"One of the major advantages for seniors taking up yoga is that they're much more ready and able to relax and slow down, which is a great help when doing yoga," says Daniel. "Yoga is about relaxing and opening up, and people who are in their retirement years can usually relax much better than younger people. Their stress levels aren't as high, their schedules aren't as tight and they can fully concentrate on the task at hand."

Moving into common yoga poses such as Up Dog, Down Dog and Cat requires quiet concentration, disciplined breathing and the ability to relax the muscles. The maturity that comes with age can turn yoga into an ideal way to stay both physically and mentally fit, Daniel says.

"One of the reasons I got into yoga is that after years of doing high-impact aerobics, I felt I could age gracefully with yoga and have a little more control over how intense I wanted it to be," says Daniel. "I could adapt my yoga routine to my age and fitness level as I got older. It's one of the things I love about yoga, it's a very adaptable practice."

Of course, your general fitness level will have a great impact on your ability to do yoga. "Ultimately, it's not anything to do with age itself, it's about general fitness level," says Daniel. "And years and years of hunching over a desk and not working out can really be turned around with yoga, because yoga can straighten out the spine and open up the shoulders."

In recent years, Daniel says he's seen an influx of students, particularly older Americans, in his yoga classes. "I'm seeing a lot more seniors because of the adaptability of yoga itself, and I see more pregnant women and men as well," says Daniel. "Overall, yoga is on the rise, and it's a very good choice for older people."

Seniors should keep a few things in mind when practicing yoga:

 If you've got a history of injuries, pay close attention to them before and during a yoga class. If any of the moves or poses put extra pressure on a weak spot, proceed with caution and let your instructor know, especially if he/she is helping guide you through the pose.

Be respectful of your body. The enthusiasm might be there, but you're not a teenager anymore. Don't push too hard.

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