Bending Time: Yoga, Aging, and Keeping It Together
Bending Time: Yoga, Aging, and Keeping It Together
30 years ago I stepped foot into a yoga studio for the very first time. The year was 1994 and I was 17-years old. My friends and I were wannabe hippies (born 30 years too late, much to our dismay) and yoga was increasingly becoming more mainstream. So we nervously signed up for a class, having no idea what to expect. When we walked into the studio the fragrant nag champa burning and low lighting made the room feel so inviting and cozy, and the teacher was so kind and inclusive. I think she thought it was so adorable that these awkward teens were trying something new. I immediately felt at ease.
At the time I was grappling with some tough challenges, yet during those 90 minutes on the mat the emotional chaos swirling around me seemed to magically quiet down and I found moments of peace and tranquility. After that, despite my extremely awkward asanas and my chattering mind during savasana, I was totally hooked.
Fast forward 30 years (how did that happen?!) and yoga remains my constant companion, just as it did all those years ago. But now, it's about so much more than physical poses. Yoga has become a practice of embracing my body's evolution, of honoring the wisdom that comes with age. Remembering how awkward I felt in my body as a teenager with all the changes it goes through, I realize I'm in a similar place as my body evolves into middle age. But now I have the perspective to understand that this is my one body that is amazing and I'm so grateful for it. And despite living in a youth-obsessed culture, I've come to embrace the knowledge that aging isn't a burden to bear but an absolute privilege. With each passing year, my body changes, my needs shift, but my practice continues to offer me the same grounding and clarity it did when I was that gawky teenager. The beauty of yoga is that it grows with us, adapting to where we are - whether we're healing from trauma, navigating life's transitions, or simply learning to accept and love ourselves more deeply.
In my 40s, yoga has become a celebration of my body's strength, resilience, and wisdom. It's no longer about pushing myself to achieve the "perfect" pose but about honoring where I am today, with gratitude for all that I've experienced. Every time I step onto the mat, I am reminded that aging is not something to fear or resist - it is a gift. It's an honor to witness the changes in my body and mind and to continue nurturing them with mindfulness and care. Yoga teaches me that each stage of life holds its own beauty, and it's through the practice of presence that I continue to find peace, power, and grace, no matter my age.
Down dog in a slot canyon!
Zion National Park, Utah November 2024