THE AGELESS BENEFITS OF YOGA HOW SENIORS ARE FINDING NEW VITALITY For many seniors, maintaining an active lifestyle can be a challenge. Your body might not be as flexible as it once was, and new pains or discomforts seem to appear out of nowhere as time passes. This change can be problematic and will require some adjustment on your part, especially if you’ve lived an active lifestyle. Thankfully, there are some activities you can do to help you stay active, like yoga! You might think that yoga is just for young people, but that’s not the case at all! Yoga is a low-impact exercise that can be modified to suit a wide range of abilities, making it accessible to people of all ages. There is no expectation of perfection, as each individual is encouraged to listen to their own body and move at a comfortable pace. So even if you have health limitations or concerns, yoga is a safe and pleasant activity. Plus, you’ll gain a host of benefits from participating. By holding poses and moving through sequences, yoga helps to lengthen and stretch muscles, increasing the range of motion and reducing stiffness. You’ll also build muscle strength, particularly in your core. Your balance and posture will improve, which will help lessen physical discomfort and reduce your risk of falls. In addition to physical benefits, yoga is also mentally stimulating. The practice of yoga can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. By incorporating breathing techniques into their practice, seniors can improve cognitive function and memory. There’s also a social aspect involved. Many yoga studios offer classes specifically for seniors, which can provide a supportive and welcoming environment for everyone to practice together. It’s a great way to meet new people and have fun while staying active.
There are advantages for people of all ages to practice yoga. If you’ve been interested in trying this activity for a while, now is the time to get out and get involved. You may be surprised by how much you enjoy it!
Is Your Family Riding Legally? VIRGINIA HELMET LAWS FOR BIKERS AND CYCLISTS
For Bicyclists Virginia doesn’t have a statewide law requiring all cyclists to wear helmets. However, you are legally
Let’s be honest: Nobody likes helmets. They’re sweaty, uncomfortable, and totally mess up your hairdo. However, helmets are also lifesaving gear for everyone who rides a bike or a motorcycle. If you go on a ride without one and end up in a crash, you’re 40% more likely to die from a fatal brain injury than a helmeted rider. Here in Virginia, wearing a helmet is more than just common sense — it’s also the law of the land. Here’s a quick rundown of our state’s helmet requirements for motorcycle riders and bicyclists. For Motorcycle Riders Helmets are legally required for motorcyclists in our state. Specifically, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles says that “motorcyclists and their passengers must wear an approved motorcycle helmet that meets or exceeds the standards and specifications of the Snell Memorial Foundation, the American National Standards Institute, Inc., or the federal Department of Transportation.” Visit NHTSA.gov/motorcycle-safety and click “Choose the Right Helmet Before You Hit the Road” to learn about the Department of Transportation’s standards. You can also talk to the folks at your favorite motorcycle supply store — they’ll know which helmets follow the rules. Just remember that whether you’re making a cross-state trip or taking a friend on their first short ride around the block, everyone on your bike must helmet up.
required to wear one if you ride an electric bike — specifically, a Class 3 electric power-assisted
bicycle. Some towns, cities, and counties also require kids to wear helmets “whenever riding or being carried on a bicycle on any highway, sidewalk, or public bicycle path,” according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.
Bike laws covering kids vary from location to location, so check the local rules where you live and vacation. In Virginia Beach, for example, kids 14 and under have to wear helmets. But Kilmarnock requires helmets for kids 16 or younger. To be safe from the law and brain injuries, we recommend requiring your whole family to wear helmets no matter where you bike. –Kevin Mottley
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