I love yoga, but it took me until I was 48 years old to find out.

No one told me about yoga—not the doctor who diagnosed me with arthritis at the age of 39 nor the urgent care nurse who told me I had bursitis in my shoulder almost 10 years later. They told me what not to do to prevent further injury, but nothing about how to maintain mobility and stay pain free.

It wasn't until I was working the circulation desk at the library when I saw the book “Yoga for Arthritis” by Loren Fishman, MD, and Ellen Saltonstall, that I had any idea there might be an alternative to aging with increasing stiffness. I took the book home and started to do some of the easier poses, especially the ones targeted to my problem areas.

I then found a gentle yoga class offered through the Escanaba YMCA. The class was taught by a woman in her 60s who had her own challenges with some of the poses because of recent surgery. She was sure to caution us to stretch within our own capabilities, so I felt comfortable right away.

Yoga: The Fountain of Youth

Most people know that yoga increases flexibility, improves balance, and strengthens muscles, but studies have shown that it can lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormone secretion, and alleviate muscle pain.

For me, yoga has brought renewed mobility and energy. I can easily sit on the floor and play with my dog, work in the garden, kayak, hike, and move freely throughout the day without pain.

I believe yoga is the fountain of youth, allowing us to age without the typical aches and pains, the “bad” back or knees that would prevent us from doing the things that we enjoy into our 80s, maybe even our 90s. Why not?

This week I saw a client in her 80s who had been diagnosed a couple months ago with “Dysfunctional Sacroiliac Joint Syndrome”. In other words, she had a sore hip where the pelvis meets the lower spine. When she first told me of the diagnosis I suggested stretches that specifically targeted that area. She has been doing the stretches ever since and this week was able to report full mobility and no pain! It is miraculous and yet so easy to achieve.

It's Not Just Physical

Although I originally started yoga for its physical benefits, I found that I experienced a state of relaxation that I rarely achieve away from the massage table.

The practice of yoga enables us to de-stress by reducing mental noise. In the book “The Body Keeps the Score” Bessel van der Kolk discusses how people who are stressed need to feel safe in their skin by engaging in some sort of bodywork—yoga, massage, tai chi, craniosacral therapy, etc. “The body is restricted when emotions are bound up inside. Yoga has the potential of releasing pent-up emotions and connecting mind and body.”

Get Stretching without Fear

Many of us who come to yoga as middle-aged or older people can be a little intimidated to start practicing. We’ve seen pictures of people in impossible-looking positions and know that we are never going to reach that level of flexibility.

When I suggest yoga to older clients, I often see a look of fear cross their face. It may be that they think yoga is some form of religious practice or that it requires athletic ability that they don't have. I often use the word “stretches” instead of “yoga” for this reason.

For those of you who are already yoga-ing, I hope I have given you validation for your continued practice.

For beginners, start slowly with easy, gentle poses and an understanding instructor. I have the perfect instructor for you! My in-person yoga instructor, Ginny Lee, has moved her practice online and has just posted two videos for beginners and for those who have limited mobility:

Yoga is for Everyone

Chair Yoga (Look for the orb at 1:08!)

You can view all her videos and others on the Morning Sun Yoga Online Studio website or visit her facebook page, Ginny Lee's Yoga Offerings; Let's Practice.

Let me know about your yoga practices or resources that you use.

I wish you wellness.