While you're struggling to do downward-facing dog and spending most of your time in the child's pose, this senior is able to cross his feet behind his head without breaking a sweat. An 84-year-old retired worker in China, Hou Zhenshan not only practices but teaches yoga in Zhangjiakou, China. Local news sources report that he has been practicing yoga for more than 30 years, which would explain his amazing agility.
Yoga is a great exercise at any age, with possible health benefits that include lower blood pressure, less stress and more flexibility. It's no surprise, then, that so many post 50s are taking it up.
Our own blogger, Phyllis Sues, took up yoga at age 80! Sues says she is able to do yoga, despite her arthritis. "Yoga gives you a life you didn't have yesterday. It's a wakeup call to every cell in your body. Every muscle sits up and pays attention. I live to do yoga and I do it to live," she said. And one of our "15 Women Over 50" participants, Susan Lyons, is becoming a yogini this year, because she finds it gives her relaxation, focus and strength.
Excuse us while we grab our yoga mats. Namaste.
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