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You’re never too old to practice yoga. If you haven’t tried it yet, you may be surprised to learn that it won’t turn you into a pretzel shape. Simply put, it’s a combination of gentle movement, meditation and breath control and a wonderful way to destress. Learn more about the many benefits of yoga. Find more health tips at AARP® Staying Sharp®, an AARP member benefit, today.
I've been practicing yoga as well as teaching it for 20+ yrs. What I love about it and can't stress enough is that it's accessible to everyone, your age, body shape, or fitness level doesn't matter. Anyone who asks me what yoga really is, I tell them it's the best path to independence, longevity and vitality.
I started practicing yoga as a preteen, from a girls' magazine. It was the sun salutation and I later learned how much I did incorrectly. Over 50 years later, yoga and walking are still my go-to exercises. If I do no other workout, I practice yoga.
I am 81 years of age and in 1996 I had an auto accident which affected my spine, I was fortunate enough to have a physical therapist that taught me several yoga positions. Every day since then I have been doing these yoga exercises along with a few others. It has kept my body balanced along with less pain and discomfort. One orthopedic surge told me to never allow a Doctor to operate on my spine and told me physical therapy is the best tool I could ever use, it works.