What is Yoga?

When most people think of yoga, they think of wellness and relaxation, not fitness. But you’ll notice we included this article in our Fitness category. While yoga involves plenty of gentle stretching, deep breathing and meditation (which have been shown to do everything from alleviating stress to lessening chronic pain), it’s also an effective total body workout for people of all ages and fitness levels.

A series of movements or “asanas” that began in India more than 5,000 years ago, yoga — derived from the Sanskrit word “yuji,” meaning yoke or union of mind and body — is a low-impact workout that gets results.

Isn’t Yoga for the Young and Flexible?

Yoga isn’t just for bendy 20-somethings who can twist themselves into pretzels. In fact, it’s a practice that can be more beneficial and meaningful as we age. Yoga is deeply customizable — which means it can be tailored to any age, ability, or level of fitness. “Yoga is 100 percent customizable,” explains yoga instructor and wellness expert Lorraine C. Ladish. “You can make the same pose restorative and relaxing by using props like bolsters or yoga blankets or make it a power pose by using your own strength to sustain it.” If you have stiff hamstrings or a tightly wound mind you can find solace in the restorative poses.

Yoga builds strength, flexibility and balance without putting pressure on the joints. Studies consistently show that this weight-bearing activity helps slow bone thinning, reducing the risks of osteoporosis, particularly among postmenopausal women.

And when done in a series of flowing, nonstop movements, yoga improves cardiovascular endurance. What’s more, regularly practicing yoga has been shown to boost mental fitness in areas such as memory, clarity and focus. One study even showed benefits accruing in those who already had mild cognitive impairment.

Takeaways

Getting started with yoga is easier than you might think. Classes are offered in a wide range of levels, and the practice itself emphasizes making poses work for you as an individual.

Choosing yoga is about more than just adopting a new form of exercise; it’s about embracing a philosophy and practice that promotes overall well-being. Yoga offers a gentle yet powerful path to improved physical health, emotional resilience, and mental clarity. It fosters a sense of community and support, which is invaluable at any stage of life.