My body was made to move!

Yesterday, at the conclusion of an energizing, vigorous yoga class, I had a conversation with a yoga teacher who had practiced beside me during the class. I have attended one of her classes, and found it to be very gentle and slow, the opposite of the class I typically like. I had found myself becoming impatient with the pace, and then I decided to be present and focus on that class only and make no comparisons or judgement with any other. I settled into the moment, and found that it created a balance for me as the beauty of the difference was revealed. It turned out to be just what my body, and perhaps my mind and spirit, needed that day.

As we conversed yesterday, she invited me to her next yoga class, observing that while I clearly like a powerful type of yoga, as we age we need to do slow down and do less of this and more of the gentle type. Indeed she was adamant that I should be doing the gentler yoga at least three times per week, constantly emphasising what happens to the body as we age.

“This is a marathon runner you are speaking to” I said at one point. At which she rolled her eyes heavenward. “All that too” she uttered, continuing to reinforce her point about the body naturally slowing down, getting tighter and weaker and being more limited.

I was mortified! For I so enjoy my yoga classes, and love the progress I am making as I become more open, flexible and stronger. I love the challenge of finally being able to do an asana that months before I could not. I love the challenge of just letting go and trying it – even if I can only hold the pose for a millisecond, there is such a feeling of triumph. I have been known to squeal childlike “I did it” upon finally getting into a pose that has hitherto been a challenge. Every yoga class, every new pose is a reminder that I can do whatever I want to do, if only I release the limitations set by my mind. For the apparent difficulties of a pose are much more about my mind thinking it is difficult rather than a physical limitation.

I also recalled my role models who continue to honour their bodies and defy our perception of aging. My own mother was my yoga heroine – until she was 88 years old she could do a 1 ½ yoga class, sun salutations and all. A framed newspaper article showing a photograph of her sitting in a meditative cross-legged posture in a yoga class holds pride of place in the photo gallery in my home. Just last December, I connected again with two gentlemen in their ‘80s, Burt Carlson and Roy Thomas who complete the Reggae Marathon each year. Last month Burt completed his 301st marathon and Roy took nearly 30 minutes off his time over the previous year! When you speak to these men you feel their vitality and joy at being alive, active and nudging their bodies beyond the societal perception of what a body can and should do.

I will continue my power yoga, with a gentler class now and then as I am so moved. I will continue to run, swim, jump, cycle, climb and dance. God gave me the gift of this magnificent body that is made to move! It is my duty to express the joy of movement with no limitations – save the inner listening that tells me what I need to know and do to honour and care for this temple.