Surrender is often the hardest spiritual practice.

We have to constantly learn to let go of things, especially as we age. This is as true in yoga as it is in life.

This is certainly something I am thinking about as I have just turned the corner on 60.

I know that I am quite strong and flexible for my age. I am fortunate that I have always been interested in being physically fit and active. That means in some ways it is easier to maintain what I already have achieved. I also started doing yoga in my 20’s when a lot of physical things were easier than they are now. And although I was not very flexible when I started, I became flexible with dedication over time. These two steps of dedication and time are important to a yoga practice no matter the age of the practitioner.

Y.S. 1.14  Sa tu dirgha kala nairantarya satkara adara asevito drdhabhumih
It is only when the correct practice is followed for a long time, without interruptions and with a quality of positive attitude and eagerness, that it can succeed.

My yoga practice was much different when I was younger. I was more interested in the physical workout than the internal one. As you can see by my quoting of the Yoga Sutras, that my interest has shifted, I am still interested in the physical practice, but I am now much more interested in the mental, emotional and spiritual practices. This is a typical pattern followed by many aging yogis before me.

My practice and even my teaching has changed as I have gotten older. Although I started off in the Iyengar tradition, I practiced and taught other forms of yoga that provided more of a workout during my 30’s and 40’s. Perhaps it was age, or maybe it was the slight physical imperfections of scoliosis combined with arthritis and injuries over years of being physically active that have impelled me to look again and return to the therapeutics of an Iyengar practice. I am less and less interested in moving fast through poses and more interested in spending time and finding balance and equanimity in the postures. I am more interested in developing my buddhi, rather than my booty. I am very interested in the benefits and subtleties subtleties of the poses, revisiting them and deepening them over time. Every pose changes over time as your body changes and your understanding, proprioception and ability changes.

I am still interested in a strong yoga practice, one designed to build strength, stamina, flexibility and equanimity. And I believe that it is possible to do so at any age, no matter if you have been doing yoga for many years, or just starting in retirement. The key to a sustainable yoga practice is working with what you have, being dedicated to practicing, keeping curious about what you might be able to do, being patient with your progress and moving step by step.

I'll see you on your mat!