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Youโre never too old to practice yoga. If you havenโt tried it yet, you may be surprised to learn that it wonโt turn you into a pretzel shape. Simply put, itโs 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 AARPยฎ Staying Sharpยฎ, 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.