Another great way to boost the flexibility of your entire body is yoga.
One great set of yoga videos can be found on YouTube. Esther Ekhart, an experienced yogi, posts a variety of videos under the username ‘yogatic’. These short routines target specific areas of the body, strengthening muscles, increasing circulation, and improving flexiblity. I like to start out my mornings with a quick yoga routine because I find that it also greatly boosts my mental clarity throughout the day.
Yoga has benefits for both the mind and the body. According to naturalnews.com, “Learning yoga develops self-discipline and will improve concentration and memory. Yoga is different from conventional forms of exercise because the focus is on quality of movement instead of quantity.” Because yoga focuses on a variety of positions and uses the weight of your body to build muscle, it is a good, safe alternative to other strength-training exercises such as weight training. If you’re worried about yoga being too much of a challenge for you, remember that there are a variety of difficulty levels and you can always start out with a beginner routine and later build upon that. Yoga classes at your local gym or recreational center can also make learning yoga easier.
If you’re not sure about pursuing yoga as a regular form of exercise, consider pilates. Pilates is a great, low impact way to strengthen your core muscles and improve your flexibility. Like yoga, pilates utilizes a variety of moves to target various areas of your body. According to pilates.com, “More conventional or traditional workouts are weight bearing and tend to build short, bulky muscles – the type most prone to injury. Pilates elongates and strengthens, improving muscle elasticity and joint mobility.
A body with balanced strength and flexibility is less likely to be injured.” Your local gym or recreational center should offer pilates classes, but if you’re not ready for a group fitness setting, try a home DVD from Target or Wal-Mart. Though pilates and yoga don’t need a lot of equipment, you may want to invest in an exercise mat which will provide extra cushioning from the floor. Exercise mats are available at Target, Wal-Mart, or any sporting goods store. Like yoga, pilates can help to invigorate your entire body and refresh your mind.
Protecting your joints from injury is one of the most important things you can do.
As we age, we become more vulnerable to injury. Arthritis, osteoporosis, and the muscle shrinkage that comes with age can all increase our risk of injury. High-impact exercise, though effective, often results in strained muscles or joint pain. A great way to prevent injury while strengthening your body is to engage in low-impact activity, while properly equipped. Think about incorporating some low-impact exercises to boost your strength and stamina several days a week. Ask a friend or family member to join you!
Also, consider investing in a Medicare Supplement Plan or Medicare Advantage Plan to maximize your healthcare coverage.
What are your favorite low-impact work-outs? How do you plan on building healthy joints?
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