It's May!!!

May is my favorite month of the year! It is a month of birthdays. In my family we begin our May birthdays at the end of April and, in fact, it is a birthday month that lasts for about 6 weeks. A special shout out to everyone who has a birthday coming up this month. Everyone celebrate! Yeah!

The birthday discussion is my segue into this conversation about yoga and aging.

Yoga and Aging

It is a fact of living. We age.

From the day we are born, the aging process begins. The younger amongst us continue their exponential growth until we hit our peak years. It is in the later stages of the human life cycle that the aging process begins to decline. Yet we continue to have the ability to grow our brains and strengthen our muscles as we age. The difference is just that it takes a little longer and more work to achieve these goals as we grow older.

As I age, I find that it is really true: There is no fighting father time! Yet I can maintain and embrace what is already here and make the most of the present circumstance at the present time in my life.

The solution is to keep moving and growing your body and mind. Keep moving forward.

For your mind, play word games (Wordle anyone?) Learn a new language, meditate, do yoga.

For your body: dance, play pickleball, tennis, soccer, workout at a gym, do yoga.

Pick at least one from each list. It's no accident that yoga is in both lists. That's the all-inclusive plan for me! (I'm also learning a new language.)

Yoga as a Life-Long Practice

Practicing yoga encompasses mind, body and spirit. The beauty of this practice is that you can continue to do it as you age. Yes, yoga is a life-time practice. There are yogis alive today who are in their second century of life and still teaching and doing yoga (Forbes). Yoga movement is all about making modifications match to what fits to that body and that mind at that moment.

We may have to make modifications slowly but surely as we age. Sometimes these modifications can be temporary until the body recovers from whatever. Nevertheless, it is all about making the optimal modifications for your particular body.

Some people may be able to do four-legged staff pose chaturanga dandasana for the rest of their lives, while others make modifications depending on their own needs. A good yoga teacher will suggest modifications for your particular needs. Whether it is because of your age, an injury or something else.

Gayle Parker, 75, a psychologist and yoga teacher, has modified her 50 year yoga practice because she can no longer do chaturanga due to the stress on her shoulders. Dr. Parker continues to do all the other pieces of vinyasa and continues a rather rigorous practice for someone of her age. You make your own norms as you age.

Parker says, "Like everything in yoga, it involves finding balance. The older I get, the more of myself I become. That’s the beauty of being my age: You continue to step into being more and more of who you are. (Yoga Journal, 2021)”

The Gift of Private Yoga Lessons for Mother's Day

I have a Mother's Day Special happening right now. Buy a private BOGO lesson for your Mom. This gift is flexible in that you can give your Mom two lessons for the price of one; or you and your Mom (or friend/other) can share a private lesson together.

Ongoing Offerings

Yoga nidra classes continue online at 7:30 ET Monday nights. Join me tonight for a beautiful relaxing journey that will help you to heal, relax, and de-stress for an hour.

Meditation & Yoga for Organizations

Using yoga and meditation techniques, I am available to support an organization's institutional mission and values tailored to the needs of employees. Meditation and yogic exercise have been shown to promote wellness that boosts employee morale, effectiveness, and productivity (Sheelu, Garg, & Rastogi, 2022). If you know someone who may be interested in setting up a meditation or yoga class for a retreat or as a regular amenity or employee benefit in their organization please forward this link to them.

Private Lessons

I continue my availability for face-to-face or online meditation and yoga private lessons. Contact me via text/cell 808-263-9792 or email proftenzer@gmail.com

Resources:

How Dr. Gail Parker Embraces Life at Every Stage - Yoga Journal. (2021, April 23). Yoga Journal; Outside Interactive Inc. https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/golden-age-doctor-gail-parker/

Forbes Magazine: Meet the Oldest Yoga Teacher in the World, a 100-Year-Old Former Actress and Model Who Says 'There's Nothing You Can't Do'