Problems of Old Age
Though the old age is an inevitable factor, one cannot accept it easily. It is only a "Vivekin" (wise persons) who knows that old age is not a disease but a natural phenomena and therefore cannot be reversed and refused. Very few people make use of this phase of life in a fruitful way. It is an art to check the aging process, to stop its ascendants, one should learn to make old age a useful weapon. In this stage of life, one becomes negative. Courage starts declining and intelligence becomes dull. Anxiety encircles them. Laziness becomes a part of old age.
Some in old age realise the importance of yoga and come for help. They have not done any yogic practice before and want to learn and do something; yet they are unable to do. At that state, the profound utility of props and their values are realized. Even incapable persons will find hope of doing something to keep life flowing with joy.
The students who come late in their life to the Institute get the advantage of keeping themselves fit physically and mentally through props. We hear laughing jokes of Guruji, do Setubandha Sarvāngāsana on bench and the Viparītakaraṇī on bolster and postpone your death by another few years. "Yamadharmarāja (Lord of Death) dear not touch you as long as you are in the āsana", thunders Guruji.
The Viparīta Dandasana beach, Simhāsana, Setubandha benches are useful in old age as people at that age cannot do independently nor able to exert. Props frees the doer from anxiety. Practice on props lead one towards non-attachment of body. The brain calms down and sound sleep (a dream for old people) comes naturally through props.
...There is no method in the world which brings action and relaxation simultaneously except yoga through props.
Yoga through props activate the muscles and take away undue tensions....
Excerpt from 70 Glorious Years of Yogacharya BKS Iyengar - Commemorative volume.