I attended a senior yoga class at the West Hawaii Civic Center in Kona, Hawaii, taught by Andrea Hutchens. Afterwards, I asked students for a few comments about their experiences of yoga and aging. In just a few minutes, I heard enough to affirm, once again, that the ancient discipline and practice of yoga changes lives.
It doesn’t happen in an instant, and the change isn’t easy or predictable. One student said, “I was 58 when I started, but I really wish I would have known about it and started when I was a kid. I think Kaiser should have a program. I think it should be in all schools”
She went on to explain why she started yoga and what it’s done for her. I’m saving it for a later piece on yoga and aging. But the important point for seniors, is that it’s never to late to start something that treats mind, body, and soul without relying upon medication.
And when it comes to finding new ways to cope in a world that’s increasingly distressed and dangerous, yoga is a good place to start a quality of life change no matter how many years we have lived.