Yuyou: Wherever I go, I carry the yoga mat on my back

I didn't know what yoga was before, but I had a sense of mystery about it. I always thought that practicing yoga was a matter for young people and had no place for the elderly.

In July 2005, we enrolled students in a yoga studio in Tiantongyuan Community in Beijing. Before formal registration, they could experience it several times for free. So I walked into the yoga studio with curiosity (give it a try) and followed the teacher to experience it.

Through several experiential exercises, I feel that yoga movements are elegant and light, slow, and breathing naturally. It is a safe and both internal and external exercise. For the elderly, it can also improve the flexibility of various parts of the body, restore body functions, and promote the smoothness of qi and blood. As long as you choose the appropriate yoga posture according to your physical condition, cooperate with your breathing, and stretch it within your own limits. This kind of self-cultivation exercise can be participated in by all men, women and old. Over time, I fell in love with yoga, fell in love with yoga, and I couldn't live without it all day.

Entering a yoga studio is a good way to practice yoga, but it costs a lot and will increase the financial burden. So I chose to teach myself and practice myself.

I bought some yoga books and CDs and learned while reading. Because we are self-taught and self-practiced, we can flexibly control the time and venue. When the weather is warm, I practice outdoors to blend in with nature; when the weather is cold, I practice at home, and the lobby is used as a gym.

Since 2002, I have been subscribing to "China Health Care" magazine for a long time, which is equivalent to inviting health care experts home. This magazine also often publishes articles on yoga, especially since the sixth issue of 2006, it has continuously published Teacher Chen Yutong's "Yoga Fitness Series", which elaborates on the true meaning of yoga in theory and practice and is easy to understand. Moreover, each issue has an "Introduction to Classic Yoga Postures (one move per month)". These are all good yoga materials.

I have been practicing yoga since I was 70 years old, and now I have been practicing for two and a half years. When I started practicing, my joints ached, and I will grit my teeth and not give in until I am satisfied. When practicing lotus sitting, I couldn't put my legs together and my joints were heart-piercing. I once thought of giving up and thought that I would just not practice this position when I was old. Later, when I thought that I must persist, I slowly moved my feet onto my thighs and moved them every day to make progress every day. It was finally moved up on the fifth day, but it couldn't stop for a second. But I am still very happy that I finally moved in. From the first few seconds to one minute, then to five minutes... Now you can sit in the lotus seat for 20 minutes, which is the result of persisting without giving up-persisting brings happiness, and from happiness you can continue to persist.

Now practicing yoga has become an important part of my elderly life, and I can't do without it every day. Whether traveling or visiting relatives or friends, I carry my yoga mat wherever I go. After two and a half years of yoga practice, my limbs and joints have become flexible, their flexibility has increased, and my general movements can stretch freely. Now I walk lightly and have full of energy. Last May Day, I easily climbed Langya Mountain. The biggest realization is that when you have a peace of mind, you can be open and let go of some things, so that your soul will always be in a carefree state. (Editor in charge: Teng Yun)