Dear Ones,

Yoga in the west is thought of mostly as a form of physical exercise, however, it’s effects reach deep within although one of the greatest ways of seeing the effects of Iyengar Yoga is with the physical body. Pictured above is Senior Advanced Teacher of Iyengar Yoga Patricia Walden. She is one of two North American teachers to hold the highest certification in Iyengar Yoga. Looking at her body how old do you think she is? What if I told you she was in her early 70’s? Would you believe me? What if I told you she was doing a variety of backbends in this demonstration that would leave your mouth agape? All things that society tells us are not possible with aging.

Last month I had the honor to attend the 2016 Iyengar Yoga Convention in Boca Raton. A majority of practicioners and teachers where well over 50. I must say I was quite suprised. In the glamour world of yoga all you see if fit, slender, bodies wearing expensive yoga gear in pretzel twisting poses and here were hundreds of older practicioners doing all the poses including 10 minute head balance. It begs for us as westerners to relook at the face of yoga and realize yoga is for all ages and bodies. However that being said no other style of yoga really offer a clear path to yoga for a lifetime like Iyengar yoga. Why? Well the systematic approach Mr. Iyengar has left us with is specifically to unlock the body and reorganize it. The method works for all ages and all issues.

At the convention I was stunned looking at these senior citizens bodies. Their legs were strong and the skin on their bodies was taut. No sagging and wrinkling! Lois Steinberg, another incredible teacher and yoga therapeutics specialist said that when she watched Guruji (B.K.S Iyengar) practice his skin was supple like a babies. She was speaking of him in his 90’s. Can you imagine? The practice of Iyengar Yoga deaging you?

Well it is true. This is a great comfort to me as I grow older knowing I will in no way change my body or use Botox or plastic surgery to try to remain young. I will do my practice and age gracefully. Iyengar yoga is so much more than just a way to keep from aging and degenerating but who doesn’t want to age gracefully?

For those who do we hope you will join our community at ZOE Yoga Lifestyle in Tampa Heights, Tampa FL. ZOE is a boutique yoga center specializing in Iyengar/Alignment Based Yoga,rehabilitation, movment reeducation and stress relief through personalized private sessions and group classes. Come see what Iyengar Yoga can do for you.

Written by Owner of ZYL, Dina Georgoulis