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What’s New the Newest Exercise Class at
Hint: It has a long list of health benefits:
Increases range of motion and flexibility, builds stronger muscles, improves posture
and balance, reduces emotional and physical stress, and increases self-awareness and
self-esteem.
If you guessed the new Yoga class that meets every Wednesday at 10:30 in the PAC,
you are right.
Studies conducted by Columbia University and New York University found that
in over 200 participants who practiced twelve basic poses every day for ten years
showed improved bone density of the spine and femur without suffering any fractures
or serious injuries.
Weight-bearing activity is often recommended to patients with bone loss, and Dr.
Fishman argues that certain yoga positions fit the bill. “Yoga puts more pressure on
bone than gravity does,” he said in an interview. “By opposing one group of muscles
against another, it stimulates osteocytes, the bone-making cells.”
Many participants were avoiding drugs in an effort to lessen side effects of
gastrointestinal problems. On the other hand, yoga’s “side effects,” Dr. Fishman
and colleagues wrote recently, “include better posture, improved balance, enhanced
coordination, greater range of motion, higher strength, reduced levels of anxiety and
better gait.”
The practice of yoga can be protective even if bone density did not
increase improvements in posture and
balance.Dr. Fishman
said. “Spinal fractures can result from poor posture, and
there’s no medication for that, but yoga is helpful,” he said.
In addition, “Yoga is good for range of motion, strength,
coordination and reduced anxiety,” he said, “all of
which contribute to the ability to stay upright and
not fall. If you don’t fall, you greatly reduce
your risk of a serious fracture.”
Relaxation and breathing is the other side of
Yoga that reduces stress, anxiety, and depression
which in turn improves blood pressure, quality of
sleep, and feeling of well-being. Consider trying
this new class involving no mats on the floor or
strange mantra and most poses are either seated or
standing with lots of good safe stretching.
• 4 •
The Pinecone
|
February 2016
We have had great participation in the
60 Days of Exercise Challenge with
Dots on the board representing over
500 sessions of exercise
by 36 participants.
With the possibility to have multiple
winners, we will draw a name from
the top number of exercisers,
to select the winner of the
Exquisite Cuisine meal for two.
Some consolation prizes
will be awarded too.
Be looking for more detail about
Walk with Ease
classes coming in March.
This is a great way to begin an
exercise program starting with a
10 minute walk. Class is limited to 15.
Register with Jesse in the Activities
Office or Mary in the Oasis.
Our first class is March 14,
meeting twice a week for 9 weeks.
6 0 DA Y S O F E X E R C I S E
• • • C H A L L E N G E • • •
Kirby Pines Estates?