Yoga for seniors: an exercise to try !

Yoga for seniors

Why is yoga the ideal exercise for seniors? Why is this discipline dating back more than 5000 years now counting millions of followers in the world? How is a course held? What are the benefits? We answer your questions in the following article.

What is yoga for seniors?

First, yoga is the practice of a set of postures and breathing exercises that aims to bring a physical and mental well being. Yoga has four main components: breath (Pranayama), physical postures (Asanas), psychoenergetic gestures (Mudras and Drishtis) and meditation (Dharana).


Obviously, therapeutic yoga for seniors adapts to the physical abilities of everyone. There are two types of yoga: chair and carpet. Yoga on carpet is best for people who still have good mobility, while chair yoga is more suitable for people with reduced mobility. These two types of yoga sessions are gentle and can provide several positive effects that we will see below. Did you know that therapeutic yoga class for retirees 50 and over is available until November 22, 2019, with the FADOQ card for only $ 45 (total of 10 classes) in Gatineau?


Many private residences for seniors offer yoga as a leisure activity, get the complete list .

What are the benefits of yoga?

According to the yoga teacher, Carole Morency, in an interview with La Presse , " the muscle mass decreases by 30% when we reach 70 years. With the practice of yoga, we strengthen the musculature, so we support the bones and the skeleton. And so the balance .


In addition, at a certain age, the joints are more fragile and painful, so you have to move them to avoid certain blockages. Yoga is very helpful in this case, since many yoga movements are dedicated to the joints. In addition, according to her book Yoga tout: la prévention des chutes , she explains that there is a series of asanas (postures) to improve balance, restore energy and strength, to prevent falls.


According to the Government of Canada , yoga helps keep muscles and bones strong as well as preventing bone loss. It also improves balance and posture. Physical activity helps to prevent heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis and type 2 diabetes. The government also states that it is beneficial to practice strengthening activities such as: yoga that mobilizes major muscle groups at least twice a week to improve posture and balance.

And on the mind?

Yoga postures also allow a state of peace and calm, thanks to slow breathing and gentle movements, which provides balance on the physical, mental and emotional levels.


Gentle stretches or yoga, as part of your late-night relaxation routine, can go a long way towards overcoming sleep problems related to sleep time and sleep quality.

How is a course held?

Yoga for seniors includes gentle stretching, breathing, relaxation and centering exercises. Therapeutic yoga for seniors adapts to each person's physical abilities. Normally, groups are formed from 8 to 14 people and classes are taught by qualified yoga teachers.

Find now a residence for seniors that offers yoga classes:

To learn more about Bonjour Résidences or to get help finding the right place for you, contact a member of our team. It will be our pleasure to assist you.
Contact us 1 844 918-1020.
For an accommodation request online on Bonjour Résidences, complete this form .