Twelve lessons to improve the quality of life of the elderly: this is the European Commission's Yoga for the Elderly project, which the 'Rio Oasi' residence in Riofreddo joined with great enthusiasm.  

The facility involved about fifteen guests in the first two lessons, activities of about one hour of exercises that are very close to the group therapy already practised on a daily basis. Under the guidance of physiotherapist Sara Cimitti, the guests of the retirement home approached the ancient discipline of yoga, known for its physical and mental benefits, for the first time: they started with breathing and coordination exercises suitable for the elderly, and then moved on to joint awakening, all exercises aimed at regaining awareness of their body and mind sensations.

"We share the project's values of inclusion and diversity, which aims to ensure fair and equal conditions for all participants, especially for those who, Over65, have fewer economic and social opportunities," says the residence's health coordinator, Monica Vinciguerra. "This project aims to keep our guests active and make them feel less lonely".

The data from the questionnaires filled in at the end of the classes held by the Italian Sarva Yoga International will be collected by the association Ana Aslan (Romania), which will analyse them in order to improve the quality of life of the elderly population in different contexts.

"We wanted to join the initiative in order to fight sedentariness and make the elderly's everyday life rich in new stimuli thanks to up-to-date physical-rehabilitative activities," said Paolo Trionfera, head of the residence. "This project can allow the elderly to feel comfortable in their bodies again, to move with more awareness in space, and to gain self-confidence, in order to better cope with the physical changes due to age.