Yoga for Strength and Balance Training – Focus on Fracture Prevention

How do you want to grow old?

It’s a question we often neglect to ask ourselves – until it’s too late!

But did you know that if you are currently 50 or 60 years old, you can expect to live till the age of 83?

And, did you know that you have great power to impact whether those years will be healthy and enjoyable?

Okay, you are likely already doing what you can to stack the odds in your favor. You eat mostly healthy foods, try get enough exercise, do yoga, take supplements, and so on.

But did you know that there’s one main determinant for healthy aging that most people ignore?

And, that that one thing can change your aging trajectory for the worse and seriously undermine your ability to enjoy the last decades of your life.

We are talking about falls and fractures. One of the most common factors which, literally, trip people up and changes their aging trajectory are falls. Falls result in head injuries, broken bones, and decreased mobility because most people become afraid of moving once they’ve fallen once.

Falls are what is known as a sentinel event. It’s something that happens, which may forever change the way you age.

Falls are linked to higher mortality—either via head injury or broken bones. Studies have shown, for example, that among people 65 and older, 15-60% of those with a hip fracture die within a year. And, even if you survive, you have increased risk of becoming permanently disabled and ending up in a nursing home.

While most fall-related fractures occur after the age of 65, recent report from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill suggests that falls are an important cause of concern for all ages, starting in between the ages of 45 and 55.

Can yoga help us reduce fall and fracture risk? And if so, how?

Let us count the ways. Yoga can help build strength and balance and enhance neuromuscular integration. All of these factors are essential for both fall and fracture prevention.

What’s more, in contrast to traditional strength-training approaches, yoga offers a holistic approach to not only keep your muscles strong, but also functioning in a balanced, integrated way.

How do you tailor your yoga practice to achieve these benefits? And, if you’re over the age of 45, how do you adapt your yoga practice to stay safe and injury-free?

This is a progressive yoga practice series with Julie Gudmestad and Lynn Crimando, which will gradually introduce all the elements you need to develop a yoga practice approach that builds strength and balance in a holistic way. All sessions will be recorded and available to view at your convenience.

What You Will Learn

• Conditions that increase your chances of falling and how yoga can help lower the risk

• A multi-faceted approach to fall prevention using the tools of yoga

• How to reduce fall risk by addressing prime mover strength and stability

• How to enhance proprioceptive awareness by enhancing your sense of verticality and balance

• How to structure your yoga practice to achieve several goals at the same time: strengthening key muscle groups, retaining mobility, developing greater balance and movement integration, and much more.
   

This course qualifies for 9 non-contact CEs with Yoga Alliance.