முதியவர்கள் புத்துணர்வு பெற யோகா

அமெரிக்காவில் ஏராளமான முதியவர்கள் புத்துணர்வு பெறுவதற்காக வாரம் இருமுறை யோகா வகுப்புகளுக்கு செல்கிறார்கள்.

புத்துணர்வு தரும் யோகாவை பயின்று வாழ்க்கையை சுவாரஸ்யமாகவும் மற்றவர்களுக்கு உதவவும் செய்யும் இம்முதியவர்களுக்கு வாழ்த்துக்கள்.

இந்துமதம் மற்றவர்களுக்கு உதவு தூண்டுகிறது. இது மற்றவர்களை கொல்லவோ, அவர்களது வாழ்க்கையை கெடுக்கவோ, மற்றவர்களது உரிமைகளில் தலையிடவோ தூண்டுவதில்லை.




Yoga keeps seniors refreshed
NEAL DENTON
Bulletin Sports Writer

Twice a week, Margaret Schmitt teaches a class that betters lives.

Every Tuesday and Thursday from 8-9:15 a.m., Schmitt leads a group of about 20 senior citizens at the Van Matre Senior Center in a type of yoga practice known as hatha yoga.

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"It relieves stress and improves overall well-being," Schmitt said. "The whole purpose of yoga is to promote mental health, physical health and put ourselves in harmony."

Almost all the seniors agree the program has bettered their bodies and minds in some way, whether they have been attending class for weeks or years.

"When I started, I was so shaky, and now I'm much more steady," said Charlotte Fredericks, 80, of Clarkridge, who has attended the class for three weeks.

Fran Brockmeyer, 77, of Mountain Home, has attended yoga classes for three years.

"When you get older, you need that flexibility," Brockmeyer said. "Plus, it gives you balance and coordination."

Barb Gullett, 71, attends the class to ease her mind.

"I'm having chemo(therapy)," Gullett said, "and it gives me strength to be with the ladies. It lifts you away from your body. It's indescribable. It's the best hour I have twice a week."

Cheryl McConkey, 61, has been doing yoga for over 20 years.

"I get peace," McConkey said, "and I get a sense of goodness. It gives me joint mobility. ... And there's a sense of camaraderie. This is a good thing we have in Mountain Home. ... You couldn't ask for something better."

McConkey says that yoga is something for both men and women.

"Every age can do this. Men and women. My husband came with me for four years, and he enjoyed it. I think of it as a life insurance policy. I don't want to fracture a hip, and by doing this, I want to ensure I don't hurt my hip."

Doris Haggerty, 65, who enjoys playing golf, agrees that yoga is for everyone.

"Men injure their hips too," Haggerty said. "I think more men should come or have their own class, because it really does help."

Besides yoga, there are other wellness classes at the Van Matre Senior Center, including Peer Exercise Program Promotes Independence (PEPPI), tai chi and strong women, strong bones.

The yoga class is given year-round and is free to all who attend.

ndenton@baxterbulletin.com