Anonymous, Age 69
Hi-
I’m a 69 year-old southern Californian. I retired at 61 and I’m enjoying it. I did return to my old job back in 2018 to work part-time (less than 10 hours a week), which is terrific. I just do the parts of the job that I loved, so no meetings, etc. It keeps my brain sharp.
At 59, in preparation for the aging body and the loss of balance, etc, I started a regular yoga practice at a local studio. I ended up loving it and enjoyed the attention from my teachers, who pushed me to go through yoga teacher training. I put it off until I was 65, and now I have a teaching certificate. I started to sub at a local Y just before Covid hit, and haven’t been back to sub, though I could probably audition at another Y if I wanted to be held to a schedule. I have mixed feelings about that.
I also go to a gym, where, to my amazement, I still turn the heads of men in their 40s. I’m guessing it’s the same dynamic that drew my yoga teachers to me. Ha! If they knew how old I was, they’d be surprised. I thank my parents for the strong, dense muscles I inherited that keep me strong as long as I take care of them.
I’ve led yoga sessions with former colleagues for fun, and for my book club. I’ve gone on yoga retreats as far as Peru and Mallorca and as close as Santa Barbara, CA and Cabo San Lucas.
I’m mulling around the idea of teaching chair yoga to my contemporaries at a local Y, as I notice they’ll take regular yoga classes there and struggle with getting down and up from the floor. I don’t want them to hurt themselves and then give it up. I just have to decide I want to commit to a schedule.
I love seeing photos of women my age and older lifting weights, practicing power yoga, flaunting their leggings and tops, and leading others towards fitness.
The other activity that occupies me has been GOTV efforts and supporting a few local campaigns. I am so afraid of what this country will be like for my daughter and any children she may have. As a black woman, I am fearful that hysterical, racialized, hateful white people will cheat to maintain power and destroy our democracy and push to deny climate change. So I do what I can on that front.
Cheers!
good for you! keep going!
What a wonderful, positive post to start 2023!! You have such a great attitude and you have been blessed with an active body, a will to keep it that way, and many outlets for your energies. YOU GO, GIRL!!!! Hope the New Year is all that you wish for – you’re doing your best to make it happen!
Thanks! Just now noticing where the comments are. Have your best year ever!
Thanks for a very uplifting post. I am impressed with your yoga accomplishments. As a 75 year old woman I go to the gym and walk and bike ride to try to keep mobile. I have had 2 knee surgeries so getting up and down was a challenge until I asked my trainer to help me and she showed me how to easily do it. Even tho it means a schedule- teaching those basics would help lots of people. Maybe you could teach a class every once in a while.
Happy and healthy 2023.
Hello! I’m just now figuring out how to work this site, so I just noticed your post. Thanks for the tip. I’ve been thinking about making videos for those I know and then, once in the habit, perhaps volunteering for my town’s rec center services. I’ve been so spoiled by retirement and doing things when I feel like it. Cheers!