ADRC is bringing yoga's benefits to Care Partners

When potential practitioners consider starting a yoga practice, many are drawn by the idea of lengthening and strengthening their muscles. Others feel intimated, thinking that classes are populated by contortionists finding pretzel poses and flipping upside down. 

Whether a yoga studio feels inspiring or terrifying, students often approach the space focused on how it will benefit, or even transform, their physical bodies. Still others stay away because of the body’s limits. 

And while consistency does spark physical strength, the practitioner’s limits are also an essential element of the practice, and yoga’s perks extend well beyond the body’s flexibility and muscle tone. 

Recent research suggests that Kundalini yoga, specifically, could support postmenopausal women who are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s. 

According to the non-profit 3HO International, Kundalini yoga “is known for its repetitive movement patterns, dynamic breathwork, and active meditations. Classes are often energetic, with sound and mantra playing a central role in the practice.” 

The UCLA study split their participants into two groups. One subset of women took weekly Kundalini classes, while the others were given exercises to better their memory. 

“Researchers found the Kundalini yoga group participants saw several improvements not experienced by the memory enhancement training group,” a press release states. “These included significant improvement in subjective memory complaints, prevention in brain matter declines, increased connectivity in the hippocampus which manages stress-related memories, and improvement in the peripheral cytokines and gene expression of anti-inflammatory and anti-aging molecules.” 

The women who completed the memory exercises did see improved long-term memory, and the study’s lead, Dr. Helen Lavretsky, suggests that the two techniques could be used simultaneously for improved results. 

“Yoga has this anti-inflammatory, stress-reducing, anti-aging neuroplastic brain effect which would be complimentary to memory training,” she says. 

And, as those who have practiced once or twice know, yoga just makes you feel good!

That is why we are so excited to offer a monthly yoga class for our Care Partners! 

We invite you to join us on Zoom for your very own Self-Care Saturday, which starts at 9:00 a.m. the second Saturday of each new month, beginning November 09.

Each 1.5 hour session is an invitation to turn inward, and explores a theme related to the Care Partnership journey.  

The classes are designed for beginners, and your instructor, Jess, offers plenty of modifications, and incorporates breathwork, reflection questions, and light movement. 

Jess Inman is a writer, workshop facilitator, and yoga instructor who got her 200-hour yoga teacher certification from Inspirit Yoga Studio in 2022. 

You’ll leave Self-Care Saturdays feeling refreshed, reconnected and reinvigorated to continue your journey. 

Attendees should wear comfortable clothing, and bring a mat, pillows, a towel, and a journal. 

If you’re interested in learning more, and registering for a spot, please email Jess at hello@thejesslauren.com, and she will send you the zoom link!