a sense of purpose and hope. They gave evidence of the positive influence of Yoga in reduction of depression and anxiety scores and improvement in self-esteem scores in elderly women attributed to changes in central neurotransmitters such as gamma-aminobutyric-acid coupled with increased parasympathetic tone and decreased sympatho-adrenal activity.

Yogic techniques aim at maintaining and improving the various motor skills and preserve physical, mental and social well-being in the seniors. The effort in trying to achieve the pose helps them gain the benefit which is of primary importance. Yoga is beneficial in prevention and control of common health and emotional problems that are linked with old age creating a positive approach in life.

A group session of Yoga is a big motivation that helps one to enhance their skills and overcome individual limitations. When they interact with people of their own age and calibre their problems and pain seems infinitesimal in comparison to that of the others around. Group session is a therapy on its own as it enhances the meaning and purpose of their lives. ‘Silver Yoga Hour’ enlivens and cheers up their spirits, gives them something to ‘look-forward-to’, something to get dressed up for and many things to share amongst their new-found “Yoga-friends”.

Yogamaharishi Dr Swami Gitananda Giri Guru Maharaj states, “Yoga is the science and art of right-use-ness of body, emotions and mind”. Growing old no longer has to mean steadily declining health. The miracles of modern medicine, improved diets, better living conditions and awareness help people maintain their physical health, fitness and promote vitality in their sunset years. Old age can be made not only bearable but also pleasurable. After all, old age is not a matter of years but a condition of mind and yoga brings a healthy state of mind. Yoga has proven to be immensely therapeutic in preventing deterioration through ageing. Promoting healthy lifestyle in the elderly is vital in helping them maintain good health and lead happy and independent lives. Yoga has been proven to help alleviate or reduce many of these health challenges, making it an increasingly popular choice in the adult population. The simple yet immensely beneficial effect of yoga slows down and reverses the ageing process. Yoga may not only add a few years to life but also may add life to the years. Hence practice of yoga should become an integral part of old age.

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