Why Modifying Yoga for Older Clients May Improve your Teaching Career

The world's population is steadily getting older. In 2020, over a billion people were over 60, equating to one out of seven people. Estimates suggest that by 2045, that number will rise to one out of every five people.

As the population ages, decreased physical activity and mobility echo this "graying of America." Comprehensive research examines this a bit further. Physical activity is part exercise, a concentrated and purposeful action, and part activities of daily life. Many aging individuals do not participate in the suggested 150 minutes of physical activity per week.

Science tells us that movement and exercise contribute to improved heart health, mental stability, and help reduce the risk of strokes, diabetes, and other life-changing health challenges. (1)

As a Registered Yoga Teacher, you know that yoga is a beautiful way to address many aspects of aging - staving off diseases, supporting mindfulness, and increasing mobility to positively impact daily life.

Training to teach yoga to older clients

Teaching yoga to the aging population requires empathy and tact. Respect the frustrations and mental challenges that accompany aging and loss of mobility. Focus asana on function and feeling instead of finding a textbook alignment - especially in the spine, hips, and shoulders.

Yoga teachers with advanced teacher training will recognize that teaching all skill levels and body types involves motivational interviewing, active listening, and considerate observation to keep yoga safe. There is no change when teaching aging students. You may find that their focus moves to how asana can help mobility, freedom, and independence in daily life. There may be a need to dive deeper into meditation and pranayama to combat stresses and uncertainties about aging.

Teaching older clients challenges your guidance to notice and respond to physical asymmetry and changed anatomy. Aging hardens joints, compresses the spine, and may reduce endurance and muscular strength. Understanding the physical body's progression through time helps your teachings become safer and more appropriate for your audience.

Aging yogis often benefit from adaptations to fundamental yoga postures. Modifications may include props, shifting standing asana to the floor or wall, or using a chair. The chair can also help with standing poses and transitions between poses. Be mindful of using the floor to adapt asana, as moving up and down from the ground is often challenging.

Know the boundaries and benefits of different yoga postures for diseases and injuries. Those with poor heart health may need to keep their mind above their hearts. Students with arthritis and bone loss benefit from gentle stretching and weight-bearing activities. Mindful movement, meditation, and pranayama can address anxiety and depression.

Benefits to your yoga teaching career

Teaching to the graying population requires deeper understanding and knowledge of the human body, and these teaching skills provide you with versatility. These talents also form the basis for teaching alongside health care professionals, utilizing yoga in a health care setting, and teaching for injury recovery.

Yoga teachers also have the unique distinction of supporting more of your community and giving back to seniors. Yoga isn't always about strength and flexibility; it can bring liberty and purpose to your clients.

Teaching seniors well requires additional study, be it continuing education classes or advanced yoga teacher training, such as the RYT300 or RYT500. In today's changing world, it's possible to continue your education online at your own pace. Your students will thank you.

Be sure to check out the Prema Yoga Institute’s online advanced yoga teacher training, which offers many courses that emphasis teaching aging yoga students.

While you’re here, we’d love to invite you to enroll in ”Prema Yoga Therapeutics Essentials” - Explore how a yoga and meditation practice can significantly support health and wellness. Learn more about this course at PremaYogaInstitute.com

Prema Yoga Institute is longer limited to New York City and is now available online with interactive trainings through 2022. PYI is an accredited program based in New York city, teaching students around the globe through online classes. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you advance your yoga practice and teaching!

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(1) Langhammer, Birgitta et al. "The Importance of Physical Activity Exercise among Older People." BioMed research international vol. 2018 7856823. 5 Dec. 2018, doi:10.1155/2018/7856823

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