Updated April 2024
If you’re over 40, you’ve probably observed that your balance just isn’t what it used to be. For me, it started with noticing how much more unsteady I felt in my Warrior 3 poses. I know some of you can relate! So why does balance become more difficult as we age? Here are seven reasons:
- Changes in your inner ear
- Infections
- Blood pressure medications
- Circulatory problems
- Lower activity level
- Poor leg alignment
- Weak spinal muscles
While yoga can’t necessarily help with all these challenges, it can certainly help with many of them: It increases circulation and activity level, helps cultivate better awareness around leg and joint alignment, strengthens muscles in your body, and can even help naturally lower your blood pressure.
If you’re looking for yoga practices to help improve your balance, check out my upcoming 8-week ‘Yoga for Core Integrity’ Live+Virtual course where I’ll help you power up your yoga poses and your body by exploring all the muscles–abs, glutes, obliques and more–that make up a strong core. For less of a time commitment, check out my ’15-Minute Yoga’ video course which has some great 15-minute yoga sequences for balance, core strength, hip health, back strength, and more.
Finally, when you’re doing your yoga practice and feel wobbly in those balances, don’t get discouraged. Remember that even if you don’t hold them perfectly, just the effort you’re putting forth is making you stronger!
