Cantissimo Senior Living Blog

Yoga helps those of all ages develop flexibility and strength. Starting yoga classes as a senior citizen can be intimidating, but that should not deter you from trying it out! To help you prepare for your first senior yoga class, we've compiled a few tips to help you feel ready and understand what to expect.

Tips to Prepare for Your First Yoga Class

Assess Your Physical State

Yoga is a great activity to start at any age. However, several movements might not be suitable for people with certain medical conditions. As always, you should consult with your doctor before starting a new exercise. It is worth noting that there many different types of yoga. After you have consulted with your doctor, speak to your yoga instructor if you have a conflicting medical condition, show your reports for him/her. You may be able to create a suitable plan/exercise.

Once you get the green light from the doctor, here are a few of the benefits you can look forward to upon starting your yoga routine!:

Have you ever considered that how you use your five senses can have an impact on your health?

Your five senses are taste, touch, sight, smell, and hearing. These five senses support your ability to experience your life and the world around you. These include feeling the wind on your face, smelling the flowers in your garden, and communicating through speech and learning through reading. The senses are constantly providing you with input so you can experience yourself and navigate the world around you. They also provide a mechanism for self-regulation to maintain a healthy and balanced life.

We all know that smartphones are powerful tools for productivity and connecting with family members, but did you ever think about how they could be useful for continued learning and education? The apps available on your phone are a great way to train your brain and learn about a range of topics on the go.

As we age, it is increasingly important to actively train our minds and keep stimulated. Science has proven that the brain can respond to modifications during a process called "neuroplasticity". The brain then adjusts when its neural connections are wired to enhance or maintain cognitive function. Studies say that brain training activities lessen the risk of dementia by almost 30%. These activities are effective in seniors with or without cognitive impairments. Mobile apps for seniors are among the simplest and best ways to learn different skills and improve abilities. Continue reading for our list of the top 5 apps to download to stay entertained and mentally sharp!

For many older adults, it can be very challenging to stay active and healthy. Health issues can lead to an inability to remain physically stable, which can, in turn, lead to a decline in activity and the ability to maintain a social life. It's essential to try different methods and activity styles to keep the mind sharp and prevent ailments.

Still, many older adults worry about starting a new routine or workout. They may be concerned about the probability of injury or any damage, especially when it comes to a particular exercise or training. Especially is your impression of yoga is those crazy poses you might have seen on television or the internet!

Despite those intimidating images, yoga is an excellent method for seniors to be active and social while taking care of their muscles, bones, and minds. It's appropriate for most ages and can help guide mindfulness, a beneficial tool in battling nervousness or stress. The key is to begin gradually and go at a steady pace to keep up your energy level and endurance. Read on to learn more about some of the benefits of practicing yoga!

The best way to maintain balance during these uncertain times is to learn how to control your mind. 

Your ego-mind keeps you safe and out of harm’s ways. It also allows you to express your individuality and to reach for your goals in life. It generally works in your favor, but there is a downside as well.

Carelessness can be a natural part of growing older. Insignificant memory dilemmas reflect healthy changes in the structure and purpose of the brain. Gradually, we may miss a monthly payment, forget which word to use, or lose our glasses. These can be symptoms of healthy aging, according to the National Institute on Aging. However, these changes can also make it harder to learn new things, interfere with memory, and cause frustration.

We all understand the significance of maintaining mental fitness. Preserving our cognitive abilities enables us to pay better attention, solve problems, and other benefits. But have you thought about how focusing on this aspect of our fitness is especially critical as we age? Brain workouts for seniors are a way for you (or a loved one) to keep the mind active and healthy.

So, precisely why, and how do you train your brain? Below are seven recommendations for seniors to perform mental exercises and promote healthy brain habits.

The benefits of writing for the mind are vast. You can ignore the importance of regularly jotting down diary or personal experiences, but it can be incredibly impactful. No one should stay glued to the phone or television screen without practicing some notes writing skills. Among other benefits, the act of writing makes it easier to remember content and improves the brain's stamina and ability to remain vigilant. In this blog, we will look at the various reasons why writing is recommended for older adults. 

Writing Benefits for the Elderly 

Members of the 55+ community are at the golden age where a lot of life plans are hopefully coming together. However, there is still a lot to think about and figure out. Regardless of age, putting it all on paper is essential to increase the holding capacity and organization of the mind. This must be practiced to form a habit of jotting down the necessary information. Here are a few reasons why it is so beneficial to make writing part of your daily routine:

It may be hard to believe, but some of the activities that you love may actually be causing you pain.

The Learning Process

To understand pain, it is essential to understand the learning process of the brain. When we learn a new thing, we naturally break the process down step by step. We start slowly and use the cortex of our brain to pay attention to the activity we are learning. Our brain learns by sensing and feeling and repetition. As we continue to refine and adapt, the movement graduates from being unfamiliar and unnatural to familiar and natural. This is the process of habituation. This is how we learn and develop all life skills.