Yoga on the Beach

Multi-generational Yoga

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009

This morning I looked at the group that had gathered for Yoga class and smiled.  Sitting in front of me were 20 students, ages 4 to 70 something.  The four year olds were accompanied by their mother (with Dad and Grandma in the wings), while the rest of the students were in their 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s!  What a wide age group, and then we began the class. 

What a joy it is to see chronological age melt away when the meditation began.  In the stillness an element of time shifted where a 4 year old squirming rippled through people of all ages.  A peaceful ‘Buddha’ stillness came over the 70 year old and a 4 year old. 

As we began to move through the asanas chronological age again disappeared as it no longer had relevance.  Yoga instills a sense of agelessness in us, as we move our bodies in and out of the postures.  For those who live a high stress life, their bodies show it regardless of age.  For those who believe in their personal freedom it shows itself at any age, as they move their bodies easily, gracefully.

The 4 year olds lasted a whopping 45 minutes before Grandma and Dad took them off to play in another way.  It was a pleasure to practice with them, and all of the 4 year olds at heart this morning!