Healthy Living | Spring Issue | 2018 15
and balance but also your bone
density. One of the challenges
we have as we age is the loss
of balance. This is particularly
concerning when you have
osteoporosis. The balance poses
you learn in a yoga practice
will not only help you to move
through your life with more
confidence, they will also help
you to keep from falling.
Good posture is important
to keeping your spine healthy,
strong and flexible. Yoga poses
focus on alignment and help
to encourage proper posture.
Osteoporosis combined with
poor posture and balance puts
someone at high risk for developing
a fracture, according
to Dr. Edward Kahn, a board
certified orthopedic surgeon in
Oak Ridge, TN.
Dr. Kahn states that our
bones will adapt to the stresses
we put on them. The bones become
stronger under the stress
of exercise. The opposite is also
true, when we put less stress on
our bones, the bones become
weaker. A prime example is
astronauts in a weightless environment
like space. The longer
they are up there the weaker
their bones become because
there is no stress applied to the
bones. It is one of the major
medical issues that have to be
confronted for long-term missions
in space.
Yoga is something anyone
can do anywhere. Studies have
shown that practicing yoga for
only 10 minutes a day increases
bone density. Check with
your doctor before starting any
exercise program and then get
moving!
Cathleen (Cat) Reid is the
co-owner of CatFit Yoga in
Crossville, TN. She is a 200-
hour registered yoga teacher
with Yoga Alliance and holds a
master’s degree in business education
(MBE) from Middle
Tennessee State University. Cat
is also an educator for Yoga Alliance.
You can contact her at
cathleenreid@gmail.com
link
/www.catfityoga.com