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dailytechnologynews · 5 years

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MacBook Pro Keyboard Failures: Why Apples dust excuse is bullshit! [Teardown + Explanations]

Original source: https://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/bjtyaw/macbook_pro_keyboard_failures_why_apples_dust/

Today we will be tearing down a MacBook Pro keyboard to try and figure out some possible causes for all the failures that these keyboards get. Settle down, because this will be a bit of a long post. Hopefully you'll at least learn something from this.

My Background:

I've worked as an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) Technician for the last 3 years.

Before that, I use to work as a 3rd party Technician at an Apple-focused repair shop.

Because of this experience, I stand in an interesting position where I use to see all the shit Apple pulls in order to make 3rd party and DIY repair difficult, and now I sit in a position where I can see exactly how Apple deals with these issues and get a more-representative ideas of how the machine fails, how many fail, and exactly what the most common failures are.

History:

Apple originally released the Butterfly-style keyboard back in 2015 with the release of the 12" Macbook. Afterwards in 2016, this keyboard design was expanded to all Macbook Pros. The butterfly keyboard is different from a conventional rubber-dome keyboard that was used for 20+ years before that. It uses a metal dome that buckles under enough stress and makes contact between 2 metal terminals, and the keycap itself is held up with a butterfly-style henge rather than a traditional scissor hinge. Both are pictured further down.

This entire experiment began with a thought: How could something as simple as dust kill the keyboard switch?

My old 3rd party tech instincts say that this should not be possible, since there are billions of smartphones that use metal-dome style buttons that do not experience failures like this.

Apples official stance is that dust manages to somehow enter the keyboard and cause the issues. This can cause things like:

Keyboard keys feel sticky, crunchy, or are physically jammed.

Keyboard does not input even though you pressed the key.

Keyboard inputs the same character 2+ times even though you only pressed the button once. https://www.apple.com/support/keyboard-service-program-for-macbook-and-macbook-pro/

Their official documentation also states that you can "fix" the issue by using compressed air to blow out the keys. https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT205662

When it comes to failures, there's 3 schools of thought about how the switches fail:

"Dust" Theory. This generally takes apples words at face value and don't go deep into it.

"Heat" Theory. This assumes that Dust Theory is bullshit and assumes that overheating causes the material to expand and warp enough to render the buttons inoperable (2018 TouchBar models in particular).

"Shit Design" Theory. This assumes and accepts that it's just awful design.

You may have also seen articles like https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/macbook-pro-keyboard-failure-rate-double-older-models/ that say that keyboard failure is in the low 10% range, but these should not be accepted at all since they do not take into account a number of things that critically invalidate these statistics as a whole:

They come directly from apple, which is a huge conflict of interest considering they have to sell these machines to make money.

They do not take into account the number of repairs that were turned down due to the cost of the repair itself, which is around 500USD before the keyboard replacement program came into effect.

They do not take into account the number of people that don't want to go to apple or cannot go to apple due to time constraints, especially since most countries do not offer over-the-phone mail-in repairs on Macs.

They do not take into account the number of people who just avoid apple stores and AASP in general and instead go to local 3rd party repair stores.

The keyboard program was introduced June 22, 2018, meaning that anyone before that date who does not have warranty was forced to pay 500USD for the replacement part, and most likely falls into the above. Notice how conveniently these statistics don't include numbers for 2018?

From my experience as an Apple Technician, here are the most commonly reported problems at my store, in order of most to least common:

No-input, particularly from all vowel keys, most commonly used consonants, spacebar, enter, and shift.

Multi-input, particularly from all vowel keys, most commonly used consonants, spacebar, enter, and shift.

Sticky/Crunchy/Stuck keys.

As for demographic, the most common folks we see with these issues are:

Writers or any kind (blog, scripts, office workers, etc).

Students of all kinds.

Programmers.

With that said, here are a few things that were floating around in my head:

The first red flag about the dust hypothesis should be the failure types. Only 1/3 are related to physical objects actually preventing the keys from working. The other 2/3 are related to electricity, specifically whether the circuit in the switch itself is "closed" or "open". Open circuit means that the positive and negative terminals are not connected, which is the equivalent of a keyboard button that is not pressed. Closed circuit is the opposite.

Second red flag is that human dust and household dust is classified as non-conductive. By itself, it does not have enough conductivity to meaningfully carry electricity, so the multi-input style failure should not be possible at all. The No-input failure can somewhat be explained with dust, since it can at as an insulator between 2 metal terminals, but keep reading and you'll see why this isn't the case.

Third red flag should be specifically which keys fail. Spacebar, enter, shift, vowels, and the most common consonants are the most commonly pressed buttons whenever anyone types on their keyboard. Coincidentally, these buttons are the ones that are reported to fail the most.

Finally, the last red flag is the demographic. All of these are people who type a lot on the machines. While this one is highly anecdotal, most of my customers fall within this demographic.

Enough rambling, on with the teardown!

https://i.imgur.com/5MRswJ6.jpg

In front of me, I have what's referred to as a Top Case assembly. Its essentially the metal frame, battery, keyboard and trackpad, all shipped and prepared as one piece for Apple techs to swap out. This particular one came from a 2017 model MacBook Pro 13", which rocks the 2nd generation of the Butterfly keyboard. This specific top case came from a machine that was "liquid damaged by my drunk roommate" so I have no issues tearing it apart for the greater good.

https://i.imgur.com/dnwTzDO.jpg

After removing the keycaps, here's what the keys actually look like underneath. Theres a few main parts here:

The silver metal dome. Thats what actually teams the machine that a key is pressed. It makes contact between metal pads when it is pressed.

Clear Plastic Housing around metal done. Its there to make sure the dome doesn't go anywhere and keeps it safe.

Butterfly Mechanism. This is the white part all around the perimeter of the clear plastic body.

I included both larger and smaller sized keys just for demonstration purposes.

https://i.imgur.com/VoRDuhG.mp4

Butterfly Mechanism in action. This is actually a genius idea, since it eliminates individual moving parts in favour of a single Large one. Youtube creator Veritasium made a video talking about how flexible moving pieces have a lot more advantages over multi-piece hinges (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97t7Xj_iBv0).

https://i.imgur.com/8zsuDFg.mp4

Metal dome in action. This is what happens to the dome and butterfly mechanism when the key is pressed.

https://i.imgur.com/SROBJRq.jpg

Here's an example of something that can cause the "Sticky, Crunchy, or Stuck Keys" problem. Having crumbs, or sticky liquids, or other gunk will cause your keys to feel weird, or to stop working. These are genuinely caused by crap getting stuck between the mechanism. Enough of these can definitely jam a key. The 3rd generation keyboards help negate this problem by adding a rubber piece around the perimeter of the butterfly mechanism in order to reduce ingress of larger bits into the mechanism.

https://i.imgur.com/fauw47h.mp4

Example of how a key can get jammed. That single large piece prevents the mechanism and switch from pressing down al the way.

https://i.imgur.com/SogaaLg.mp4

Upon further inspection, we run into another blockade in the Dust theory, a see-through plastic barrier that encloses the entire switch.

The purpose of this barrier is both ingress-protection and to make sure the metal dome stays in its proper place, as you'll see later.

https://i.imgur.com/N2YxJhs.mp4

There is also this black tape-like material covering the top portion. After peeling it off, I discovered that this is where there is a little lip that overhangs the plastic housing. Most likely this is so that the domes can be replaced by the companies that refurbish all the old parts/devices apple sends to them.

https://i.imgur.com/1KDJK2n.mp4

It wasn't very hard to peel it off, but the plastic film was adhered to the plastic frame. Again, a huge dead-end forest theory since it physically cannot get in through this area.

https://i.imgur.com/GqsUHrz.jpg

A close-up of the film and the metal dome itself.

https://i.imgur.com/6zVVFuY.mp4

After examining the dome, I discovered that it is not at all soldered down into place, but rather it is free-floating within the plastic housing. Whether it makes a connection or not depends on how well its legs are contacting those gold pads in the corners.

https://i.imgur.com/LAM75Lz.jpg

Top side of the dome itself. The 4 outer legs are what make contact with the gold pads that are used to carry electrical signals. The dome itself appears to be Steel. It is also incredibly light, it's no wonder the film has to keep it down.

https://i.imgur.com/ZBi4jau.jpg

Bottom side. That brown part is not corrosion, that's just laser-cutting left-overs from when the dome is manufactured. I checked, all the metal dome have these marks.

https://i.imgur.com/JmWD4DD.jpg

Close-up of the plastic body around the metal dome. Here we see 6 gold pads. All 6 of those are for carrying electrical signals. There is also a large hole close to the oval-shaped gold pad. This is a ventilation hole.

Now, I know what you're thinking. Ventilation hole? Aha! That's where the dust gets in!

Hold your horses, we are far from done.

https://i.imgur.com/o70lCgg.jpg

The plastic body takes a bit of effort to remove, thanks to the fact that it uses 4 plastic legs that are riveted to the underside of the board.

https://i.imgur.com/tqLXY1c.jpg

Once removed, we see that the entire plastic body is surrounded by an adhesive film with no obvious gaps in its seal. This is another dead-end for the dust-ingress theory, since the entire plastic body is sealed around the perimeter. For the sake of thoroughness, I tested the conductivity of all the gold pads; the 4 outer pads along with the oval-shaped one in the middle are all connected and act as a single end of the terminal, while the round central pad is a second terminal. Once these 2 are bridged by a conductive object, like a metal dome, they will register as a keypress.

https://i.imgur.com/EHIkSsn.mp4

Just to give you an idea, You can see my trying to fit my sharpest set of tweezers under the plastic body. At most it budged a bit to the side, but that's because adhesive is fairly flexible. It takes a fair bit of pressure to puncture that plastic film on top.

https://i.imgur.com/WDD2C8b.jpg

Out of curiosity, I also tore apart the thinner small keys to see what the mechanism looked like. It's the same thing, just a smaller version.

https://i.imgur.com/tkg6RMH.jpg

I attempted to test the "Heat Failure" theory with my heat-gun set to 300C and pointed directly at the metal dome. This was a beyond-extreme-case test to see if the key would warp and possibly make contact.

Since MacBooks have god-awful cooling and will heat up to very hot temperatures in order to ensure that the machine stays as quiet as possible (which is a questionable method overall, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=947op8yKJRY talks about it more), some people suspected that the expansion and contraction of material can cause these keys to stop working.

After leaving it under heat for 2 minutes, it did not move a millimetre. This theory is very unlikely since there are keys that fail that do not sit in the same area as the Processor cooler (which can reach 70-100C pretty easily on these models).

At this point, I finished tearing up the entire top-side of the keyboard, so I turned my attention to the underside.

https://i.imgur.com/IZsaOvE.jpg

The keyboard is covered by a large, layered film material. Based on its thickness, it is likely meant to serve several purposes:

As a heat insulator for the keyboard area.

As an insulator for electrical signals between the Motherboard and the metal frame/keyboard itself.

As a barrier to prevent dust and crumbs from interfering with operation.

https://i.imgur.com/iEdRuZs.jpg

After removing it, I found a small surprise. The keyboard itself sits on one giant PCB (Printed Circuit Board) and even has a fair bit of componentry on it! Quick google search showed that the 4 large chips on the right are for controlling the LED backlight, the pair of smaller chips in the middle are some sort of micro controllers (probably for the keyboard itself), and the components on the left are a mystery; I suspect they're the fan control/PWM (pulse width modulation) circuit for the fan, since the fan connects directly into the keyboard on all new models

https://i.imgur.com/6Pm0Uqd.jpg

Whats this? A dust filter? In my friendly christian teardown? Dust filter indeed. This is one of the finest filters I've seen in years! (pun intended).

After looking at it, it turns out that this dust filter is used for the breathing hole that was pictured in the Switch teardown further up the post.

Another dead-end for the Dust Theory, since the breather hole itself is covered by a very fine mesh.

https://i.imgur.com/hycxJcR.jpg

Here's the tip of a 0.5mm ballot pen for size reference. Most dust and all hairs will not be able to fit between this mesh, which only further solidifies the dismissal of the Dust Theory.

https://i.imgur.com/rVfLEkF.jpg

This is the closest shot of the mesh that I can get. This is with 10x Macro lens + iPhone camera at full zoom. Pen marks for size reference.

https://i.imgur.com/hjIboNB.mp4

Here's a short clip of the alignment of the dust filter with the breather hole along with visible movement from the underside of the metal dome and butterfly mechanism.

https://i.imgur.com/4rtoCUP.jpg

After looking closer at the protective keyboard insulator bit, I noticed that the entire mesh portion is surrounded by an adhesive-material, with absolutely 0 gaps around the hole. This basically puts a dead-end to the last possible entry point for dust, since this entire breather hole is not only sealed by adhesives on both top and bottom, but also a clear film on top side and an extremely fine mesh on the bottom of the switch.

At this point, there should be little reason to believe that dust can get in there, since every possible vector of attack is throughly sealed and/or protected.

Contrary to popular belief, Apple actually took a lot of effort sealing these switches from the elements.

https://i.imgur.com/9pmrI0A.jpg

I found some household dust and threw it on the mesh. As you can see, the mesh is not having trouble stopping these tiny bits.

https://i.imgur.com/j32hfyl.mp4

And finally, here is a demonstration of what happens when the key is assembled and pressed under the most extreme of dusty conditions. I threw literally an entire pile of dust on that breather hole.

Since these switches are pretty much sealed from all angles other than this breather hole, this is where all the air can freely move in the switch. Once assembled, the design of the switch actually very closely resembles that of a conventional speaker, which deals with air pressure inside its sealed chamber by allowing the air to freely enter and exit its port hole. Once the key is pressed, there is a higher air pressure created between the PCB and metal dome. Since this pressure needs to go somewhere to prevent rupturing the plastic film, all of it immediately gets pushed out of this single vent. Any dust that has accumulated on this opening will immediately be ejected from the mesh filter. Bear in mind that the laptop would technically be upside-down if you viewed it from this angle. In reality, the dust would actually fall to the underside of the Logic board, which sits in very close proximity to this breather hole.

Excuse the shit quality, I had to heavily compress and alter the vids quality to make it fit into an upload able GIF.

https://i.imgur.com/i6a1KWK.jpg

See that rivet? There are close to 70 of these holding the keyboard into place, along with a battery that's glued in on-top of the bottom portion. You want DIY repairs? Good luck with that. This is why Apple ships these as a "Top Case Assembly" rather than "Keyboard".At this point, there is no evidence left at all that dust is the cause of failures for this switch, especially not for the Double-Input issue since that entirely relies on how long and how many electrical signals are detected by the keyboard controller. There is absolutely no reason why dust or humidity can cause this, especially with no easy entry points and the general lack of electrical conductivity of both dust and water.

The No-Input issue can still somewhat be explained by a few other theories (Humidity, or oxidation of the underside of the dome), but both these theories still have a lot of holes (breather hole pushes humidity out when key is pressed, gold contacts do not oxidize on their own, corroded material will get slightly worn off when one and pads make repeated contact with dome, the amount of dust and water needed to cause these situations is fairly high, etc).

Why is this teardown so important***?***

It proves that Apple themselves have no idea how to deal with the issue and that dust was either just an excuse to satisfy their customer bases demand for an answer, or their engineers are genuinely nowhere near as smart as everyone thinks they are. I'm not sure which of these two is worse. Considering they've had 4 years to deal with it, i'm leaning more towards the latter.

The way Apple is handling this problem is actually far from good. People think that its nice of them to have a repair program for the issue, but this is actually just a shitty half-assed bandaid fix for the problem. As it stands, the current situation is as follows:

All 12" MacBooks + 2018 Air + all 2016-2018 Pro models will eventually develop keyboard issues, its a matter of time.

All 2016/2017 pros (and 12" 2015-2017) have the extended keyboard warranty program. This program covers these units for 4 years from original purchase date, meaning that 2016 models coverage ends around 2020/2021, depending on exact purchase date, and 2017 models coverage ends around 2021/2022. 2015 12" Macbook coverage is ending between this year and next year, so 2015 12" owners be prepared!

2018 models are not covered by this program! Currently, they rely entirely on their warranty or consumer protection laws, meaning that if you didn't purchase AppleCare or live on a country where Consumer Protection laws suck, you'll only get support for 1 year out of the box.

For any of the above, once your warranty or keyboard program coverage ends, it's $500 USD per failure to replace the entire top case. There is no "cheaper" aftermarket solution, the keyboards themselves are a nightmare to replace and the aftermarket parts are even more likely to fail. Replacing the part will not permanently fix the issue either since Apple only replaces it with identical parts, meaning they're bound to fail again. On top of that, all machines will be classified as vintage 5 years after their original release date. Once that happens, spare parts from apple go bye bye for good and you'll be left only with the cheaper aftermarket parts that are usually more prone to failure, or be stuck buying used parts which are also failure-prone.

Ownership beyond 3-4 years fo these models is pretty much a gamble at best, and ownership for 2018 models without AppleCare is even more of a gamble since there's no repair program support for them and there is 0 guarantee that these models will be added to that keyboard replacement program at all.

As for what the actual cause is, honestly I don't know. My suspicion is that the metal dome experiences metal fatigue and slowly begin to lose connection, or that that little U-shaped cutout in the centre of the dome weakens and starts to easily bounce when pressed, making contact 2+ times. I honestly cannot test this at home, my equipment is woefully inadequate to go that deep.

Macbook owners, please beware. Always have AppleCare, even if paying extra to cover a flaw that should be properly dealt with is morally questionable and a shitty thing to do. Right now is not a good time to be a Macbook owner or buyer, and please consider whether or not you wish to financially support a company that pulls stunts like these.

This law firm is setting up a class action if anybody wants to join: https://www.research.net/r/MacKeyboard

#hardware #Computer #Technology #Tech #News

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patriotsnet · 3 years

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EmbedEmbed

An NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll finds that men and women hold similar views on abortion overall, but Republican women are more opposed to abortion rights than Republican men.

SCOTT SIMON, HOST:

A majority of Americans support keeping Roe v. Wade in place. Thats the finding of a new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist Poll on abortion. And most favor allowing abortion in at least some situations. But there is one group that stands out for opposing abortion Republican women. NPRs national correspondent Sarah McCammon joins us. Sarah, thanks so much for being with us.

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Supported Members Of Congress

This section does not cite any . Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.

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A look at the numbers helps explain the larger story.

By events alone, the decade was tumultuous from the Republican tsunami in 2010 to the rise of Donald Trump in 2016 and the Democratic correction in 2018. And yet, when you look at the percentage of voters who identify at a Democrat or Republican, the picture is one of stability.

In 2010, the NBC News-Wall Street Journal poll found that 42 percent of registered voters identified as Democrats, while 37 percent identified as Republicans. At the end of 2019, the figures showed 42 percent were Democrats and 37 percent were Republicans. Unchanged.

In other words, Barack Obama and Donald Trump may each be transformative presidents in their own ways, but viewed from 30,000 feet, the net effect of their time in office on the political landscape has been negligible.

Look a little closer, however, and the picture is much more fluid.

Start with education. The last decade has seen noteworthy shifts among voters with and without a college degree.

Those are dramatic swings among big parts of the electorate that have impacts across the country. Its a big part of the reason Democrats have increased their margins in highly educated urban areas.

Gallup: Percentage Of Pro

A new Gallup survey out today finds the percentage of Americans who identify them selves as supporting legalized abortion has dropped to a record low.

The 41% of Americans who now identify themselves as pro-choice is down from 47% last July and is one percentage point below the previous record low in Gallup trends, recorded in May 2009, the polling firm noted. On the other hand, 51 percent of Americans call themselves pro-life, one percentage point away from the record high.

The percentage of Americans identifying themselves as pro-life has trended higher since 1995, when the partial-birth abortion debate began in earnest and ultrasound technology made it so pictures of unborn children were the first baby pictures most parents saw. Gallup has found the pro-life position significantly ahead on two occasions, once in May 2009 and again today and the number of pro-abortion Americans has steadily dropped.

Gallup says the decline in Americans self-identification as pro-choice is seen across the three U.S. political groups with Republicans increasingly becoming pro-life.

Since 2001, the majority of Republicans have consistently taken the pro-life position, but by a gradually increasing margin over pro-choice. That gap expanded further this year, with the percentage of Republicans identifying as pro-life increasing to 72% from 68% last May, and those identifying as pro-choice dropping to 22% from 28%, Gallup noted.

Don’t Miss: What Are The Chances Of The Republicans Winning The House

Mellman: The Rise Of The Pro

Cold War babies like me were taught to abhor communism as children.

My earliest memory of such instruction came from a teacher who raged against what she claimed was communisms demand that people inform on family, friends and neighbors, turning them over to the secret police for actions or views critical of the regime.;;

I shudder to think what those now deceased teachers would say about Republicans in Texas, and elsewhere, encouraging citizens to intervene in their neighbors most intimate decisions by suing them for giving a friend a ride to an abortion clinic or being a woman who received one.

Joe BidenSocial media making political polarization worse: reportBiden and UKs Johnson to meet for talks this month: reportToyota, Honda knock union-made EV incentive in Dems spending packageMORE called it vigilantism. In my youth, it wouldve seemed a form of creeping totalitarianism.;

This disastrous policy, designed to outlaw abortion while enabling recent Republican Supreme Court justices to parry well-founded accusations of perjury in their confirmation hearings, is a dagger pointed at the political heart of the GOP.

Though it was never counted as one of the most important problems facing the country , abortion played a lead role as culture developed into our central line of political cleavage.;

In recent years, two facts emerged clearly: First, the vast majority of Americans are what the political class would call pro-choice .

Public opinion is clear.;;

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Know first.

The opinions that matter. Delivered to your inbox every morning

Reprinted with permission from DC Report

The overwhelming failure in the recall of California Gov. Gavin Newsom should send a powerful message to those Republicans who think their future lies with Donald Trump and Trumpism. It doesn’t.

That’s better than the record margin by which Newsom won in 2018. He won that race with just under 62 percent of the vote. It also equals the share of California votes for Biden against Trump in 2020.

The recall vote is a clear repudiation of the Trumpian tactic of trying to disrupt and delegitimize government when anyone but a Trumper wins the popular vote. Havoc will continue, but it can be defeated always if enough sensible Americans cast ballots.

Trumpism isn’t dead, not yet. But it’s not attracting new adherents, either. That’s because all it offers is anger, the lethal rejection of medical science and cultish devotion to a deeply disturbed con artist who just makes stuff up like his very recent delusional claim of being rescued on 9/11 by two firefighters.

Trumpism is not an ideology, just political masturbation.

And no one in America is more captured by self-love than Donald Trump.

In spring, it looked like Newsom could become the third governor in American history to be recalled because rank-and-file Democrats weren’t paying attention. Neither were the independents, whose numbers equal those of Republicans in California.

Also Check: Did Republicans Riot When Obama Won

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Is Yoga Suitable For Older People

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Is Yoga Suitable For Older People

While Age Does Affect You In Various Ways Theres A Lot You Can Do To Limit Its Impact On Your Body Yoga Is An Excellent Anti

July 31, 2017

Along with the smile lines and gray hair, aging brings changes that are harder to see but very easy to feel, especially during movement. As you age, you’ll encounter general physiological changes in elasticity, stability, speed, strength, and endurance, as well as a different perspective on physical goals. Specific health problems emerge as we age, and these age-related illnesses might affect your yoga practice. Here, we offer our thoughts on how to modify your practice for these common ailments, and we detail the ways that yoga can actually relieve symptoms or has been proven to improve medical outcomes. From heart issues to less lung capacity, decreased bone density to hormonal changes, and to artificial knees, physical changes will affect and dictate the needs of a yoga asana practice, but in all cases, doing yoga will make you feel better.

% Of Yoga Students Practiced Online Yoga Before The Global Pandemic This Number Increased By 91% Amidst The Pandemic

Yoga statistics worldwide show that the global pandemic made things much harder for yoga students and teachers who were forced to switch to online classes. Naturally, the numbers are even higher amongst yoga teachers. According to one study, only 9% of teachers held online yoga classes before the lockdown. This number grew by 86% due to the closing of the studios.

From Chair Yoga To Hatha To Vinyasa Heres Your Guide To Eight Popular Yoga Types Every Older Adult Should Know

There are countless reasons to add yoga to your routine. Research shows a regular practice not only improves balance and mobility in older adults, but it may also help ease back pain, relieve depression, and even reduce blood pressure for people with hypertension.

“Yoga can help keep the body agile,” says Terry Cockburn, a yoga instructor and owner of Freeport Yoga Company in Freeport, Maine. “It can also help you maintain proprioception, or the awareness of where your body is in relation to everything else,” she says.

That translates to a reduced risk of falls—which is especially compelling, considering falls are the leading cause of injuries in adults older than 65.

So, if you’ve considered trying yoga, now is the time to do it! You don’t have to be flexible or experienced to get started. To help you find the best class for your fitness level and personality, we break down eight of the most popular yoga types.

% Of Yoga Practitioners Begin To Practice Hoping That Yoga Helps Them Release Tension Yoga Statistics Indicate

It is widely known that there’s a connection between yoga and health, and the statistics are very clear about it. More than half of US citizens state that it has a relaxing effect on their nervous system and musculature.

They also reported they were motivated to take up yoga in order to feel happier overall .

There Are 5505 Million Yoga Practitioners In The Us And 38% Of Them Are Over 50 Years Old

You’re never too old to start taking yoga classes. While the highest prevalence among yoga practitioners is among people aged 30-39, yoga statistics and demographics prove that there are no age limits and that anyone can practice yoga no matter their age.

Complex poses are usually what scares people off, thinking that you have to be a young, trained athlete to do yoga. In fact, everyone can benefit from this ancient practice; there are so many types of it that virtually anyone can find regimes that suit their age, shape, and preferences.

There Are Conflicting Beliefs On The Very Practice Of Using Cannabis Along With Yoga

While some claim that yogis should avoid consuming cannabis when practicing—supposedly it has a distracting effect, leading to the complete loss of focus. On the other hand, cannabis is very much present in yoga history. As a matter of fact, the Hindu Lord of Yoga, Lord Shiva, goes under the name as the Lord of Ganja, as that was the deity that gave humanity the gift of cannabis.

Yoga For Seniors Can Help With Balance Agility And Strength But Injuries Do Happen

The elegant, silver-haired woman poked her head tentatively into my classroom as students were setting up their mats and chairs for a “gentle yoga” class. “Is it okay if I just watch?” she asked, then told me she had tried a yoga class to ease pain in her neck and back, only to find that actually made her problem worse.

It’s a complaint I’ve heard many times, particularly from older adults: that the supposedly healing practice of yoga caused pain. As a teacher specializing in therapeutic yoga for seniors and people with health challenges, I often work with those who have had a negative experience in a yoga class, frequently because it was an inappropriate style or level for the participant or was taught by an inexperienced or poorly trained instructor.

“Teaching yoga at a senior center is an entry-level job in many communities, which means they’re putting the least-trained people with the hardest crowd,” says Gale A. Greendale, a professor of medicine and gerontology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. “There’s often a cacophony of preexisting conditions in this age group, and a yoga teacher has to be very skilled to not get older adults into trouble.”

Like any physical activity, yoga has risks, Greendale says, but “I believe yoga’s benefits outweigh its risks as long as people start at the right level, don’t progress too fast and make appropriate modifications.”

One Of The Greatest Understanding Is That The Chair Is Not A Prop But The Floor

Weiss Hospital Senior Center Class – 2016 – Sat Sevak Kaur Level 1 Teacher leads her Seniors through a beautiful series of movements, chanting and meditation.

Kundalini Yoga for Elders is for those who want to get their bodies back and for those that want to keep the healthy body they already have. It covers chair yoga, and yoga for Arthritis.

Do Yoga Asanas Increase The Efficiency Of The Immune System For The Elderly

Here, again, the Yoga Sutras provide us with insight. Sutra 2.16 states “dukham anaagatam,” which translates into “so that we can avoid the misery that has not yet come.” As we age, the efficiency of our bodies and the immune system’s defenses deteriorate, increasing the risk of sickness. Regular practice of yoga for seniors can lower stress hormones and inflammation, boost the immune system, and decrease the chance of sickness.

So whether you are 65 or 105, lay down your yoga mat, grab a chair, and get started with your yoga practice today!

While a regular yoga practice can result in improved health, know that it is not a substitute for medical treatment. It is important to learn and practice yoga under the supervision of a trained teacher. In the case of a medical condition, practice yoga after consulting a doctor. Do you need information on courses? Contact us at [email protected] to find a Sri Sri Yoga course at an Art of Living Center near you.

We would also like to invite you to attend a free breath and meditation online session to learn about SKY Breath Meditation, the perfect accompaniment to any yoga practice.

More Than 34000 People Reported Injuries Caused By Yoga Practice In 2019

While yoga is a good exercise that can help people deal with stress and anxiety, in addition to becoming stronger and more flexible, an incorrect practice might lead to numerous injuries, especially if there are pre-existing musculoskeletal ailments. Therefore, it’s important to take proper precautions to avoid muscle damage.

Yoga injuries statistics show the most common problems include strains and overstretching of the neck, spine, legs, shoulders, and knees.

More Older People Are Doing Yoga But They Are Also Racking Up Injuries

Yoga may hold a key to aging well, suggests a growing body of research into its potential benefits for body and mind — benefits that include reducing heart rate and blood pressure, relieving anxiety and depression, and easing back pain. One recent study even raised the possibility of positive changes in biological markers of aging and stress in people who do yoga.

So it’s no surprise that the number of yoga practitioners in the United States has more than doubled to 36.7 million over the last decade, with health benefits the main reason people practice, according to the Yoga in America Study conducted last year on behalf of Yoga Journal and the Yoga Alliance.

While yoga enthusiasts are often pictured as young and bendy, the reality, according to the Yoga in America study, is that 17 percent are in their 50s and 21 percent are age 60 and older.

Along with this upsurge of interest has been an upsurge in injuries, particularly among older practitioners. “Participants aged 65 years and older have a greater rate of injury from practicing yoga when compared with other age groups,” researchers wrote last year in a study of nearly 30,000 yoga-related injuries seen in U.S. hospital emergency departments from 2001 to 2014. “While there are many health benefits to practicing yoga, participants and those wishing to become participants should confer with a physician prior to engaging in physical activity and practice only under the guidance of certified instructors.”

Yoga For Older Adults: 5 Health Benefits Of The Practice For Post50s

Beginning a yoga practice as an older adult can be intimidating, especially if you’re out of shape or working with health conditions. Although you don’t want to jump into a 90-minute hot yoga class with a group of younger practitioners, starting a gentle practice for beginners can be an excellent way to stay active and lower stress levels. Yoga can have a number of benefits for people over 50, from healthy bones to flexibility to anxiety relief. Ninety-four-year-old yogi Tao Porchon-Lynch swears by yoga as a way to maintain a positive attitude, relieve stress and age gracefully.

Yoga is not only safe for older practitioners, but also effective in keeping the mind and body in good health. If you’re thinking about starting a yoga practice, make sure to find a class and instructor who can meet your needs.

“People can either find an individual teacher to work with when they first start out, or find a studio that works with beginner classes, and see if they tailor to people over 50,” Eva Norlyk Smith, yoga teacher and Managing Editor at YogaUOnline, tells Huff/Post50.

“There’s a lot to learn, and most people over 50 run into issues like tight hamstrings, which affects alignment in so many different postures,” Norlyk Smith says. “If you go in and have a 20-year-old doing it perfectly next to you, you’re going to push yourself more than you should.”

1. You Get The Benefits Of Movement — Without The Strain.

2. Increased Flexibility.

3. Yoga Can Relieve Menopausal Discomfort.

Yoga For Seniors Boosts Your Brain Function And Cognitive Ability

Practicing yoga for seniors isn’t just good for the body but also for the brain in seniors. According to research made by a graduate student, Neha Gothe and her colleagues at the University of Illinois, it was discovered that doing yoga boosts brain function and cognitive ability. If you practice yoga 3 times per week for two months, it will improve your mental flexibility, improve memory, boost your brain function and cognitive ability.

Corepower Yoga Fought Coronavirus By Offering Free Online Classes

One of the biggest yoga studio chains, with more than 200 studios in the US, CorePower, offered free access to various yoga classes to members and nonmembers amidst the pandemic. Their idea was to publish one free class each week through their On-Demand portal. Besides the most popular classes , they also offered mediation classes and Livestream classes.

In comparison, based on the CorePower yoga rates, one in-person class costs $26; ten classes cost $218, while the Black Tag Membership is $149 per month.

A Gentle Yoga Practice Allows Seniors To Move Without Straining

Exercise is a critical part of healthy aging, but it presents certain risks to seniors. High-intensity exercises – such as running, cycling, and weight-lifting – can put a strain on the body and lead to injuries. A gentle yoga practice is an excellent low-impact exercise option. Yoga is not only safe for older practitioners, but effective in maintaining mental and physical health.

You should contact yoga studios and gyms in your area to determine whether they offer yoga classes for beginners and/or seniors. Arrive early before your first class so that you have an opportunity to speak with your instructor about what to expect during class. Let your instructor know about any injuries or health issues you have. Never overextend yourself on your mat, and move into postures only as far as you can. Ask your instructor for help if you need it. New practitioners should also remember that they can take a seated position or child’s pose if they need to rest.

How Does Yoga For Seniors Differ From Yoga For Younger People

Täo Porchon-Lynch is a shining example of the way in which the terms “old” and “young” refer to the state of the body, rather than numerical age. In fact, many older adults have greater flexibility than sedentary young people. In general, though, cardio-heavy flow practices and asanas that require abdominal strength can be more challenging for seniors, as can holding postures for long periods of time.

Yoga Videos For Seniors: Sequences For Your Exercise Program

Below, we’ll share a few yoga videos designed specifically for older adults. If you’re new to the practice of yoga, try working these sequences into your routine:

Gentle Chair Yoga for Beginners and Seniors This 15-minute chair yoga video is ideal for those with limited mobility or those recovering from an injury.

30-Minute Restorative Yoga and MeditationThis restorative yoga practice is a slow-paced class suitable for seniors, focusing on the mental and meditative benefits of yoga.

Full Length Gentle Yoga Class for Beginners and Seniors This 30-minute yoga flow is slow-paced, featuring a number of seated and standing poses. The instructor offers a number of modifications for beginners.

Gentle Yoga for Seniors 1 Hour Hatha Class This full, hour-long hatha class is taught by and designed for seniors. Since it’s a longer video, you may want to save this video until you’ve completed a shorter sequence.

Does Yoga Really Help With Anxiety Yes It Works Like A Charm

Research conducted on 52 women has shown that their symptoms of depression and anxiety decreased dramatically after 12 sessions of hatha yoga. In recent years, yoga has become a widely known method of relaxation. Some yoga instructors even arrange their classes towards combating specific issues, such as anxiety or panic disorder.

But how does yoga actually help us calm down? Yoga postures , consisting of stretching, lengthening, and muscle balancing, work towards relieving the physical discomforts induced by anxiety. The research recommends it as complementary medicine.

Chair Yoga For Seniors: The Best Yoga Exercise For Seniors

What is Chair Yoga?

Chair yoga is a term used for practices that modify poses so they can be done while seated in a chair. These modifications make yoga accessible to people who find it difficult to stand, aren’t able to move easily from standing to seated to lying down positions That’s why chair yoga is a great way for older adults to get the wonderful health benefits of yoga, loosening and stretching painful muscles, reducing stress and improving circulation. By remaining seated you can safely do the exercises.

Myofascial Tightening Stiffness Due To Decreased Collagen

As we age, we lose flexibility in our muscles and connective tissue, which results in stiffness, imbalance, and less confidence while balancing.How yoga can help: If you don’t use it, you lose it! A regular yoga practice can help reverse some of that acquired stiffness. Gentle, regular stretching can help keep your body fluid and flexible. We’re often as amazed as our yoga students when we see the changes that habitual stretching and movement can confer. You don’t have to touch your toes, but yoga might get you a little closer to them.

% Of American Yogis Practice Acro Yoga And Wellness Yoga

A practice based on yoga, Thai massage, and acrobatics, aka , is the most popular yoga style among Americans .

17% of American yoga enthusiasts practice power yoga/yoga-pilates/yogalates, while 14% choose Anusara Yoga. Although yoga popularity among Americans is hugethe least popular practice is Jivamukti yoga, with only 2% practitioners.

Can I Use A Book Or Yoga Dvd Instead Of Going To A Class

It’s better to start with a class to learn the poses and breathing techniques correctly. With a DVD, there will be nobody to correct your mistakes, which may lead to injury over time.

With some experience of being in a class, a DVD can then be helpful for keeping up practice.

Page last reviewed: 11 June 2018 Next review due: 11 June 2021

Yoga Improves Bone Health Flexibility And Joint Health

Gentle yoga is safe for those with osteoporosis, and can be effective in preventing and slowing bone density. According to NCBI, seniors who practiced yoga regularly showed no bone loss during bone scans, and some even gained bone. Those who didn’t practice yoga were shown to lose bone.

Yoga is a flexibility exercise that is great for those who experience joint pain or osteoarthritis, a common problem in older women. A weekly yoga program was found to be safe and helpful for women with knee osteoarthritis, showing numerous therapeutic benefits.

Yoga For Seniors Helps You Lose All The Extra Weight

Yoga is the last activity that comes in mind when you want to lose weight, however, it is ideal for seniors who want to lose a few pounds. According to experts, if you practice yoga regularly, it will speed up your metabolism. Slow metabolism is one of the common reason for gaining weight. It also helps you build muscle and increase your heart rate.

You Will Be Able To Tackle Menopausal Issues Better:

Stress, insomnia, weight gain, dry skin, irritability, osteoporosis ? these are just a few of the issues women face during menopause. You can now keep these irritating menopausal conditions at bay with yoga. Be it hot flashes or back pain, just do the Child’s Pose. You will immediately feel the difference.

Are There Any Simple And Easy Yoga Poses For Seniors

Sukshma Yogais a practice that uses small motions to open up the subtle energy channels in the body. Sukshma Yoga techniques are incredibly simple and easy and lead to deep relaxation. People of every age can practice and receive the benefits of these exercises, which can be practiced alone or within a larger sequence. The routine includes gentle exercises for the eyes, tongue, jaw, neck, hands, feet, knees, ankles, and hips. Check out Sukshma Yoga Exercises to Relax You in 7 Minutes.

What Are The Different Benefits Of Yoga For Seniors

Yoga helps keep the joints steady and flexible.

Helps maintain healthy bones and muscles.

Improves digestion and clears bowel movements.

Regulates blood pressure.

Perhaps, one of the best things about yoga for seniors is the chance to mingle and bond with others. This priceless addition keeps the mind engaged and happy, alleviating depression and loneliness. Enjoy your yoga at any age. Just keep some guidelines in mind.

Types Of Yoga: How To Choose The Right Kind For You

When you’re trying to determine which of the different types of yoga is best for you, remember that there is no right or wrong one— just one that might not be right for you at this moment.

“Like any form of exercise, choose something you want to do,” says Stephanie Saunders, executive director of fitness at Beachbody and a certified yoga instructor. “Bikram or Iyengar might appeal to you if you are a very detailed person. If you are more of a free spirit, vinyasa or aerial yoga might be fun. Find a class that makes you excited to go.”

So which one will get you excited? Our guide to the common types of yoga can help you decide whether you’re in more of a restorative yoga or a power yoga kind of mood, or anything in between.

How Does Yoga For Seniors Differ From General Yoga

The yoga asanas suggested for an elderly person may be the same as those for a younger individual. The difference lies in the effort and time spent in a posture, and the flexibility involved. However, if you have high endurance levels, you will be able to perform the cardiovascular movements and abdominal exercises to satisfaction.

Yoga For Seniors Improves Your Posture And Balance

Practicing yoga can also help you maintain your balance and will improve your posture. And all this results in fewer falls. Balance represents one of the first things all people start to lose when they get older. And balance is important for preventing falls because falls are the leading cause of death among seniors, according to an old report published in 2014 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in America. Doing yoga might improve your agility and mobility thanks to the precise and slow yoga movements.

More Exercise Means More Independence For Seniors:

Seniors that exercise regularly are less likely to depend on others. According to Harvard Medical School, regular exercise promotes an older adults ability to walk, bathe, cook, eat, dress, and use the restroom. If self-reliance is a priority, exercise is one of the best ways to maintain independence for older adults.

Best Exercises That Are Suitable For Senior Adults

Aging does not mean that you need to retire from your gym or workout sessions. But many older people tend to slow down and become more sedentary with age, which can be due to health problems, pain issues or worries about falling. A more sedentary lifestyle can also give rise to new health concerns.

That’s exactly why it’s important to stay fit and healthy, especially as you get older, and exercise plays an important role in this. Exercise is good for all, whether you are a child or a senior.

Regular exercise offers great benefits for seniors, including an extended lifespan, reduced risk of falls, better muscle health, improved bone density, better sleep, reduced risk of a stroke or heart attack, reduced risk of developing dementia, and increased confidence and independence.

So, with increasing age, you should give more importance to your exercise routine. But keep in mind, the aging body is not capable of bearing the burden of all types of exercise.

You need to choose the right exercise regimen to reap the benefits.

Here are some of the best exercises that are suitable for senior adults.

If you wish to stay healthy and mobile well into old age, start walking.

Walking is a perfect way to start exercising and most seniors can do it. This type of moderate-intensity exercise is highly beneficial.

Another good part about walking is that it requires no special equipment, aside from a pair of comfortable walking shoes. Also, it can be done anywhere.

Does Yoga Reduce The Risk Of Falls In Older People

https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m3246

Garry A Tew, associate professor of exercise and health sciences1,

Lesley Ward, research fellow1,

Catherine Hewitt, professor of trials and statistics2,

Anne Tiedemann, associate professor3

1Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Northumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK

2York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK

3Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, University of Sydney and Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia

Correspondence to: G Tew garry.tewatnorthumbria.ac.uk

Does Yoga Count Towards My 150 Minutes Of Activity

Most forms of yoga are not strenuous enough to count towards your 150 minutes of moderate activity, as set out by government guidelines.

However, yoga does count as a strengthening exercise, and at least 2 sessions a week will help you meet the guidelines on muscle-strengthening activities.

Activities such as yoga and are also recommended for older adults at risk of falls, to help improve balance and co-ordination.

Try our yoga workout videos in our Fitness Studio.

A More Passive Exercise Approach For Older Adults

There are some days when we cannot keep up with a regular yoga routine. Yet, it is recommended for older adults to engage in regular exercise activities to maintain healthy circulation.

LegXercise is a more passive yet equally effective exercise alternative designed for days when we simply do not have the energy or the strength to engage in other active exercises.

LegXercise is a passive exercise technology that moves the feet back and forth to mimic the natural muscle activity of walking, all in the comfort of your home while sitting down and enjoying your choice of book or TV series.

Find An Instructor Or Class That Is Right For You

Whether online or in-person, it’s important to choose a yoga class that matches your skillset. There are many online resources available to help you kick-start your yoga journey — from live classes with Silver Sneakers, modified chair yoga , and filled with instructors who have experience teaching yoga to seniors. Whichever you choose, remember that it’s always okay to start slow.

Chair & Standing Routines: Ageless Yoga Volume 1

Led by Harvard University Center for Wellness instructor John Schlorholtz, this is a great chair yoga DVD for older adults who have difficulty getting down on the floor. It features a variety of routines that offer you a choice of either sitting in a chair or using a chair for stability while standing.

Know To Modify Or Direct The Poses And Sequences

“In a mixed level class of students over age 50 with many physical problems, especially in ongoing group classes where it is not uncommon to have new students drop in, I recommend starting with simple lying down poses that are generally safe for everyone, yet challenging for more experienced students, such as leg stretches, hip openers and twists. Be sure students with a rounded upper back have adequate support under the head, so their head is level,” says Francina.

Reasons To Practice Yoga In Your 70s And Beyond

1. Improve balance

Yoga tones muscles and works on your proprioception — your sense of position in space. Practicing postures that emphasize standing and balance can help build strength and confidence, too. “About 80 percent of proprioception is in your ankles, so standing poses are important, particularly for people in their 70s,” explains Payne “As you get more sedentary, your sense of balance atrophies. ‘Use it or lose it’ really does apply.”

You can save on eye exams, prescription drugs, hearing aids and more

2. Sharpens your mind

Unfortunately, as we age, our thought processes aren’t as sharp as they once were. The upshot: A 2016 International Review of Psychiatry study reported that practicing yoga relaxation techniques for 30 minutes had immediate beneficial effects on brain function and performance among people with multiple sclerosis. “Focusing on the breath and synchronizing it with movement helps keep the mind clear and engaged,” Atkins says. Breathing exercises such as alternate-nostril breathing help harmonize the left and right hemispheres of the brain, which correlate to the logical and emotional sides of the personality.

3. Boosts mood

Yoga’s combination of breathing, meditation and movement creates an overall sense of well-being. In fact, studies show yoga has a greater impact on enhancing mood and reducing anxiety than other forms of exercise. The reason? Yoga boosts levels of the brain chemical GABA, which helps calm nerves.

The Ultimate Hobby Guide: 50 Hobbies For Seniors

The Ultimate Hobby Guide: 50 Hobbies for Seniors

During retirement, active adults can pursue their favorite pastimes, explore new activities, and find creative ways to stay physically and socially active. There are plenty of hobbies for seniors that allow you to learn new skills, expand your knowledge, and fully enjoy your leisure time.

Regardless of experience level, every hobby offers a place for beginners to start. Many hobbies for seniors are inviting because they require little-to-know previous knowledge. Instead, it’s all about finding a place to start and discovering a new favorite pastime.

Our ultimate guide to hobbies for seniors features 50 recreational activities for anyone to enjoy any time. We organized these hobbies into ten sections: indoor hobbies, outdoor hobbies, healthy hobbies, hobbies on the water, athletic hobbies, hobbies for singles, hobbies to do together, hobbies for men, hobbies for women, and online hobbies.

As you browse our ultimate guide to hobbies, we hope you feel inspired to try something new.

The Health Benefits Of Exercise In Older Adults

Our biology changes as we get older, causing seniors to have different reasons for staying in shape than younger generations. Though physical fitness provides benefits at any age, the health perks physically fit seniors enjoy are more notable. Physicians and researchers say seniors should remain as active as possible, without overexerting one’s self. In older adults, exercise helps you live a longer, healthier, and more joyous life.

Some of the benefits of exercising later in life include:

Yoga Poses And Exercises For Senior And Old Age

The word ‘Old Age’ gives both positive and negative notions. There are societies where seniors and elderly people are given due respect and they are the guardians. Earlier, they were given admiration not only by the family members but also by the entire neighborhood. But, now the seniors are not taken with the same spirit, especially in the urban culture where the scenarios of elderly people are quite pitiable. In today’s society, they are ignored and disgraced by their own family members. Overlooked and embarrassed are not only the conditions, but They also faced multiple problems or geriatric problems like dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, hypertension, heart, blood sugar, asthma, kidney problems, digestive, cataract, bed sore, pressure sore fractures, osteoporosis, neurological problems, wrinkles, low immunity, tumors, cancer, etc. Problems like myocardial infarction, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disorders, ischemia, reperfusion, and many cancer diseases are also common. Diseases accelerates the aging process.

Yoga with in-depth potential has the power to facilitate its benefits to the age of seven years to 70 years.

Symptoms of aging

Urinary tract infection, polyurea, nocturia, dysuria, etc.

In female’s menopause, irregular or absent menstruation, uterine cancers, etc. are common.

The Uk Accounts For Over 10000 Yoga Instructors

Taking everything that was mentioned thus far into account, it comes as no great surprise that yoga statistics for the UK are “operating” in the black.

In total, yoga teachers hold up to 30,000 yoga classes each week; moreover, it has been estimated that there are over 16,400 people employed in the industry in more than 4,900 businesses.

An Introduction To Gentle Yoga For Older Adults Margaret ManningHealth and Fitness

When I ask the members of the Sixty and Me community what is holding them back from building their dream life after 60, poor health and excess stress are the two most common answers.

It sometimes feels like, by the time we reach our 60s, we have a lifetime of tension locked in our bodies. On the inside, we feel young and vibrant. On the outside, we feel more than a little stiff, tired and out of shape.

The problem is that, when we feel disconnected from our bodies, everything else in our lives suffers. We are more irritable around our friends and family, causing unnecessary tension. We are less likely to get out into the world and pursue our passions. We are limited in our travel options. Simply put, when our bodies are suffering, we suffer.

Strike A Pose: The Benefits Of Yoga For Seniors

Have you ever considered trying yoga? September is Yoga Month, so it might just be the perfect time to give it a go!

What is yoga?

Originating in India around 6 B.C., yoga is a mind, body, and spiritual practice that blends physical poses and breathing exercises to achieve peacefulness of body and mind, helping participants relax and manage stress and anxiety.

Also called postures, yoga poses are movements intended to increase flexibility and strength. From lying flat on the floor while completely relaxed to complex moves that require intense balance and practice, yoga poses can range from simple to challenging.

Because breath signifies your vital energy, controlled breathing is a key component of yoga. Yoga practitioners believe that controlling your breathing pattern can help you control your body and calm your mind.

There are many styles, forms, and intensities of yoga. A good choice for stress management, hatha yoga is one of the most common styles; its slower pace and easier movements also make it a good choice for beginners and for seniors.

Safe for older adults?

Older adults should be sure to talk to their healthcare provider before beginning yoga if they have any of the following:

A herniated disk

A risk of blood clots

Eye conditions, including glaucoma

There are several proven benefits for people who practice yoga regularly:

Stress reduction

Improved physical fitness

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Exercise Helps Prevent And Counteract Disease:

Heart disease, osteoporosis, depression and diabetes are common diseases among older adults, and are often deadly. Fortunately, adopting a more active lifestyle can contribute to the prevention of these diseases, or reduce the unpleasant symptoms of these diseases if you already have them. If you are at-risk for disease, exercise may be the key to warding off an unpleasant condition.

Treat Students Individually Regardless Of Age

Don’t judge a student by their age, but by their abilities and limitations at any age. “At the beginning of class, ask students if there’s anything specifically wrong that you should know about,” suggests Rosen. This includes chronic conditions such as hypertension and osteoporosis. Of course, you can’t assume everyone has a bad back or arthritic knees because of a few gray hairs, but you job is to figure out which students do need extra help.

As a teacher, you know that anyone can benefit from yoga at any age. “In 40 years of teaching I’ve learned that students of all ages, including octogenarian beginners, can benefit from the safe-practice of all categories of poses,” says Francina. The best thing is to approach them with “great kindness, patience, and props.”

Yoga Keeps The Mind Sharp And Reduces Anxiety

Yoga allows you to slow down your breathing and meditate, creating a quiet time for calm reflection. Giving your mind a break from the frantic pace of everyday life can relieve stress and keep you centered and organized. Many people who practice yoga regularly report improvement in their mood and sleep patterns.

To learn more about which yoga poses can help with a variety of health conditions facing seniors, .

Yoga For Seniors: Everything You Need To Know

More and more people in their later years are discovering the mental, physical, and emotional benefits of yoga for seniors.

Maybe you know someone who has started doing yoga, and you have become interested in starting yoga yourself. Maybe you are living with pain or ailments, and you are interested in if and how yoga can help you. In this article, you can read all about the benefits of yoga, how to start a yoga practice, which classes might be for you and you’ll get recommendations on resources to help you get started.

A lot of people feel intimidated by the postures shown when you google yoga and think that yoga is only for the already fit and flexible. Nothing could be further from the truth! All you have to do is make sure you are choosing yoga poses that suit you. If you are uncertain in any way about your physical abilities to start yoga, first speak with your doctor or healthcare professional. They will be able to guide you and also make sure that you are aware of any specific movements or breathing techniques that you should not be doing.

Yoga is an easy practice to get into and there are classes and routines for all body types, fitness, and experience levels. You are never too old to start yoga!

Do Yoga Asanas Boost Immunity In The Elderly

Here again, the Patanjali Yoga Sutras provide a clue. “Heyam Dukham Anaagatam.” It means, ‘Avoid the misery that has not yet come.’ As we grow older, the efficiency of the immune system deteriorates, paving the way for various diseases. Regular practice of yoga techniques such as asanas, pranayama and meditationcan help avoid these conditions. So make your life happier and more fulfilling with yoga.

Beginning Yoga Exercises + Poses For Seniors

Some of the best poses for beginners and seniors are detailed below. Remember to only go as far as you can with each of the postures. Every pose can be modified to meet your needs, but it’s good to consider getting professional instruction rather than going it alone.

Remember to discuss with your physician for approval before beginning your new yoga regimen.

Here Are A Few Other Things To Keep In Mind:

Get the head below the level of the heart Inverted postures are a must for aging bodies. For example, recommend that students practice Supported Leg Up the Wall Pose at least 10 minutes a day.

Practice in a way that is appropriate and healing Never force and avoid poses that bear weight directly on the neck and head. People with kyphosis and others at risk for osteoporosis , only under the guidance of an experienced instructor and after they build strength in upper-body strengthening poses, such as Downward and Upward Facing Dog, and .

Build in modifications for challenging asanas. When teaching more difficult poses, make it crystal clear that students can repeat the basic pose that usually precedes the more challenging one, and that using props is perfectly fine.

Focus on lengthening the spine. Lengthen the spine and open the chest in all categories of poses, including forward bends, twists and backbends.

Learn to move from your hip hinge . Keep your upper body in one unit and the spine elongated. If the hamstrings are tight, it’s difficult to bend sideways or forward without rounding and shortening the spine. Using a wall or chair can help someone bend from the hip joint while keeping length in the spine.

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Another One In The Series Of Interesting Cbd

Combining cannabis and yoga makes for an enjoyable practice. Achieving a meditative state might seem like a simple task, but some people find it hard to just sit still and “do nothing”.

If you have trouble turning off your stream of thought, CBD oil can assist you by slowing down your thought processes, replacing them with some calmer vibes. Still, it’s not a magic wand or potion. Also, the intake of CBD can be different, as well as the effects. People react to CBD in various ways.

Yoga Is For Everyone Especially Older Adults

One of the biggest misconceptions about yoga is that it is designed primarily for younger people, who want to increase their flexibility. In reality, no group can benefit more from yoga than older adults.

In the introduction video, Cat talks about one of her students that came to her class with a challenging medical condition. This person was unable to twist or raise her hands above her shoulders, but, after just a few months of practice, she was able to work her way up to a handstand.

Of course, yoga is not a replacement for traditional medicine and you should always talk with your doctor before starting any new exercise program, but, the results that people see are often powerful and surprising.

Gentle yoga is perfect for older adults. It’s easy to get into. It’s a self-paced activity that we can do from the comfort of our own homes. Perhaps most importantly, it addresses many of the specific challenges that we face as we age including sore joints, stress, muscle tension, flexibility and balance.

Reasons Why Older People Should Take Up Yoga

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Yoga is a great way for the elderly to safely improve their physical and mental condition. Starting yoga later in life may seem like a big task, but it is not at all. You can take yoga classes at any age and at any level, even in a chair. But it is important that you find a yoga class that suits your level and needs. The many advantages of yoga for the elderly outweigh any excuse not to do it! That’s why we have listed five advantages of yoga for the elderly.

1. Yoga improves your balance and stability

An ugly fall later in life can have major consequences. For example, many elderly people break their hips. That is why it is important for the elderly to maintain good balance. Many yoga postures focus on this and at the same time strengthen the muscles that contribute to better stability. Yoga not only helps the elderly to prevent falls in the first place, it also helps them to get up and recover from a potential fall if one does occur.

2. Yoga makes you more flexible

The body’s flexibility decreases with age. This can lead to physical limitations, complaints, and accidents. Stretching, and particularly stretching during yoga, makes you more flexible and increases your range of motion. This leads to you being firmer in your shoes and feeling more confident in everyday life.

3. Yoga generates stronger bones and muscles

4. Yoga keeps your brain sharp

5. Yoga makes you happier

Yoga For Seniors Promotes Your Overall Well

Yoga practice is a wonderful form of exercise at any age. Research shows yoga benefits your mental and physical health, helping to strengthen muscles, improve balance, lessen anxiety, improve depression, and decrease your risk of falls.

When beginning a yoga practice, find an in-person beginner’s class or follow along with online videos. Be sure to find a type of yoga that works best for you, looking for classes titled restorative, hatha, beginner, or chair yoga.

When starting any fitness routine, be sure to speak to your physical therapist or healthcare provider. In addition, be sure to schedule your daily Snug check-in so you’re not just healthy, but safe. If your family member or friend opted to receive your daily check-in, they know you safely completed your workout — and perhaps your newly-formed fitness routine will encourage them to start their own.

Exercise Improves Balance For Older Adults:

Falling down is a much bigger deal for older adults than younger ones. Every 11 seconds, an older adult is admitted to an emergency room for a fall-related injury, and every 19 minutes, a senior dies from a fall, according to the National Council of Aging. Though no two falls are alike, and preventing falls is very complex, regular exercise reduces the likelihood of falling by 23%.

Chair Yoga For Seniors: A 30 Minute Routine

You might want to do this chair yoga routine along with your older adult so they can watch your movements.

It’s a fun activity to do together and you’ll get the health benefits too!

The only equipment that’s needed is a sturdy chair that allows your older adult’s feet to touch the floor.

An optional accessory is a belt, , or long hand towel to aid in stretching.

In case you want to skip around, we’ve noted the time markers for each section of the routine.

Warm up poses for heat and circulation This is a great way to warm up the body, improve flexibility, and reduce pain.

This section lasts 10 minutes and could be a nice short routine in itself.

Standing poses for balance and strength These yoga poses are done while holding on to the back of the chair.

If your older adult isn’t strong or balanced enough to do this section safely, it might be safer to skip it.

Lower body poses for flexibility In this section, a belt or strap helps with stretching – any long belt, , small towel, or sturdy rope will do.

Even if your older adult doesn’t use a belt, they can still benefit from the movements.

Shavasana is a restful pose usually done at the end of a yoga class. Just relax and focus on breathing slowly and deeply.

Instructor Sherry wraps up the class.

Proven Qigong Benefits + Beginner Exercises

June 10, 2016

Qigong History & Interesting Facts

Qigong is considered a collective term for a long-established, extensive set of exercises first created in China more than 2,000 years ago. As many Eastern medicinal practices continue to gain popularity in the West — including acupuncture, meditation, and yoga — qigong and are also going mainstream.

Eastern practitioners have known about the benefits of qigong for centuries, and today Western scientific research is following-suit, confirming that qigong can help prevent and manage many different health problems. The ancient practice is especially beneficial for older adults and people who are chronically stressed out.

In 2010, a meta-analysis published in the American Journal of Health Promotion found that after reviewing 77 articles on qigong, the research demonstrated consistent, significant benefits associated with the practice. Key benefits include: better bone density, cardiopulmonary effects, physical functioning, reduced falls and related risk factors, improved quality of life, lower psychological symptoms and better immune function.

The Best Types Of Yoga For Senior Citizens

Whether you’re aiming to get stronger and more flexible or you just want to decompress and still your mind, yoga can help. But with the dozens of different styles that exist, it can be tough to figure out which type is most appropriate for you. Remember that a key consideration is your physical condition and fitness level. Always consult your healthcare provider before beginning any new exercise regimen.

Here are eight types of yoga that may offer what you need:

Yoga Improves Flexibility And Joint Health

If you’re looking for a gentle exercise that increases flexibility, yoga is a great option. Flexibility exercises such as yoga are great if your joints tend to be achy or stiff. In a study that looked at the effectiveness of yoga as an exercise to manage osteoarthritis in elderly women, researchers found that it provided therapeutic benefits.

Not only can these low-impact moves loosen your muscles, they can also tone your supporting muscles and help prevent injury.

Your Bones Will Have An Extended Lifespan:

Brittle bones leading to osteoporosis and fractures are quite common in women who are 60-plus. Yoga can help in slowing down the pace at which you are experiencing loss of bone density. The pains and inflammations experienced will also be smoothed out. Studies suggest that women above 60 who practiced yoga for at least 2 years actually gained bone mineral density.

Prevention Against Alzheimer And Parkinson

Here comes a detail I do use in the warm ups of my “chair-groups” with the focus on prevention against Alzheimer and Parkinson:

I let them do horizontal eights with the lumbar region in the vein of sufi circles, bringing the spine far to left and right.

I let them close their eyes and imaging the center of this movement as a wandering star circling perfect eights. I let them circle these eights as symmetric as possible with full concentration.

To end this movement, I give them one minute to let the eights become smaller and smaller, still inhaling front, exhaling back.

I let the eights become so small, that the movement is no more visible, still keeping the rhythm of the breath.

This is a very good way to enhance body coordination and balance. It centers in a verymeditative way. Try!

Herz-Licht willem

Please also see on this site how Kirtan Kriya helps prevent Alzheimers and is simple tapping on the fingers, : Alzheimers and Kundalini Yoga

What To Know Before Your Yoga First Class

Using a chair for balance during your practice is a safe way to build strength & modify poses .

Going to your first yoga class can be daunting, but once you get there, you’ll probably find it’s a friendly and welcoming space! However, this brief overview of what you can expect may help put your mind at ease:

Yoga For Seniors: The Only Guide You Need

Yoga is an easy and safe way to improve both your mental well-being and overall health, especially for people over 60. Yoga for seniors can improve their balance and flexibility.

However, that is not all. The benefits of doing yoga when you’re over 60 are countless. Read on to learn everything about yoga for seniors and all the benefits that come along.

Yoga For Seniors Can Help You Reduce Pain

Chronic pain is a common issue among seniors, especially the pain that’s associated with joint problems and arthritis. However, thanks to yoga, you can say goodbye to the pain. It’s a natural remedy for chronic pain. According to a study made by Sonia Gaur of the psychology department at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, it was proven that people who practiced yoga for 90 minutes, 3 times per week for 4 weeks, experienced a decrease in aches and pain. Also, most of the patients reduced their intake of pain medications.

Regular Exercise Improves Brain Function:

One of the most remarkable developments in health science is the revelation that the mind and the body are much more closely linked. A healthy body likely means a healthy mind, and seniors that exercise on a regular basis have improved cognitive health, according to research from NCBI. More recently, a study from the Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation, regular exercise has been shown to reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or dementia by nearly 50%.

Why Yoga For Older Adults Is So Important

Since good health is central to finding happiness after 60, I set out to find a solution to the problems of stress, tension and pain that many of you told me that you were dealing with.

After talking with experts in various fields, I settled on gentle yoga as the best place to start and set out to find an amazing teacher. Eventually, I had to send my team all the way to beautiful Bali to work with the amazing, Cat Kabira.

Cat is an amazing woman, filled with warmth, generosity and passion. She has also been teaching yoga for 14 years and has worked with thousands of people over the age of 60. We absolutely fell in love with her!

Before we filmed the actual yoga sequences, we sat down with Cat to film a short introduction to gentle yoga video that you can watch on this page. Our goal was to demystify some of the aspects of yoga and talk about its transformational potential. Even if you decide never to purchase a yoga video or attend a class, I hope that you will take the time to watch this introduction.

Here’s what I learned from Cat’s introduction to gentle yoga for older adults.

Yoga Doesnt Require Any Special Equipment

Another misconception about yoga is that it requires lots of expensive equipment to get started. It’s true that having a yoga mat can make your yoga journey more comfortable – especially if, like me, you have sore knees. But, the truth is that many of the yoga instructors I talked to said that they started without any equipment at all.

In the introduction to gentle yoga video at the end of this article, Cat explains some of the equipment that you might want to consider using. She also provides alternatives to some of the more popular items. For example, books can make an excellent substitution for a yoga block and pillows can replace a bolster.

The bottom line here is that money should never be a reason to avoid starting your yoga journey. Yes, yoga videos, mats, blocks and bolsters help. But, even if you just visit your local library and check out a book on yoga for free, that’s a great start too.

Yoga Can Be A Gateway To A Healthier Life

Perhaps the most important message that I took away from the introduction to gentle yoga for older adults video is that yoga is a gateway to a healthier life. Earlier, we talked about the negative spiral that we enter when our health prevents us from engaging in the world.

The opposite is also true.

As you begin your yoga journey, you will start to feel different in your body and your mind.

As you gain confidence and flexibility, you will be more likely to step out into the world and explore your passions. As you eliminate stress and tension from your body, your relationships with others will improve. As you learn to listen to your body, you will gain an appreciation and respect for the nutrients that it needs and will be more likely to make healthy eating choices.

If I have one wish for our gentle yoga video series, it’s this – I want as many people as possible to get on the path to a healthier life after 60. I want us to break the stereotypes about aging and show the world, and more importantly ourselves, that life after 60 can be filled with vitality, energy and passion.

Have you tried yoga before? What was your experience? What is the one thing that you would most like to get from your yoga practice? What is the one thing preventing you from getting started? Please add your thoughts in the comments below.

Your Guide To The Different Types Of Yoga

Yoga has come a long way in the past few years. Take a look at any studio’s schedule and you’ll see so many different types of yoga, from ashtanga yoga and kundalini yoga to aerial yoga and acro yoga. You might have even heard about — or tried — some of the more modern and unusual iterations of the ancient practice: hip-hop yoga, HIIT yoga, and naked yoga…just to name a few.

Yoga practice is thousands of years old. However, it only arrived in the US in the late 1800s and only firmly took root within the last few decades. Since then, yoga has gone from a practice associated with hippies, to one that’s practiced by nearly 37 million people.

And not all of these millions of people go to a yoga studio to do their downward dogs. If you like to unroll your mat at home you’re not alone: That’s the number one place people practice.

How To Start Practicing Yoga For Seniors

Yoga practice increased dramatically in popularity in recent years, with the number of yoga practitioners raising from 20.4 million to 36 million from 2012 to 2016 according to the Yoga Alliance. In addition, there are more older practitioners than ever before, with over 14 million practitioners over the age of 50.

These numbers tell you that yoga is for everyone — including older adults. With that said, you should always exercise caution when starting a new fitness program. Work directly with your doctor or physical therapist when devising an exercise plan, and work within your fitness level.

Here are a few yoga-for-beginners tips to help you get started:

Find a yoga teacher: Check your local library, YMCA or YWCA, or Silver Sneakers clubs for a list of yoga classes. You may be surprised to find free or discounted classes for seniors.

Follow along on YouTube: If you live in a rural area or somewhere that in-person classes are not available to you, follow along with yoga videos online. Below, we’ll share a few yoga videos for seniors.

Find the type of yoga that works best for you: Hatha yoga, restorative yoga, and yoga with chair exercises are usually more suitable for older adults because they’re slower paced. They involve holding poses for longer periods of time. Vinyasa, ashtanga, and power yoga are fast-paced yoga practices, with inversions and other advanced movements.

Yoga Promotes Good Bone And Joint Health

As you age, your bones naturally lose density and joints become stiffer. A gentle yoga practice can be effective in preventing and slowing bone density loss, and is safe for those with osteoporosis. Whether you are looking to prevent osteoporosis or relieve painful symptoms caused by an existing bone condition or fracture, yoga postures and stretches can be extremely beneficial. Regularly moving your joints can help reduce stiffness and joint tenderness.

Tell your yoga instructor about any bone conditions you have. He or she may be able to provide you with props such as blocks, straps, and inflatable balls that can help you avoid further injuries.

Cbd Helps Prolong The Duration Of The So

Scientific yoga facts prove that when we are feeling blissful, our brain produces the neurotransmitter called Anandamide . Since this blissful neurotransmitter is fragile and it stays in our body only temporarily, we are not always blissful.

Research has shown that CBD has the power to “defeat” the enzyme responsible for breaking down Anandamide, thus prolonging the state of bliss, which is produced when you’re practicing yoga as well.

The Best Yoga Studios For Seniors In Nyc

While you can certainly learn yoga from the comfort of your home, taking a yoga class under the guidance of a qualified teacher will allow you to perform the moves correctly and minimize the risk of injury. What’s more, yoga classes foster a sense of community and belonging—the word yoga itself means “connection�?—an important factor in maintaining positive mental health and well-being.

Here are some of the best yoga studios in New York City with classes for all ability levels, including excellent low-impact options for seniors, where you can stretch, relax, and connect with others.

has a range of classes to fit any level, from vinyasa and hatha to non-strenuous restorative yoga, ideal for older adults. The studio is located in a former industrial printing facility in the heart of Chelsea. The handcrafted window screens imported from India let in plenty of natural light, creating a calm and relaxing setting. Classes are taught by highly experienced and supportive instructors who will make sure that your yoga practice is easy and enjoyable.

Chelsea

Accessibility: The studio is on the 6th floor in a building with an elevator.

Amenities: Mat rental $4. Mat storage is included in class packages. There are changing stalls but no showers.

$18 per class, $190 for the unlimited monthly membership, senior discounts available.

Yelp 4.5 | ClassPass 4.7

Yes Studio

Queens

Accessibility: You need to climb one flight of stairs to access the studio.

Yelp 4.5 | ClassPass: 4.8

Harlem

What Kind Of Asanas Are Best For Seniors

If you are easily fatigued, it is best to substitute warm-ups for walking and gentle joint movements, such as wrist and ankle rotations.

Standing yoga postures such as Triangle Pose .

Yoga postures done while lying on the back or stomach, such as Cobra Pose can help to strengthen the back and increase flexibility in the spine.

Yoga Nidra, or , is by far the most essential part of any yoga practice, and with age, the pose becomes even more essential to help assimilate the effects of yoga practice into the body.

What Type Of Class Should I Look Out For

Classes can vary in duration but typically last between 45 and 90 minutes. A longer class will give you more time for learning breathing and relaxation techniques, and will give the teacher time to work with your individual ability.

It’s worth speaking to a teacher about their approach before you sign up for a class.

Yoga Can Keep The Mind Sharp And Focused

Exercising the mind is just as important as exercising the body, especially in seniors. The simple meditation that yoga practices helps individuals stay centered, energized and relieve stress. It’s even shown to improve moods. By focusing on your thoughts and feelings in addition to your body, you’ll achieve a more overall awareness of self through the practice. Yoga is also shown to help fight feelings of depression, which is very common among seniors.

As you’ve read, yoga can work physical and psychological wonders for the aging population. By incorporating a regular yoga routine, seniors can experience an improvement in their quality of life that can go a long way toward physical and mental health and overall wellness.

Regular yoga and other fitness classes are is available at many Acts communities! Read more about how the Acts Lifestyle can help you achieve a healthy and fulfilling retirement.

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