Age is just a number: Why it's never too late to start yoga

I’d like to share a beautiful memory that truly captures the heart of yoga. It’s one I’ll always cherish, and one that I hope brings a smile to your face, reminding you of the simple, profound beauty of this practice.

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My nan was a big part of my life and on her 94th birthday (8^th May 2024) I found myself teaching her, her first-ever yoga lesson! She had been feeling unwell, so as she rested in her chair, my mum and I had sat practicing some calming breathwork, having a moment of peace in the chaos that was life.

A Heartfelt Connection

As my nan stirred, she was curious. She wanted to know what we were doing and she became very aware and very interested. I offered a teaching and we began opening and closing our hands, like the petals of a flower to the rhythm of her breath. Breathing in as the petals expanded and opened, breathing out as they closed. She imagined the colour red, no flower, just the colour itself. She looked so relaxed and completely in the moment.

She was intrigued by the feeling that this breathwork gave her and so she asked, “What else do we do” and we moved on to some very gentle movements – working through the head, neck, shoulders, hands, fingers, feet and toes. After just 15 minutes she was feeling pretty good. We ended the practice with hands in Anjali Mudra placed over the heart and said “Namaste, the light within me sees the light within you” and she smiled and said, “Oh, well that’s lovely”.

Yoga’s Gentle Touch

Who would have thought my nan would be taught her first yoga lesson on her 94th birthday?

Later that evening, while my sister helped her to bed, my nan—whose memory had been fading—turned to my sister and said, “We did the flower breathing. How lovely.”

Have you ever considered how starting yoga, no matter your age, could transform your life?

And in those few moments of yoga, a beautiful memory was created and one that I will never forget for so many reasons. The essence of yoga carried that moment – we were present, we were connected, we were at one with ourselves and each other, we were grateful and it flowed without force, just as it needed to. Beautiful.

The Lasting Gift of Yoga

My nan was shortly after taken to hospital and there was a patient on her ward who was struggling. Despite her condition, she somehow managed to get out of bed to comfort the woman, tapping hand and saying “There, there. We have to be strong. Just focus on your breathing and open and close your hands like this”. Together they laughed, lifting the mood and sharing that simple, present moment.

My nan came home soon after for palliative care, and one day, while sitting beside her, I shared with her how I had taught chair yoga that morning. I’d told my class about her birthday yoga and how her simple practice had reached someone else in the hospital. As I spoke, my nan, still mostly asleep, opened one eye, and with a small smile, began opening and closing her hand like a flower bud, just as we had done. She’d heard me, and she remembered. It was truly beautiful.

It’s amazing how small gestures in yoga can make such a big impact. Whether directly or indirectly, they touch the hearts of those around us. For me, as a teacher, it’s a gift I’ll carry with me forever.

I will always be grateful for the time spent practicing yoga with my nan—a memory that will never be forgotten and a reminder that no matter your age or ability, it’s never too late to start.