Have you ever thought about trying yoga, but balked at the prospect of being the oldest beginner on the planet? My mother, age 79, asked me recently if I thought she could learn.

Have you ever tried it? I asked.

Well, once I was invited to, but all that spiritual stuff spooked me. You know, well, it was the Sixties!

Now that I’m nearing sixty myself, I know what she means about the mind being willing but the flesh a bit weak. Yoga has its own language and slightly mysterious ways and, let’s face it, not all of us are eager to learn “The Corpse” pose any sooner than necessary.

Are You Dubious about “Downward Dog”?

Like my sister, Jenny, who stayed with us last month. (You can read about her and the rest of my boomer siblings in my post about Milestone Birthdays here.) Brainy lives in the frozen north far from Starbucks, nail salons and yoga studios. She has spent the last six months getting used to the replacement parts in her right knee.

I can understand why she was cautious. For those who have never donned a pair of black stretchy black yoga pants and hoisted their heinies, it can be intimidating to make a start.

So, if you are wondering if 50, 60, or over 70 is too old to start yoga, the answer is NO.

Develop Your Yen for Iyengar

The patron saint of yoga for the not-so-young is an Indian man named B.K.S. Inyengar.  He’s still alive and kicking in his nineties teaching, learning and loving yoga. You can see it in his warm-hearted smile and hear it in this NPR Morning Edition interview in 2005.

Iyengar developed his form of ancient yoga practices to recover from his own tuberculosis. He wrote all about it in his accidental bestseller, Light on Yoga.

He practically created the art of moving slowly and deliberately into postures with cushions, bolsters, blocks and belts to help along the way. You know, kind of like the way you scrunch pillows and blankets to make yourself comfortable to get a night’s sleep when your hip hurts.

Think of what it might mean to use yoga to relieve everything from menopause to migraines or indigestion to back ache. Iyengar has perfected sequences of different body positions, called asanas or poses, which help alleviate pain and improve specific health conditions.

Your Best Defense is a Good Offense

If you’re still wary, here are some excuses that I used for years to avoid getting started. You’re welcome to try out ones that work for you. But I’m warning you, their logic is full of holes.  For example,

1.     I’m too old…you’ll get no traction there, many people practice from early childhood until well into their nineties. Nice try though.

2.     It’s a religion…well, I’ve heard that there are so-called Christian Yoga sessions, but it’s a moot point. Yoga is a philosophy, a daily practice, a way of life. You don’t need to be a Buddhist to bend and stretch like one.

3.     It’s just a fad… one that’s lasted for thousands of years. Longer even than Jack LaLanne. It will no doubt still be here when you make up your mind to try it.

4.     I’m afraid of looking foolish…worrying about what others think is very human but not very useful. Keep in mind that they’re more likely to be thinking about how they’re doing.

5.     I’m not that flexible…it takes time and gentleness, like shaping wood into the form of a violin, to get some bend in your body.

6.     I’ve had injuries…whether it’s a hip replacement, knee surgery or sore shoulder; there are adaptations that a well-trained and sympathetic instructor will advise to protect your joints.

7.     I can’t get down on the floor… you can do yoga in a chair, on a plane, on your bed, on your head. (See Carol Dickman’s “anywhere yoga stretches” instruction here.)

8.     I’m asthmatic…gasp! A little attention to deep and regular breathing will do no harm.

9.     I don’t understand the lingo…almost all yoga poses have Sanskrit and Plain English names that are used interchangeably by less fussy instructors.

10. I need my music…park your iTunes for a few minutes and listen to the (metaphorical) Sounds of Silence.

11. It’s not much of a work out…anyone who has survived a long series of sweaty Sun Salutations would disagree with you there. Yoga involves lifting and balancing your own body weight, which builds core strength and improves balance. (May even prevent Falling Down.)

12. I’m a competitive type…like a golfer, runner, or swimmer; in yoga you basically compete for your personal best. Getting stronger and healthier is the only goal that matters.

13. I don’t look right…nonsense. No one is too fat, too thin, too short or too tall, too muscular or too much of a string bean. If you’re not ready for that cute little yoga outfit from Target, wear your oldest sweats and get loose. Looking good is secondary to feeling better.

So what’s your favorite excuse? Let me know if I missed any.

If you’re interested, I’ll write more about How Not to Suck at Yoga.

Tags: baby boomer, brain, falling down, fears, milestones, whole body