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* EXERCISE Namaste


Yoga is benefi cial regardless of your age and fi tness level


Staying active is important at any age, as a means of boosting physical and mental health. It may become more diffi cult to do as you get older, but staying physically active helps to prevent chronic illness, maintain agility and balance and keep stress at bay. Yoga — which involves a series of postures,


breathing exercises and meditation — is one popular form of physical activity that can be man- aged at any fi tness level. There are more than 100 types of yoga, ranging from gentle to power and hot yoga, which will leave you dripping with sweat. There’s even a special type of yoga for seniors,


12 | MATTERS OF HEALTH


geared toward restoring fl exibility, strength and agility. Consult with your healthcare provider to fi nd one that best suits your fi tness level and goals. According to the American Osteopathic Associa-


tion, the physical benefi ts of yoga include improve- ments to fl exibility, muscle strength and tone; respiration, energy and vitality; metabolism; athletic performance; weight reduction; cardiovascular and circulatory health; and protection from injury. In addition to the mood-boosting benefi ts of


any physical activity, yoga incorporates breathing exercises and meditation, which have been shown to reduce stress and increase relaxation.


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