"If I’m being honest, they teach me more than I them..."
For the past year I’ve been teaching Senior Chair Yoga for the Town of Poughkeepsie. These beautiful people are anywhere between 60 to 90 years young.
I have always been enamored with the elderly. That is thanks to my grandmother. From an early age I remember asking her questions about her perspective on life. It fascinated me, how long she lived and how much she had been through. And she loved her Center. I knew if she wasn’t home she was there. On the bench outside. With her girlfriends. Taking a Zumba class or playing Bingo.
One year later my seniors continue to amaze me with their development in mobility and mindset. They soak up everything I tell them. From tips on how to stretch to how they can bring yoga into their every day life. They love instructions on breath and energy work and soak up astrology and dharma. Just like you and me , they struggle when their goals are not immediately met. I’m certain that limiting beliefs do not come with age, it comes with attitude and mentality. Life experience might shape us but it’s that spark within certain souls that fuel development. Our bodies age, our mind are forever expanding.
I am blessed to say I have been able to be help them. And trust me , I don’t go easy on them. I don’t treat them like “old people”. In typical Nikki style, we work hard so we can rest easy. We work on strength and stillness. They tease me that they will feel it after class and I know they do. But they keep showing up. They are consistent, inspiring and so special.
Things my seniors have told me :
I was embarrassed because I struggled to get out of a chair, not anymore.
I wasn’t able to touch my toes for years …
After losing my spouse, I could not find peace of mind until you showed me meditation
I’m having an easier time getting out of bed every morning …
My chiropractor asked me what I did to even out my body … I told him Yoga baby!
If I’m being honest, they teach me more than I them. Yesterday one asked me to define manifestation. In that moment I knew I had been dreaming of this job my whole life.
Namaste,
Nikki
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