We have all seen the toned yoga bodies on social media and thought, “well that’s just not me. I’m 59, not toned have an allergy to gyms and a spine that just says ‘NO” after years of nursing.Two years ago I developed a painful right hip and a friend encourage me to join her for a drop in Saturday morning beginners yoga session at Manor Farm. I thought, why not give it a try and I can honestly say it has been one of the most important decisions I have made not only for my physical wellbeing but also my mental wellbeing.Within a month I was downward dogging with the rest, my pigeon was well and truly stretched out and my back had never felt better. In fact, I was slowly becoming hooked. Soon I was doing three lessons a week and had set up a little space at home which was calm, relaxing and somewhere where in the middle of the night with excruciating back ache I could go and deep breath, stretch and twist until everything settled.After each session I felt that I had given my body a treat. My hip pain was not improving when I walked but after yoga, I would have 30 minutes or so pain free. As my enjoyment grew, I took the bold step to go on my own to one of Lisa’s retreats and had such a great time. Made friends, experienced new types of yoga, relaxed with a massage and immersed myself in a sound bath.
So, a year and a half on I am still hooked on my yoga, last week I had a hip replacement, unfortunately no amount of yoga could have stopped the ravages of osteoarthritis but what yoga has ensured is that pre surgery the flexibility and strength of my hip cold not have been any better. So, I’m counting the days till I can return to my mat, in that beautiful studio, with friends who make no judgements to give my body and mind the care it deserves.
So, my piece of advice is that you are never too old or too stiff to start yoga. Just give it a go and surprise yourself.