Muscle Loss
Have you ever noticed how people seem to get weaker as they get older? Many people think it’s just a normal part of aging, but muscle loss doesn’t happen just because of age. It happens because people stop moving in ways that keep their muscles active and strong.
Your body was designed to move in lots of different ways. You can twist, bend, reach, squat, and stretch. But most adults stop doing these movements. When you don’t use your muscles, they stop working properly. This isn’t just about lifting weights. It’s about moving your body every single day!
Doctors used to say that muscles get smaller and weaker because of something called “atrophy.” That just means the muscles shrink when they aren’t used. While that’s true, there’s more to it. Research shows that muscles don’t just shrink — they “forget” how to work. The nerve connections to your muscles get weaker. That’s why you might feel stiff, tired, or clumsy as you get older. The good news? You can wake those muscles up again!
Yoga: The Secret Weapon Against Muscle Loss. One of the best ways to keep your muscles strong is by practicing yoga. Yoga helps your body move in all directions:
- You stretch and lengthen muscles that get tight.
- You hold poses that increase your muscle enduance and stability.
- You balance, which builds strength in places you didn’t even know were weak.
- You twist and reach, keeping your spine and muscles flexible and strong.
Plus, yoga focuses on breathing, which helps your nervous system stay calm and your muscles stay relaxed. When your body feels good, you’re more likely to move more.
Worried you can’t do yoga because you’re not flexible? Try adaptive yoga! You can practice yoga sitting in a chair, lying on the floor, or even in bed and use props to help you with the poses. Yoga is for everybody — no matter your age or ability.
Stay Strong, Stay Moving! The most important thing to remember is muscle loss isn’t just part of getting older. It’s part of moving less. Move your body in different ways, every day! Yoga makes this easy. It helps you move smarter, feel stronger, and stay flexible.
Ready to start building muscles? Check out our On Demand Library!
To learn more about Mindy Eisenberg, Director of Yoga Moves MS and Bettyanne Hodges, Director of Marketing, or to learn more about our specialized classes for students with MS, Parkinson’s Disease, and related conditions go to Yoga Moves Any Body Website
To order Mindy’s book or adaptive yoga cards Adaptive Yoga Moves Any Body and Adaptive Yoga Cards. (Click the link to order).
