A small but neat study published in the journal Stroke involved 47 subjects who had
suffered a stroke, 1/3 of whom were given “usual” post-stroke care (physio but
no other rehab), the other 2/3 of whom were given yoga exercises to do in group
settings.
The most important finding was that the yoga groups had
much better improvement in balance than the usual care group.
In other words, yoga can help improve balance, and t hat’s
a very important consideration for aging baby boomers to take into count
because in the elderly (And all boomers are nearing elderly status if not
already there) falling is a major cause of both disability (chronic pain, head
injuries, stroke, permanent immobilization from hip fractures) as well as death
(20-25 % of people who break a hip will die as a direct consequence of that
fracture within the first 6 months, and their risk of dying stays elevated for
up to 10 years after their fracture).
So take heed, my fellow boomers: all our senses fade with
age and the sense of balance is alas! no exception but we can improve that
fading sense, and tai chi and yoga are easy and pleasant ways to do that.
