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Teaching yoga to seniors: essential considerations to enhance safety and reduce risk in a uniquely vulnerable age group.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Krucoff, C; Carson, K; Peterson, M; Shipp, K; Krucoff, M
Published in: J Altern Complement Med
August 2010

BACKGROUND: Seniors age 65 and older represent the fastest-growing sector of the population and, like many Americans, are increasingly drawn to yoga. This presents both an extraordinary opportunity and a serious challenge for yoga instructors who must be both a resource and guardians of safety for this uniquely vulnerable group. A typical class of seniors is likely to represent the most diverse mix of abilities of any age group. While some may be exceedingly healthy, most fit the profile of the average older adult in America, 80% of whom have at least one chronic health condition and 50% of whom have at least two. OBJECTIVES: This article discusses the Therapeutic Yoga for Seniors program, offered since 2007 at Duke Integrative Medicine to fill a critical need to help yoga instructors work safely and effectively with the increasing number of older adults coming to yoga classes, and explores three areas that pose the greatest risk of compromise to older adult students: sedentary lifestyle, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis. To provide a skillful framework for teaching yoga to seniors, we have developed specific Principles of Practice that integrate the knowledge gained from Western medicine with yogic teachings.

Duke Scholars

Published In

J Altern Complement Med

DOI

EISSN

1557-7708

Publication Date

August 2010

Volume

16

Issue

8

Start / End Page

899 / 905

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Yoga
  • Vulnerable Populations
  • United States
  • Self Care
  • Safety
  • Quality of Life
  • Program Evaluation
  • Male
  • Life Style
  • Hypertension
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Krucoff, C., Carson, K., Peterson, M., Shipp, K., & Krucoff, M. (2010). Teaching yoga to seniors: essential considerations to enhance safety and reduce risk in a uniquely vulnerable age group. J Altern Complement Med, 16(8), 899–905. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2009.0501
Krucoff, Carol, Kimberly Carson, Matthew Peterson, Kathy Shipp, and Mitchell Krucoff. “Teaching yoga to seniors: essential considerations to enhance safety and reduce risk in a uniquely vulnerable age group.J Altern Complement Med 16, no. 8 (August 2010): 899–905. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2009.0501.
Krucoff C, Carson K, Peterson M, Shipp K, Krucoff M. Teaching yoga to seniors: essential considerations to enhance safety and reduce risk in a uniquely vulnerable age group. J Altern Complement Med. 2010 Aug;16(8):899–905.
Krucoff, Carol, et al. “Teaching yoga to seniors: essential considerations to enhance safety and reduce risk in a uniquely vulnerable age group.J Altern Complement Med, vol. 16, no. 8, Aug. 2010, pp. 899–905. Pubmed, doi:10.1089/acm.2009.0501.
Krucoff C, Carson K, Peterson M, Shipp K, Krucoff M. Teaching yoga to seniors: essential considerations to enhance safety and reduce risk in a uniquely vulnerable age group. J Altern Complement Med. 2010 Aug;16(8):899–905.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Altern Complement Med

DOI

EISSN

1557-7708

Publication Date

August 2010

Volume

16

Issue

8

Start / End Page

899 / 905

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Yoga
  • Vulnerable Populations
  • United States
  • Self Care
  • Safety
  • Quality of Life
  • Program Evaluation
  • Male
  • Life Style
  • Hypertension