{"id":277,"date":"2025-12-12T21:01:22","date_gmt":"2025-12-12T21:01:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/?p=277"},"modified":"2025-12-12T21:08:01","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T21:08:01","slug":"age-using-mindfulness-practices-to-improve-safety-and-well-being-of-older-wyomingites","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-using-mindfulness-practices-to-improve-safety-and-well-being-of-older-wyomingites\/","title":{"rendered":"AGE | Using Mindfulness Practices to Improve Safety and Well-being of Older Wyomingites"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"277\" class=\"elementor elementor-277\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c4c3cc e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"0c4c3cc\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-14690a3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-title elementor-page-title elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"14690a3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">AGE | Using Mindfulness Practices to Improve Safety and Well-being of Older Wyomingites<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6b41c6e elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-featured-image elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6b41c6e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-featured-image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_6.png\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536 wp-image-284\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_6.png 1200w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_6-300x90.png 300w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_6-1024x307.png 1024w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_6-768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91c2c9d e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"91c2c9d\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d65f7a5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-author-box\" data-id=\"d65f7a5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"author-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"elementor-author-box__avatar\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025_AGE-Blog_authors-320x-1-Sarah-Olsen-300x300.png\" alt=\"Picture of Kelly A. Grogan\" loading=\"lazy\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-author-box__name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKelly A. Grogan\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ea1527 elementor-widget elementor-widget-author-box\" data-id=\"7ea1527\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"author-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-meet-our-authors-bernard-steinman\/\" class=\"elementor-author-box__avatar\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025_AGE-Blog_authors-450x-2-Dr.-Bernard-Steinman-1-1-300x300.png\" alt=\"Picture of Bernard A. Steinman\" loading=\"lazy\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-meet-our-authors-bernard-steinman\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-author-box__name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBernard A. Steinman\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c59d8ed elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-info\" data-id=\"c59d8ed\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-info.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-inline-items elementor-icon-list-items elementor-post-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-a3a363a elementor-inline-item\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/2025\/12\/12\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-calendar\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M12 192h424c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v260c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48H48c-26.5 0-48-21.5-48-48V204c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12zm436-44v-36c0-26.5-21.5-48-48-48h-48V12c0-6.6-5.4-12-12-12h-40c-6.6 0-12 5.4-12 12v52H160V12c0-6.6-5.4-12-12-12h-40c-6.6 0-12 5.4-12 12v52H48C21.5 64 0 85.5 0 112v36c0 6.6 5.4 12 12 12h424c6.6 0 12-5.4 12-12z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-date\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<time>December 12, 2025<\/time>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-680101a elementor-share-buttons--shape-rounded elementor-share-buttons--view-icon-text elementor-share-buttons--skin-gradient elementor-grid-0 elementor-share-buttons--color-official elementor-widget elementor-widget-share-buttons\" data-id=\"680101a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"share-buttons.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div 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256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFacebook\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn elementor-share-btn_email\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Share on email\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-envelope\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M502.3 190.8c3.9-3.1 9.7-.2 9.7 4.7V400c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48H48c-26.5 0-48-21.5-48-48V195.6c0-5 5.7-7.8 9.7-4.7 22.4 17.4 52.1 39.5 154.1 113.6 21.1 15.4 56.7 47.8 92.2 47.6 35.7.3 72-32.8 92.3-47.6 102-74.1 131.6-96.3 154-113.7zM256 320c23.2.4 56.6-29.2 73.4-41.4 132.7-96.3 142.8-104.7 173.4-128.7 5.8-4.5 9.2-11.5 9.2-18.9v-19c0-26.5-21.5-48-48-48H48C21.5 64 0 85.5 0 112v19c0 7.4 3.4 14.3 9.2 18.9 30.6 23.9 40.7 32.4 173.4 128.7 16.8 12.2 50.2 41.8 73.4 41.4z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEmail\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn elementor-share-btn_print\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Share on print\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-print\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M448 192V77.25c0-8.49-3.37-16.62-9.37-22.63L393.37 9.37c-6-6-14.14-9.37-22.63-9.37H96C78.33 0 64 14.33 64 32v160c-35.35 0-64 28.65-64 64v112c0 8.84 7.16 16 16 16h48v96c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h320c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-96h48c8.84 0 16-7.16 16-16V256c0-35.35-28.65-64-64-64zm-64 256H128v-96h256v96zm0-224H128V64h192v48c0 8.84 7.16 16 16 16h48v96zm48 72c-13.25 0-24-10.75-24-24 0-13.26 10.75-24 24-24s24 10.74 24 24c0 13.25-10.75 24-24 24z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPrint\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-61a4219 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"61a4219\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Try this exercise: Take a minute&#8230; in fact, take a few minutes to stop and observe how your mind works. Wherever you are, bring your attention to your breath. Try to follow the entire inhale and exhale. Then try to follow the next breath, and so on.<\/p><p>Pretty much everyone who tries this will notice their mind start to wander almost immediately, flying from one thought to another, with seemingly little order. That\u2019s how a normal human mind generally works.<\/p><p>Very simply put, the practice of mindfulness is this: stopping, bringing ourselves into the current moment, and observing the activity of our minds and actions, with compassionate non-judgment, then letting the thoughts go. This last step is especially important, since our goal is only to observe and become aware of our thinking patterns\u2014not to critique ourselves by judging the contents of our thoughts.<\/p><p>Over time, this type of practice has the potential to lead to insights into how our thought patterns and habits may impact (for better or worse) many emotional and physical aspects of our lives. By developing mindfulness, we can choose where to place our attention, instead of spending valuable time dwelling on things that happened in the past or worrying about what may or may not happen in the future.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bccb256 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"bccb256\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_4.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-281\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_4.png 1200w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_4-300x90.png 300w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_4-1024x307.png 1024w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_4-768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2cd06de elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2cd06de\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>By increasing our mindfulness, we can improve our safety, human relationships, and overall well-being and quality of life.<\/p><p>Older adults, especially, can benefit from practicing mindfulness.<\/p><p>Unfortunately, aging is often associated with <em>losses <\/em>in physical ability, mental acuity, social networks, and central aspects of our personal identities. Too often, these inevitable diversions keep us from seeing the one thing that we for sure have, which is the current moment.<\/p><p>Distractions from the moment at hand, at any given time, often place us at greater risk for injury. For example, each year about 1 out of 3 older Americans experience falls, many of which are serious and lead to hospitalizations or even death.<\/p><p>After a fall, many older people understandably reduce their activity levels due to fear of falling again, which then leads to further decline. It is truly a potentially vicious cycle.<\/p><p>The practice of being aware, moment to moment, especially when we\u2019re in situations that involve increased physical risk, like climbing into the bathtub, maneuvering stairs in or around our homes, or walking out on icy Wyoming winter sidewalks, can significantly reduce those risks.<\/p><p>Developing habits of mindfulness can also reduce emotional risk when interacting with friends, colleagues, and family members in relationships that may have been wounded in the past. Mindfulness allows us to approach each interaction with a fresh perspective.<\/p><p>Studies on the effects of practicing mindful awareness on health and quality of life support the notion that mindfulness exercises can benefit individuals regardless of their age.<\/p><p>Mindfulness practices have been shown to help with depression, anxiety, mental acuity, and symptoms of pain that are often associated with age, injury, and chronic diseases such as heart disease, arthritis, and cancer.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e0d128e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e0d128e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_10.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-282\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_10.png 1200w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_10-300x90.png 300w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_10-1024x307.png 1024w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_10-768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6525a75 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6525a75\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Thirteen different studies have explored the effects of yoga on balance across various ages, including those 65 years of age and older.<a href=\"#_ftn1\" name=\"_ftnref1\">[1]<\/a> In as little as four weeks, all studies found improvements in balance among study participants when practicing yoga three to five times a week. These studies used a variety of yoga styles, including Hatha, Vinyasa, Bikram, and Iyengar yoga.<\/p><p>Many fall prevention programs exist in Wyoming that incorporate exercise regimens, changes in the physical environment, <em>and<\/em> bringing awareness to change behavioral patterns to decrease the risk of accidents.<\/p><p>Across the state, both in centers that provide programs specifically tailored to meet the needs of older people and in community recreational settings available to residents of all ages, there are programs that offer opportunities to improve our awareness of the current moment.<\/p><p>For example, <a href=\"https:\/\/lcseniorservices.com\/events\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Laramie County Senior Services, operating in Cheyenne<\/a>, offers yoga classes to improve mindful breathing and to build strength in core muscles that improve stability and balance.<\/p><p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/seniorcenterjh.org\/at-the-center\/health-wellness\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Senior Center of Jackson Hole<\/a> offers Tai Chi classes, which are designed to improve awareness of our body\u2019s movements and are centered around breathing practices. Some have described Tai Chi as \u201cmeditation in motion.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-45b8418 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"45b8418\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_8.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-283\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_8.png 1200w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_8-300x90.png 300w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_8-1024x307.png 1024w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_8-768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8aa8955 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8aa8955\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>For those less inclined to join formal classes, many of the following practices are easy to try at home!<\/p><p><strong>Seated meditation<\/strong>: One style of seated meditation involves the use of an \u201canchor.\u201d The anchor is the thing on which you try to maintain awareness. The breath is a classic anchor. For some people, however, following the breath can actually increase anxiety. If that\u2019s the case for you, other possible anchors include feeling your feet on the floor or your hands resting in your lap, noting sounds you hear in your space, or silently repeating a mantra (e.g., I am grateful, I am at peace, or I am enough). Once you\u2019ve chosen an anchor, find a comfortable seated position in your favorite chair. If it\u2019s comfortable, close your eyes. Otherwise, take a soft gaze towards the floor. Then bring your awareness to your anchor. Because you are human, your mind will wander. That\u2019s okay! As soon as you notice your mind has wandered, just bring your awareness back to your anchor. You can start with as little as two minutes, and gradually increase the time spent meditating. Ten to fifteen minutes is a good target. And no, you are not \u201cbad at meditating\u201d if your mind wanders. The very fact that you were aware that your mind wandered means you were meditating perfectly.<\/p><p>You can find a <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/a02ilaKWNqI?si=4-o_xIdxTjKa_txa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">5-minute guided seated meditation here<\/a>.<\/p><p><strong>Walking meditation<\/strong>: In walking meditation, your footsteps become your anchor. You can either bring your focus to the moving point of contact of your foot with the ground or you can add a mantra to each footstep. This could be as simple as thinking \u201cleft\u201d when your left foot hits the ground and \u201cright\u201d when your right foot hits the ground. Or you can use two meaningful words for you, such as grateful, healthy, strong, happy, etc., repeating one on the left foot and one on the right foot. Just like in seated meditation, your mind will likely wander. That\u2019s okay! Just bring your awareness back to your feet and begin again.<\/p><p>You can find a <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/xUeJxUG0ajY?si=n1ipn8HjW1rePoQs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">5-minute guided walking meditation here<\/a>.<\/p><p><strong>Yoga<\/strong>: While learning yoga in person from a well-trained teacher is ideal to get feedback on your practice, there are many online resources for those without access to a studio. We\u2019ve included a <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/Cih9GvG2e78?si=_cMw8xOTNBMKQ-8z\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">20-minute practice designed to improve balance<\/a> and a <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/lcy0hYgmETk?si=iXZF9id5-huz1Od2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">20-minute practice designed to increase leg strength<\/a>.<\/p><p><strong>Authors: <\/strong><em>Kelly A. Grogan<\/em> (<a href=\"mailto:kgrogan1@uwyo.edu\">kgrogan1@uwyo.edu<\/a>) is an economist and associate professor in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics. She has practiced yoga for about 17 years and taught yoga for 7 years.<\/p><p><em>Bernard A. Steinman<\/em> (<a href=\"mailto:bsteinm1@uwyo.edu\">bsteinm1@uwyo.edu<\/a>) is a gerontologist and associate professor in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. He is an ongoing practitioner and student of mindfulness meditation.<\/p><p>Both currently teach at the University of Wyoming in the College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources.<\/p><p><a href=\"#_ftnref1\" name=\"_ftn1\">[1]<\/a> For a review of these studies, see: Bajaj P, Nagendra L, Bajaj A, Samuel M, Chandran M. Effect of yoga on balance, falls, and bone metabolism: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials in healthy individuals. Osteoporos Int. 2025 Feb;36(2):193-224. doi: 10.1007\/s00198-024-07307-x. Epub 2024 Nov 28. PMID: 39607489.<\/p><p>(Also see this <a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-finding-your-balance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">companion piece by UW Extension educator Larrisa Bonnet, Finding Your Balance<\/a>, in this issue of AGE.)<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-79d4494 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"79d4494\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b689f1c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b689f1c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Related Posts<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-831dd09 elementor-posts__hover-none elementor-grid-2 elementor-grid-tablet-2 elementor-grid-mobile-1 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tag-bernard-steinman\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-falls-among-older-people-and-how-we-can-prevent-them\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.4-1.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-386\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.4-1.png 1200w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.4-1-300x90.png 300w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.4-1-1024x307.png 1024w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.4-1-768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-falls-among-older-people-and-how-we-can-prevent-them\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tAGE | Falls Among Older People, and How We Can Prevent Them\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>Anyone who has ever unexpectedly experienced a fall (which should be about all of us) knows the terror that occurs between the moments of our trip, slip, or stumble, the fall itself, and the jarring moment of impact!<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-falls-among-older-people-and-how-we-can-prevent-them\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about AGE | Falls Among Older People, and How We Can Prevent Them\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRespectful terms for aging\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-315 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-age-blog category-financial-well-being category-mental-health category-physical-activity tag-bernard-steinman\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-benefits-and-challenges-of-working-in-later-life\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_14.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-321\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_14.png 1200w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_14-300x90.png 300w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_14-1024x307.png 1024w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quarter-2_14-768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-benefits-and-challenges-of-working-in-later-life\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tAGE | Benefits and Challenges of Working in Later Life\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>The traditional image of retirement\u2014days filled solely with leisure and relaxation\u2014is being redefined for a growing number of older adults across the nation, Wyoming included. Many individuals are choosing, or needing, to remain in the workforce well past the \u201ctraditional\u201d retirement age of around 65. This isn\u2019t just a passing phenomenon, it\u2019s a culture shift driven by economic realities, personal fulfillment, and evolving demographics.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-benefits-and-challenges-of-working-in-later-life\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about AGE | Benefits and Challenges of Working in Later Life\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRespectful terms for aging\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Try this exercise: Take a minute&#8230; in fact, take a few minutes to stop and observe how your mind works. Wherever you are, bring your attention to your breath. Try to follow the entire inhale and exhale. Then try to follow the next breath, and so on.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":284,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,9,11],"tags":[12],"class_list":["post-277","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-age-blog","category-mental-health","category-physical-activity","tag-bernard-steinman"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/277","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=277"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/277\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":287,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/277\/revisions\/287"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/284"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=277"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=277"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=277"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}