With luck, most of us will experience old age. With lots of luck—and likely lots of purposeful health decisions—we’ll experience a vibrant old age.

According to the United Nations, the number of people worldwide aged 60 or over has doubled in the last 30 years; those older than 65 will outnumber those under 18 by 2080. As the organization explains,

“A longer life brings with it opportunities, not only for older people and their families, but also for societies as a whole. Additional years provide the chance to pursue new activities such as further education, a new career or pursuing a long neglected passion. Older people also contribute in many ways to their families and communities. Yet the extent of these opportunities and contributions depends heavily on one factor: health.”

The UN designates October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons. In celebration, take a look at how older folks can safely practice yoga in “A key to aging gracefully?” from IAYT-certified yoga therapists Carol Krucoff and Kimberly Carson. You can also explore a few of the many studies on yoga and healthy aging on our Research page.