Abstract
The practice of yoga asanas (postures) may be an optimal method of preserving or enhancing physical function in older men and women. However, the physical demands, efficacy and safety of an asana practice for seniors have not been well studied. The Yoga Empowers Seniors Study (YESS) is an intervention development study that created two senior-adapted series of asanas targeted for an ambulatory older population. YESS is using biomechanics and physical performance tests to acquire information about the physical demands placed on the muscles and joints by the asanas and the functional performance adaptations resulting from the yoga practice. This manuscript details the standardized, senior-adapted, YESS asana series and the additional asana modifications provided when participants had physical limitations. This presentation will enable the yoga research and teaching communities to interpret the biomechanics, physical performance and side effects outcomes of YESS.
Highlights
IntroductionRationale and design of the study but mainly details the asana series that were used in the project
Yoga is commonly viewed as a safe and effective means of increasing the strength, flexibility, and functional capacity of seniors
As a step toward this end, we conducted the Yoga Empowers Seniors Study (YESS). This manuscript provides a brief overview of the rationale and design of the study but mainly details the asana series that were used in the project
Summary
Rationale and design of the study but mainly details the asana series that were used in the project. With aging come more limiting musculoskeletal conditions, such as osteoarthritis and low back syndromes that likely put seniors at higher risk of musculoskeletal side effects from yoga and that demand targeted asana modifications. In our prior clinical trial of yoga for excess thoracic curvature (hyperkyphosis), conducted in men and women aged 60-90 years of age, approximately 60% of the 120 participants developed musculoskeletal soreness and/or pain significant enough to require additional variations of their poses (versions adapted for seniors with kyphosis were already being used) [4]. We used a biomechanics approach to capture information about the physical demands placed on the muscles and joints by the specific asanas we employed, as well as the functional performance adaptations (e.g. gait, strength or balance changes) associated with practicing these postures. We will present the senior-adapted YESS asana series and the additional modifications provided when participants had physical limitations
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