30 Days of Yoga on a high mileage frame

A Yoga starter at 57: What I feel today for having tried it.

Fellow seekers of inner peace and hip flexibility! Grab your yoga mats and join me on a humbling journey through the twisted, bendy world of yoga. I'm a 57-year-old road warrior, a survivor of cancer (and the treatments of such), a hip replacement in July 2023, decades of travel, processed foods (which I'm reducing), and a former drinker of alcohol for every occasion (now completely abstained).

It is fair to say in the relationship of mind and body, the later got the short stick. I could feel the space between my chest and knees was compacted and tense. My lower back a constant pain. Sleep was a wishful experience at times, and exercise has been a start and stop approach over the past 20 years. I wouldn’t say that I am (or was) sedentary, as I do walk my dog, Oliver, and have for 8 years of joy with him. This time provides a bit of exercise and clears a sometimes noisy brain.? However, I shouldn’t feel a decade older.

I am not a stranger to Yoga, Catherine has practiced the art since I have known her. I just thought it was time for me to take it more seriously.? Like a good Time Bandit , I added daily yoga to my habit tracker . (the later a link to a previous article on the difference in tasks and habits)

I found a good app that instructs me to do a 24–34-minute yoga session whenever I have the time. I packed a foldable mat in my bag, and I have now done sessions in hotels from Miami to Indianapolis, and of course at my home.?

Aside from the sudden outbursts in stringing cuss words together and frustrating moments, here is what I experienced.

Increased Flexibility: As someone whose bones creaked louder than an old rocking chair, the idea of becoming a yoga contortionist felt as likely as winning the lottery. But behold, after 30 days of yoga, I'm bending and twisting somewhat like a yoga master.? Well maybe an active imagination, but much better than on Day One.

Enhanced Mind-Body Connection: If my body and mind were long-lost friends, yoga was the class reunion. It's like my mind is sending postcards to my muscles, saying, "Wish you were here." With every pose, I can feel the connection strengthening, as if my body is finally getting the memo that we're in this together.

Improved Posture: Years of schlepping around suitcases left my posture resembling the Leaning Tower of Human. Enter yoga – the chiropractor without the office visit to straightened me out. Still more to do, but I can feel the steady improvement.

Positive Mental Shift: Surviving cancer and experiencing the chaos of travel and sales equipped me with resilience, but now, my energy levels are fueled by sun salutations and downward dogs. I've even started sending out good vibes as part of my daily routine, and I make a point to engage strangers when appropriate.

Mindful Eating: My diet consisted of airport snacks and processed foods. When you have a session of bending, being bloated isn’t a good approach. Yoga is transforming me into a mindful eater. While plenty of room for improvement, I do have a renewed consciousness about the input. ?

Patience and Persistence: If you'd told me a month ago that I'd be mastering the art of patience and persistence through yoga, I might've just shrugged the tense shoulders. But here I am, one wobbly step at a time, because who said yoga was all rainbows and butterflies?

Reduced Tension: My muscles used to feel like a tangled mess of knots, but slowly I am feeling a bit of relief. It isn’t something you notice jumping out of bed, but rather at various times in the day. Bending over to put the dog collar on or kneeling to tie a shoe.

Greater Body Awareness: I'm learning the language of joints, muscles, and everything in between. Turns out, my body has a lot to say when you stop and listen – even if it involves a few choice words here and there.

What’s next? So many options on the app and I am sure you can find many near you or in many different apps. I do encourage you to track your new habit if you choose to join me on this journey, a little accountability goes a long way.? And remember;

“Dripping water hollows out stone, not through force but through persistence.”?written by Publius Ovidius Naso, a Roman Poet circa 33B

There you have it – my 30-day rollercoaster into the world of yoga, with creaky bones, sore muscles, and a sprinkle of cussing for good measure. Age is just a number, but flexibility, mindfulness, and a dose of humility. Those are timeless. Namaste, my fellow yogis – let the bendy adventures continue!

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