Aging Doesn't Have To Hurt

​We’re all getting older. Common complaints I hear from people around me (we’re all getting older!) include aching backs, stiff shoulders, sore knees...and a lack of flexibility. It begins almost imperceptibly - you reach for something on a high shelf and feel a twinge in the shoulder; a long drive leaves you struggling to stand up straight; an afternoon of yard work leaves you with aches that somehow take longer to go away. If you are like most people, you resign your fate as being on a scale of mildly to excruciatingly uncomfortable. Not enough for a doctor to diagnose some treatable condition, just enough to affect your sleep and overall mood.   

Just because you’re not feeling it today does not mean it’s impossible to feel at ease in your own skin. Aging gracefully is a choice within your control.  

People who have settled into a primarily sedentary lifestyle may find that yoga is a gentle way to reverse the tightness that comes from hours of sitting in chairs. Imbalance and pain in the body has a cause/effect relationship: limited hip flexibility can result in tight hamstrings and flattening of the lumbar curve; weak thigh muscles affect stability in the knees; and underused core muscles can lead to poor posture and low back discomfort. When one joint cannot move freely, the next available joint takes on the stress. A lack of flexibility is especially troublesome for men, whose bulkier muscle tissue can often take longer to release and feel stretched. 
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My first step in working with clients is finding ways to fully relax muscles that have been in a state of chronic contraction. I then guide people through a combination of somatic movements and gentle yoga, keeping a focus on mindful breathing. The recuperation and growth rate has been noticeable on many levels. Clients report more ease in their joints, better sleep, improved ability to manage strong emotions, and a general sense of optimism. I see that as pure gold and wish this for everyone.

If you feel like aging is getting the better part of you, contact me at send2astra@gmail.com Maybe I can help.
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Written by Astra Apsitis, Broken Tusk Wellness Education