Most of my yoga students are seniors. Most of these seniors living in retirement communities, assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care communities. Research has shown that it is critically important that seniors engage with others to help lower the risk for dementia-related symptoms and other serious medical conditions. Often this isn’t easy when a senior lives alone, has a chronic illness, or is experiencing hearing loss.

Helping seniors engage with others (and with me!) is one of my primary goals as a yoga teacher. Often when I arrive at a community, many folks are sleeping, watching tv, or staring into space. While none of these activities are bad for short periods of time during the day, I do my best during my 30 minute yoga classes to offer activities that encourage participants to not only stay awake, but communicate with me, move their bodies, and interact with their fellow participants.

I meet my goal of social engagement with my seniors in a variety of ways. It is when Larry smiles at me. It’s when Nicole helps Sandy shrug her shoulders. Or when Nancy sits quietly during most of class, but then belts out “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” when it’s time to sing. And it’s when Susan and Anthony ask when I’m coming back (I always come back!)

I truly believe that all humans need interaction with other humans — and that during the later stages of life it becomes even more important. Even just 30 minutes a week with a yoga teacher who specializes in seniors can do wonders for older adults’ brain health.