Yoga over 65

Of course I also feel at least 20 years younger. But I'm no longer 40. I'm constantly being nudged in the nose. The feeling is deceptive.

What has changed?

1. the first thing is my diet. If I had continued to eat the same as I did at 50, I would be a lot heavier now. The body needs fewer kcal as you get older. This means that if you want to keep the weight off, you have to eat even more intelligently. And you also have to eat less. I've been skipping breakfast for a while now. That was easy for me. After reading that the boss of Kellogg's Cornflakes spent a lot of money on advertising in the 1950s to position breakfast as the most important meal, I realized that we are still influenced by this advertising today. The word breakfast in German means 'an early piece'. In English it means 'break a fast'. You don't fill your stomach after a fast. In French it's called ‘petit dejeuner’, which translates as a small meal. I can quite happily do without it. It's a simple way for me to go without a good 300 kcal.

My first meal is lunch, and I usually cook it myself. That way I can cook smaller portions. I make sure I eat raw food (like salad) and enough protein. Lunch is the main meal. I am convinced that OMAD (one meal a day) is the best thing for people over 65. You just have to get used to it.

2. if you don't do strength training, your muscles will turn into fat when you are over 60 (at the latest). Many people don't care about that. But it would be good if they took care of it. Less strength also means less quality of life. At some point, walking becomes difficult. You can no longer climb the stairs. You can no longer carry your suitcase, so you stay at home ...... Strength training helps you to take an active part in life.

3. injuries heal more slowly. I currently have an injury in my left hip. It's probably a strain. I've been carrying this injury around with me for a few weeks now. You have to be patient. The best way to prevent injuries is to train mindfully every day.

4 It takes longer to learn new asanas. It takes longer to develop strength than it used to. The body also stretches more slowly.

There are certainly many other things that have changed over time. The above are the most obvious.

The background feeling is gratitude. Gratitude that I can still do all this. Frustration, ambition, doubt, etc. are also experienced. But the feeling of gratitude always resonates. Who can do a headstand at 65?

It's great to have found something that has been with me for most of my life and that I can turn to again and again. Yoga gives me strength, no matter how old I am.

Even at over 65, you can test your limits and grow beyond them.

I hope to be able to practise yoga for many more decades.

I guess you have to become more patient as you get older. But you don't have to stop being active and setting yourself ambitious goals.

Keep practicing.