Yoga cultivates a mind-body connection, combining stretching and strengthening postures with deep breathing and relaxation. Despite its roots in Eastern philosophy, yoga as practiced in the West is generally focused on physical fitness. People of all faiths and belief systems can benefit from participating in yoga as an exercise.

Because the poses can easily be modified or adapted to suit an individual’s needs, yoga is safe for seniors of all fitness or ability levels. In fact, it can be an excellent way to keep your body strong and healthy without the joint stress that comes from other activities like weightlifting or even jogging.  You can start yoga at any age as long as you consult with your doctor before start the yoga fitness moves.

Benefits of yoga for seniors include:

• Better balance: Many yoga poses focus on strengthening the abdominal muscles and improving core stability. This can help you become steadier on your feet and reduce your risk of falls.
• Improved flexibility: Holding a pose for several breaths encourages your muscles and connective tissues to relax and loosen, which helps to increase range of motion. The International Journal of Yoga Therapy has shown that regularly engaging in yoga can significantly boost overall flexibility of older adults.
• Enhanced breathing: Breathing control practices of yoga can expand lung capacity and improve pulmonary health. The Journal of Human Kinetics study found that elderly women who practiced yoga three times a week for 12 weeks saw a significant improvement in their respiratory function.
• Stronger bones: For aging seniors, a consistent yoga routine that includes weight-bearing postures can help improve bone strength and osteoporosis. Some promising research has suggested that doing yoga can actually improve bone density in postmenopausal women also.
• Reduced anxiety and stress: Through meditation and mindful breathing, yoga encourages you to develop peace of mind. As such, this can even lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol and help ease symptoms of anxiety and depression. 
• Better sleep: Yoga can help alleviate sleep disturbances, which are common complaints among seniors. In a study published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, adults over age 60 who struggled with insomnia participated in yoga classes twice a week and practiced daily sessions at home. After three months, the group reported significant improvements in both the duration and overall quality of sleep.