4 simple yoga asanas that can help your elderly parents keep their joints strong

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One of the most common problems with the elderly is joint pain. This is something that can truly lead to frustration as it not only causes severe pain but also affects their mobility. As we age, our joints get affected due to different reasons and you cannot deny that the pain as well as inflammation can make life difficult.

In such a situation, we have to look at ways to strengthen their joints. This will help relieve any prevalent issues while also ensuring the risk of joint problems flaring up in our elderly parents is reduced. Thankfully yoga can gently take care of your parents’ joints while also promoting some activity in their daily lives. 

Here are four asanas which can ensure that your parents’ joints stay strong and healthy:

1. Urdhva baddhanguliyasana or upward bound hands pose

• Inhale and stretch your arms over your head.
• Interlock your fingers and invert the hands to enable further stretching.
• Get on your toes while exhaling.
• Try to maintain your balance by staring at one point. It is best if you can hold this pose for a minimum of one minute.
• Get back on your feet slowly and bring down your arms.

Also, read: This study says exercising can help your parents live longer by reducing muscle loss

2. Trikonasana or triangle pose

• Place your feet three to four feet apart.
• Turn your right foot out at 90 degrees while placing the left foot at 15 degrees.
• Make sure your body weight is equally distributed.
• Now, take a deep breath and while exhaling, bend your body to the right from your hip. Lift your left arm upwards and place the right hand on your foot. Ensure that your arms are making a straight line.
• Take deep breaths while trying to hold this pose.
• While coming up, make sure you inhale.

Also, read: These yoga techniques can help your parents deal with hypertension

3. Makara adho mukha svanasana or dolphin plank pose

• Get into downward-facing dog pose. Shift your body weight to the arms.
• Slowly, lower your arms till your elbows touch the floors. Press your hands to the floor.
• Keep looking at the floor to maintain balance while ensuring that your back and knees stay straight.
• Inhale and exhale while you hold the pose while keeping the core engaged.

Also, read: Want your parents to exercise? Get their friends involved, says this study

4. Veerabhadra asana or warrior pose II

• Initially, stand with your feet three to four feet apart.
• Turn your right foot outward at 90 degrees and place your left foot at 15 degrees.
• Lift your arms to shoulder height. Turn your palm upwards and make sure your arms are parallel to the ground.
• Bend your right knee and turn your head to the right.
• Hold the asana for a couple of breaths, depending on your comfort. Slowly come back to the initial position.

These four gentle poses can ensure that your parents can maintain their joint health.