On the physical side, the challenging poses increase flexibility that helps expand the range of motion. They also promote balance (e.g. single-leg stances) that can strengthen shoulders, legs and core while training proprioception (body awareness), which arises from the close coordination of the neuro-muscular system maintaining tone (muscles primed for action).
Can yoga even help you live longer? That is the suggestion from a recent New York Times article profiling Charlotte Chopin, a 102-year-old yoga teacher in Léré, France, whose longevity philosophy centers on the steady practice, simple routines, and strong social ties from yoga. She began yoga at 50 and has been teaching since 1982. After breaking her sternum at 100 in a car crash (she still drives), she returned to teaching three weekly classes, pares back only the hardest poses, and keeps her lessons unchanged.
From a physical standpoint, flexibility helps preserve comfortable, pain-limited motion for daily activities like turning your head, reaching overhead, or putting on shoes. Balance training protects independence by preventing falls (and thus fractures and hospitalization) with some studies showing ~20–35% fewer falls with programs that emphasize balance/functional tasks. Indeed, simple tests like a 10-second one-leg stance correlate with health status and mortality risk in mid-to-late life (QH).
Of course one should not underestimate the importance of reducing stress. Less stress in your life can lower blood pressure, help you sleep at night, ameliorate disruptions to your digestion, and reduce metabolic dysregulation (e.g. rise in blood sugar) that can increase weight. Finally, stress has a major adverse effect on mental health.
Ms Chopin is a single anecdotal data point but her example is instructive. She emphasizes the importance of emotional regulation i.e. serenity. When asked what yoga gives her, she answers simply: "serenity,” implying lower stress and steadier mood day to day. In addition her yoga classes provide purpose and routine. She has taught since 1982 and still structures her week around three classes; she even says her classes haven’t changed—"the poses are the poses." As mentioned above there are the benefits of ongoing physical activity and function. She demonstrates poses (e.g., warrior series), moves “with the steadiness of someone decades younger,” and can still touch her toes (Video 1). Finally her yoga group provides social connection. She says the relationships with her students are as vital as the practice itself; her classes are a warm, long-standing community, aligning with research that "super-agers" value social ties.
Cognitive decline and dementia are two conditions associated with aging. Interestingly, a systematic review in 2023 found that yoga for those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia showed potentially beneficial effects. The authors state: "Most studies reported improved cognition, mood, and balance. However, these effects were marred by the high risk of bias identified in all articles." They recommend more high quality randomized controlled trials with yoga as the treatment variable.
In summary there are numerous factors that contribute to longevity and living over 100 such as genetics. But one should not discount the importance of environmental variables such as diet, mental and physical exercise, and a stress free life. Yoga can help in these areas. The bottom line is if you can still touch your toes and hold some of the yoga poses when you are over 100, you probably still have at least a few more years to live.
Video 1. Charlotte Chopin performing yoga exercises.
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