Yoga For Elderly (Credit-Freepik)
As we age, our bodies and minds change, and at different paces for everyone. Some people might experience physical changes that make daily tasks a struggle, while others might feel more mental shifts. This can include lowered confidence, less flexibility, and balance issues. There can also be changes in digestion, breathing, and heart function. These bodily challenges can lead to sleep problems, low mood, and a general decline in well-being.
Here is a yoga sequence that you can follow to ensure healthy and happy ageing, making it easier for your body to go through this natural process.
Tadasana Variation Feet Hip Wide
Stand tall in the centre of your mat with your feet hip-width apart. Let your shoulders and neck relax, keeping your whole body loose. You can close your eyes or gaze forward. To open your body and mind, try alternate nostril breathing. Close your left nostril with your right ring finger and breathe in slowly through your right nostril. Then exhale slowly through the same nostril. Repeat this for 12 cycles. This right nostril breathing (also called "sun" breathing) helps warm up your body, which prepares your muscles for movement. After 12 breaths, relax and let your arms hang by your sides.
Tadasana Deltoids Stretch
Loosen up your shoulders with this gentle stretch! Raise your left arm out to the side at shoulder height. Inhale and reach your right arm up to gently clasp your left wrist. Then, use your left arm to softly push your right arm towards your left shoulder blade. Hold this stretch for 2 slow breaths, focusing on smooth and even breathing. This helps open up any tightness in your upper arms near the shoulders. Release and repeat on the other side.
Standing Shoulder Rolls
After loosening your shoulders with the arms stretch, take a few breaths to relax in Mountain Pose (standing tall with arms at your sides). Now, roll your shoulders! Raise your arms up slightly and make 3 slow, forward circles with your shoulders, breathing comfortably for 6 breaths. Then, in the reverse direction, make 3 slow backward circles with your shoulders for another 6 breaths. Remember to keep these movements gentle and avoid any jerky motions.
Neck Rotation And Massage
Gently unwind your neck after the shoulder rolls. Take a breath and begin slowly rotating your neck in a circle. Start by tilting your head to the side, then turn as far as feels comfortable, bringing your chin towards your shoulder. Continue circling back to the center and then repeat on the other side. Do 2 rounds of these slow circles, inhaling as you begin and exhaling as you complete the circle. Take your time and avoid any jerky movements that might cause discomfort.
Eka Hasta Parsva Bhanga Variation
Loosen up your sides with this gentle bend! Stand tall with your arms at your sides (Mountain Pose). Inhale and reach your left arm up overhead. As you exhale, bend your torso slightly to the right, reaching your left arm over towards your right side. Feel the stretch along your left side and the lower part of your back. Hold for 2 breaths, focusing on opening your chest without straining any muscles. Release and repeat on the other side.
Standing Side Stretch Pose
Unwind after the side bend with some gentle twists. Stand tall in Mountain Pose and take a few breaths to centre yourself. Now, place your right hand on your left shoulder and your left hand behind your right hip. Inhale and gently twist your torso to the left, looking over your left shoulder. This twist helps release any tension in your shoulders and neck. Hold for 2 breaths, then exhale and repeat on the other side, placing your left hand on your right shoulder and your right hand behind your left hip. Hold for 2 breaths on this side as well.
Credits: Instagram
Michael B. Jordan’s fitness and physical transformation have returned to the spotlight after the actor won Best Actor at the 2026 Academy Awards for his performance in Sinners.
The win has renewed public interest in the intense training routines and disciplined lifestyle that have shaped his on-screen presence over the past decade.
Known for roles that demand significant physical conditioning, Jordan has repeatedly transformed his body for films such as 'Creed', 'Black Panther' and 'Without Remorse'.
Fitness experts often cite his training approach as an example of how targeted exercise, structured nutrition and recovery practices can dramatically alter body composition over time.
Although Jordan is now known for his muscular build, he did not begin his career with a highly developed physique. As a teenager, he was active in sports, particularly basketball, which provided a baseline level of fitness. However, his build was naturally slim.
Jordan has previously explained that his perspective on fitness changed when he began working on television projects such as 'Friday Night Lights'. At that point, he realized that physical appearance could play an important role in casting, marketing and character development.
According to his long-time trainer Corey Calliet, Jordan initially struggled with strength training when they first began working together. Early sessions reportedly revealed limited upper body strength and difficulty gaining muscle mass.
This is not unusual from a physiological perspective. Individuals with naturally fast metabolisms often find it difficult to gain muscle because their bodies burn calories quickly. To overcome this, Jordan gradually increased both his training intensity and calorie intake.
One of the most distinctive aspects of Jordan’s fitness strategy is that his workouts are tailored to each role rather than following a single fixed program.
For the 'Creed' film series, his training focused on developing the physique and performance capacity of a professional boxer. This meant a heavy emphasis on boxing drills, endurance training, and cardiovascular conditioning.
Cardiovascular conditioning refers to exercises that strengthen the heart and lungs while improving the body’s ability to deliver oxygen to muscles during physical activity. Boxing training typically includes activities such as skipping, sparring, pad work and high-intensity interval training.
In contrast, Jordan’s preparation for 'Black Panther' required a different approach. For this role, the goal was not simply athletic performance but a visually powerful physique suited to a comic-book antagonist. Trainer Corey Calliet therefore introduced a bodybuilding-focused routine aimed at increasing muscle size and definition.
Bodybuilding training involves targeted resistance exercises designed to stimulate muscle growth, also known as hypertrophy. These routines often focus on isolating specific muscle groups such as the chest, arms, and legs.
Jordan’s preparation for physically demanding roles has often involved extremely intensive training schedules. During the filming of 'Creed', he reportedly trained two to three times per day, six days a week.
This level of frequency is common among professional athletes preparing for competition. The routine typically combines strength training, skill-based practice and endurance workouts.
High-intensity interval training, often abbreviated as HIIT, also played an important role in his program. HIIT involves short bursts of intense exercise followed by brief recovery periods. Research shows that this form of training can improve cardiovascular fitness, burn fat, and increase metabolic efficiency.
Jordan has noted that maintaining such a schedule consistently for several months can lead to significant changes in body composition, including increased muscle mass and reduced body fat.
Exercise alone cannot produce dramatic physical changes without appropriate nutrition. During times, when Jordan needs to increase muscle mass, he reportedly consumes three to six meals per day.
These meals typically include lean proteins such as chicken or fish, complex carbohydrates such as brown rice or sweet potatoes, and vegetables that provide vitamins and fibre.
Protein is especially important because it supplies the amino acids required for muscle repair and growth after strength training. Between film projects, Jordan relaxes his diet slightly but still maintains general healthy eating habits. He has previously mentioned allowing himself an occasional cheat meal while practicing moderation overall.
In recent years, Jordan has placed greater emphasis on recovery practices. These include stretching, meditation and breathing exercises performed each morning.
Stretching helps improve flexibility and reduce the risk of muscle injuries. Meditation and controlled breathing are often used to manage stress and support mental wellbeing.
Recovery is increasingly recognised as a critical component of athletic performance. Without adequate rest and muscle recovery, intense training can lead to fatigue, injury, and reduced physical performance.
Jordan has also said that he now incorporates lighter forms of physical activity between film projects, including swimming, sports and playing with family members.
Michael B. Jordan’s physical transformation over the years reflects a structured approach that combines training, nutrition, and recovery. Rather than relying on a single workout formula, his fitness strategy adapts to the demands of each role while maintaining long-term health.
With his 2026 Oscar win bringing renewed attention to his career, his disciplined fitness regimen has once again become a topic of interest. For many observers, Jordan’s journey illustrates how consistent habits and scientifically informed training methods can gradually reshape the body over time.
Credits: Instagram
Ankur Warikoo, entrepreneur, who has gained fame with his to-the-point practical and solution oriented videos on Instagram, recently talked about his fitness journey and diet routine which helped him achieve only 13 per cent body fat at the age of 45. "The exact method that got me 13 per cent at the age of 45. No steroids, no shortcuts, not AI. The 3T formula got me here, starting with the one most people skip," said Warikoo in his Instagram post.
“The only way to lose fat is through a calorie deficit (consume fewer calories than you burn). Many track their calorie-out (how much they burn, through a smart watch or ring). But very few track their calorie-in (how much they eat),” he said.
This is why, T-1 is Track. This phase aims at tracking what you eat and keeping a check on your calorie intake.
Warikoo said that he brough his calorie intake to 1,600 to 1,800. He started with a 500 calorie deficit every day and continued till 7,500 every two weeks to lose 1 kg. Then repeated the same routine. He also increased his protein intake. In a deficit, you lose muscle and fat. Protein replenishes the muscle. Without it, you just end up skinny,” he said.
9.30 am – 1 scoop whey protein, creatine, 1 walnut, 4 almonds, 4 cashews, 5-6 raisins
11 am – 200 grams paneer/tofu/tempeh/ or dal chilla. Rarely eggs
1 pm – Fruit
4 pm – 2 rotis (emmer wheat/jowar/soya bean) sabzi+ dal+ low fat yogurt
6.30 pm – 1 scoop whey protein with curd
“I didn’t cut out chhole bhature (my favourite). Had mithai – quite often. The goal wasn’t perfection. It was to reach the two-week deficit,” said Warikoo.
Warikoo's training schedule looked like this:
Tennis – 6 days a week, 1 hour (cardio sorted)
Weights – 6 days a week, 45 minutes
Every day: 2 exercises * 3 body parts = 6 exercises
10-12 reps
3 sets
“Didn’t get bored,” he shared.
He said he tracked his daily weight and weekly measurements to document his transformation and the progress he had been making. He said that he also "sent pictures to my trainer for accountability. Ate mostly the same meals. Boring works," he said.
Experts have noted that a diet, especially like Warikoo's which is mostly vegetarian, excels in sustainability. Furthermore, his diet was balanced with protein, macros from dal, tofu and Greek yogurt. He also did resistance training to preserve lean mass which is a common mid-age related condition that could lead to sarcopenia.
Experts also point out that while tracking weight and measures are great notifiers of tracking health, one should understand that losing weight is not everything. This is why getting blood work at frequent intervals could tell you more than your dropping weight.
Credits: Canva
Mobility and independence are two things that keep people healthy, however, with age, as bones weaken and muscle is lost, elderly become more dependent. This condition is called sarcopenia, or age-related muscle loss. India is finally focusing on this and have now new guidelines to warn people against it.
The Geriatric Society of India released country's first 'Indian Guidelines for the Evaluation and Management of Sarcopenia'. These guidelines are a combination of recommendations by experts across multiple specialties, including geriatric medicine, orthopedics, endocrinology, physiotherapy and nutrition. These guidelines aim to help doctors detect and treat muscle loss early. The aim is to not let elderly compromise with their independence.
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Sarcopenia literally translates to 'loss of flesh'. Medically, it refers to gradual decline in muscle mass, strength and physical function with aging. While it is often overlooked, it is also the major reason for many fractures and hospitalizations of older adults, and sometimes, even death.
India is expected to have around 319 million people aged over 60 by 2050, which is one-fifth of the population. It could be concerning as they are at risk of sarcopenia. Studies have also shown that the number has increased from 8-18 per cent to 25-40 per cent adults, especially hospitalization cases. Experts point out that those with chronic diseases like diabetes are at a higher risk.
Dr OP Sharma, who led guidelines said that muscle health is most important for healthy aging. "Strength preserves dignity. Early detection saves independence," he said. Dr Sharma also noted that the sedentary lifestyle, poor nutrition and chronic illnesses are accelerating this condition among seniors.
The guidelines also advise doctors to look for warning signs in patients, which include weak grip strength, slower walking speed, or difficulty getting up from a chair. There are also screening tools like SARC-F questionnaire, which could help identify those at risk.
The ray of hope here is that sarcopenia could be prevented or slowed that too with simple lifestyle changes.
Doctors are also advising to eat a balanced diet, which includes protein, fats, green vegetables, and pulses. Dr Raju Vaishya of Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals said, "India is a sarcopenic nation". He pointed that everyone needs to be aware about muscle health, however this awareness remains low in the country.
Dr Randeep Guleria said the guidelines aim to brings muscle health into routine medical care. "They bridge science with clinical wisdom, making sarcopenia visible in everyday practice."
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