This is a note from a friend, who has practised Ashtanga Yoga from the age of 55 to her current age of 72: Let’s start from the very beginning. I took my first Ashtanga yoga class with Derek Ireland in London in 1996 at the age of 55. I was hooked instantly. At the time, I was working for the US government as a nurse and a social worker and running a lot. I had been interested in yoga since my early twenties, and had read many books on the subject, but there were not very many classes back then. After that first class, I continued to work for the US government, but I had a longing to experience this practice more. I decided to go to Crete, Greece to learn more with Derek Ireland, and later I went to Kovalam, India to practice with authorized and certified teachers. I was too afraid to go to Mysore. Finally, I took the plunge and in 1999, I went to the source to study with Guruji for the first time accompanied by my daughter. I was 58 years old. Since then, I haven’t stopped going to the source. At the ripe, old age of 72, I am now preparing to go on my 12th trip this year. Why am I so passionate about this practice? Because I experienced immediate benefits. On a purely physical level, I felt in touch with my body and experienced increased energy levels. After years of running and at my “advanced” age, I was able to straighten my legs for the first time in years and get into padmasana. Even more incredibly, I could just about drop back and catch my heels with Sharath’s help. I knew that this practice worked. As we age, our bodies are set in habitual patterns of tension. Years of working as a nurse, working on a thesis for a master’s degree in sociology, and being a wife and mother, along with my passion for running, had taken their toll. My hips and hamstrings were incredibly tight, not to mention that the area of my neck, shoulders and upper back was beginning to show the dowager’s hump of aging. It has taken many, many years of continued and dedicated practice to undo the toll of the stresses and strains of modern life that accumulate in the body. Over time, with a daily practice, muscles, tendons, and ligaments start to respond and changes, albeit small, become noticeable. Ones energy for productive work is increased, and one experiences a general sense of wellbeing as the magic of the practice unfolds. I was authorized to teach in 2004 by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois after completing the Primary Series. I established a small self-practice group in London which sustained itself for ten years. During that time I practiced the Intermediate Series with Hamish Hendry and Sharath Jois, and was authorized to teach the first half of Intermediate by Sharath Jois. As I am in my early seventies now, the body starts to change again and one must adapt to the vicissitudes of aging. I cannot always jump back, instead I walk back for the first few sun salutations and vinyasas between postures. I become aware of alignment as I slow down, and very aware of body parts that need attention or healing. I may not want to do all of Primary. Yet asanas that I used to find challenging are becoming easy, less of a challenge, as a result of a sustained practice. I have had my fair share of injuries. My intuition tells me that injuries manifest themselves because of weakness or wrongdoing. It is still vital to be on the mat and modify the practice accordingly, as injuries do heal with time if we listen to the body and the necessary adjustments are made. Dietary habits change slowly over the years. The practice will let you know what foods your body needs and how much. It is very subtle and takes time. Personally, I have found working with Ayurvedic dietary principles very useful. The benefits accrued from a daily practice are many and these are the ones that I have experienced: •Dedication to the practice. •Increased self-discipline. •My head is clear and I am much more even-tempered, as one can feel more vulnerable physically and emotionally with increasing age. •You eat more consciously. •Experience sustained energy. I am still teaching 5-7 classes a week, and enjoy teaching. •On the physical side increased circulation throughout the body keeps stiffness away, which is one of the vicissitudes of aging, as well as maintaining balance, physically and emotionally •Bone strength is good. I attribute that to sun salutations and standing postures. •I take no medications. Blood pressure is normal, and I have never been hospitalized. •The practice also tells me when I have done too much and it is time to back off or take a rest day. The most important evolution for me has been to understand the significance of the breath, the bandhas, and the drishtis. The practice results in core strength, vitality, and the immeasurable wealth that is good health. As we age, the practice helps one to maintain integrity, physically, emotionally, and mentally. One never stops learning and doing. Lynne PInette is a Level 2 Authorized Ashtanga Yoga Teacher who lives in London, England. She is an inspiration to all of us. Her contact information is listed in the Teachers Directory of the KPJAYI website (kpjayi.org).
Posted on: Fri, 13 Jun 2014 01:42:16 +0000
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