Water Exercise Benefits for Seniors

With the arrival of summer, more people will prefer the sunny climate of the outdoors for exercise.  Because water exercise is cooler and more comfortable than exercising on land, an outdoor pool or beach is a  great site for an exercise program that is not only fun but promises numerous health benefits. This is true for seniors who are healthy and it is especially good news for those  seniors who have certain medical conditions such as arthritis, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and hip and knee replacements. If you have a medical condition, always check with your physician prior to starting an exercise program.

Many benefits can be attributed to exercising in the water.  These include increasing your metabolism, helping to build muscle strength, improving balance and range of motion, and relieving tension and stress. Because water exercising is so adaptable, it can be adjusted to meet individual abilities. Therefore, it is a perfect program for all even if you do not know how to swim as most exercises can be done in chest high level water. You need not even get your hair wet!

Water (hydrostatic pressure) provides buoyancy and support for your body so the possibility of injury is minimal.  You will be less likely to feel sore after exercise due to the support of the water.

Water exercise strengthens and tones muscles because of the resistance provided by the water.  This helps to improve cardiac fitness levels. You can burn more energy by exercising in water due to its resistance than you can on land activities.

Your flexibility will improve with less strain on your joints due to the support of the water.  This support permits you to move into positions that would be impossible on land and still maintain your balance. 

Published by Nancy Schaaf

My diverse background as an educator, nurse, and massage therapist has enriched my life. Recently, I self-published my family genealogy. I write and edit my church newsletter.   View profile

View the original article here

The Right Beginner Yoga Class For You

The Right Beginner Yoga Class For You

You have four main points you should consider how to find the right Yoga class for you. Of course, I am considering you are a beginner, and you probably are going to have doubts about what you are going to find and what to expect when you first enter a beginner Yoga Class on your first day.

To answer these doubts you should read to following four points. They will help you to take the right way to succeed as a Yogi.

Point 1:  Decide on what you want to achieve before choosing a style.

We may find many different reasons to join to a Yoga Class. However the most common are:

physical health; mental health or spiritual health.  

All three reasons are important and all three are realistic targets to be reach. Whatever it is what you are trying to achieve through Yoga there will be a type of class and style that is more suitable for you.  You must do your research in a library, online or even by asking various Yogis and this will help you find the Yoga that will give the best results for you.

Point 2:  Join a Pay as You Go class.

Pay as you go classes referrers to a drop in class. These kinds of classes are a good way of getting a better feeling for Yoga. There will be a regular rotation of many students and the contrasting of the different levels will mean the instructor will keep the classes at a relatively calm stage and give everyone an experience of many different aspects of Yoga.

These different kinds of aspects will open your perspectives and will be a great opportunity for get the right sense of the type of practice you want to follow and to readjust your initial plan.

Now you know the kind of classes you want to assist it is time to jump to point three.

Point 3: Be sure to get a good instructor

Be careful about the instructor knowledge. The wrong teacher may cause you more problems than physical benefits. All your exercises and their intensity should be according your student level.

Pushing too hard at the beginning may cause physical injuries. In addition, this issue should be an aspect that students and instructor should have always in their minds.

So, ask for the credentials of your instructor a good one as nothing to hide from you and will not be offended.

Point 4:  Be aware of the additional costs.

Take care to know all the rules of the gym so you do not have unpleasant surprises such us: special kind of materials request to use on the classes and that you should pay for, and books that you must buy for following the classes, and so on.

These materials can cost you a considerable amount of money you may not expect. Therefore, it will be better to ask for all that kind of stuff before you decide to join that Yoga classes.

Hope you find these lines useful and thank you for reading.

Jose Zózimo.