online yoga forum

I've recently started ashtanga having studied a hatha vinyasa practice for many years. I'm in my late 50's and I wondered if I was too 'old' to start a new style . I have been reading quite a bit about David Swenson who I really admire and he writes that there is a great benefit to age, and that is maturity! Also there is an understanding of what we can and cannot do (sometimes the head is there but the body just won't follow!) So if there is anyone else out there who is in their later years, and thinks that they can't start a dynamic practice like ashtanga, then think again.

David writes...'whether you practice the Full Primary Series or not does not matter. The real depth of yoga is determined by the focus and intent of the practitioner and not the particular asana or Series that is being done'. I really agree with this statement, has anyone else got a view?

I agree 100%.

half the reason we do asanas is because they wake the mind & body up. you have to pay attention, or else you'll fall over or something!

so for some old week people, just standing up & raising your arms over your head for a bit while standing on one leg might be enough to stretch out their bodies & do the trick.

but for other people like me, to push myself I crank up & heat & do the hot yoga just because I like making things as hard as I can.

I think everyone has a different body so you need to do the yoga that matches up with your own body.

that said try the new yoga! never be scared to try something

Look I do agree here, the intent is everything. However, as a general thought also think that most people who are getting on in years start to look for different things from their practice. They might not want to have such a physical practice as ashtanga, from my experience they generally are looking to do more with less. Therefore they focus more on pranayama, meditation and the like. My teacher took up ashtanga at 50 having practiced dynamic hatha for years, but even he says that they old body doesn't keep up as well as it once did , and that the practice that he does is slower, more mindful. I guess as David suggests, he's more focused it's 'intent' than before. With age comes wisdom

Bananarama had it right.......
"it ain't what you do, it's the way that you do it
that's what gets results"

Attitude is everything, and wisdom/maturity can make it easier to get the attitude (or focus and intent) right.

In the east traditionally in younger years one practiced almost all asana and a little pranayama. Into middle age it was 1/2 asana, 1/4 pranayama, 1/4 meditation, and into maturity/old age almost no asana and 1/2 pranayama, 1/2 meditation.
So we all seem to agree with David
T/boy

__________________
Qi Yoga

Qi yoga has hit the nail on the head for me.

Acording to Ayavada when we are young we are in our kapha stage of life. kids are always moving around with heaps of energy, always using their bodies.
During the middle stages of life (pitta) we use our knowledge to understand the world around us, taking on careers, familes all intence stages of development.
During the later stages our bodies slow down, dry out (Vata). During this stage wisdom is the driving force. Maturity and understanding about life has take form and there is little else to do than to reap the benefits.
Therfore it makes sence that kids like yoga to be active and fun, Mid life there is an intensity to a practice with time to explore all experiences. LAter life takes on a quite medative approach.
These ideas can be aplied to general 'styles' of yoga.
If your body and mind are wanting a change and it works for a time then it should be explored. However, if an approach such as ashtanga is taken because it is trendy and you body is less active, then what benefits would one be getting on and off the mat from that style of yoga?
Always tune into your inner self and you will find your own answers.

Well said Sarah. I agree too.

Actually I spoke with a friend of mind about this the other day. She doesn't practice ashtanga any more as she says that she doesn't want the body of a boy in her late 30's (she's naturally a bit of a thin snake hips sort of gal). I thought that was a pretty cool thing to say. She clearly knows what the practice does for her physically and she's not looking for that from it any more.