Downward Facing Old Dog

Source: Prostock-studio/Shutterstock

A mind free from all disturbances is Yoga. —Patanjali

During numerous counseling sessions I’ve heard the phrase, “I tried yoga once.” As the discussion moves further it becomes clear that in almost every case the person is talking about Asanas, the practice of body postures. The reason I know this is in our discussions there usually follows a brief description of their inability to strike this or that pose, or some expression of discomfort with being around other people for whom “downward dog” seems second nature.

While the benefits of yoga are well documented, many who talk about yoga as a beneficial practice are either unaware, or have only a minor sense, that yoga is actually made up of various practices. I think it would surprise many that the body postures, or as one client put it, “Making myself into a pretzel,” is only one of eight “limbs” of the ancient method of self-realization.

The good news for those of us whose bodies are no longer flexible or who have a body-image issue that prevents them from embracing the latest yoga pants, there are other means for reaping the benefits of a yoga-inspired life.

A quick history lesson: The foundation for modern yoga practices was laid down around the year 200 A.D. in the text of Patanjali, the Yoga Sutras. In it he described the 8 limbs of yoga:

1. Yama—Universal morality
2. Niyama—Personal observances
3. Asanas—Body postures
4. Pranayama—Breathing exercises, and control of prana
5. Pratyahara—Control of the senses
6. Dharana—Concentration and cultivating inner perceptual awareness
7. Dhyana—Devotion; meditation on the divine
8. Samadhi—Union with the divine

As you can see, the use of body movement is only one the 8 limbs. I would humbly suggest a 9th limb: aging. To understand why, we must look at what yoga means and its aim. The word yoga comes from the root word yog which literally means “to join.” There are, even within yogic circles, varying descriptions of what it is that is being united. Some say it’s the higher self with the lower self, others the body with the mind, and for others it means joining a fitness club and giving their karma a good workout.

For the purposes of understand aging yoga, I prefer the following from Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj: All that lives, works for protecting, perpetuating and expanding consciousness. This is the world's sole meaning and purpose. It is the very essence of Yoga—ever raising the level of consciousness, discovery of new dimensions, with their properties, qualities and powers. In that sense, the entire universe becomes a school of Yoga.

The goal is for one’s current level of consciousness, wrapped up in mind-stuff, filled with fears and desires, to give way to higher levels. With this expansion comes the realization that it’s the fragmentation of both the world and the self that causes suffering.

Which leads us back to growing older as a yogic practice. Because we are all aging, we are all yogis in hiding. Behind the curtain of the mind, obscured by the constant movement of, and fascination with, objects in consciousness, is the silence of consciousness itself and in that silence, there is peace. We need not think of this as spiritual woo-woo, or some New Age, mushroom-induced metaphysics but rather as an invitation to no longer see aging as an enemy—an intruder whose sole purpose it to rob us of our youth.

Aging Yoga (AY) is a practical method for moving toward what Eckhart Tolle refers to as a “felt oneness with Being.” Simplified further, it’s allowing the natural course of our lives to play out minus the chattering mind’s negative critique and following nature’s movement toward unity.

Due to a cultural bias toward anything young, it is no longer fashionable to suggest that with age comes wisdom. Despite this, growing older brings with it opportunities for transitions not afforded the young, or, as Carl Jung wrote, “The greatest potential for growth and self-realisation exists in the second half of life.” The psychologist James Hollis, in his book Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life: How to Really Grow Up, states, “Psychology of the first half of life is driven by the fantasy of acquisition. But then the second half of life asks of us, and ultimately demands, relinquishment.” This “relinquishment”—letting go—is yoga. Not resisting this natural “demand” of life is aging yoga.

Hopping on the aging yoga train has more to do with stopping what we’re doing than starting something new—good news for us “old dogs” tired of new tricks.

To get you started on the aging yoga path, here are a few pointers:

1. Stop talking about growing older as if it were a disease.
2. Stop treating your aging body as if it still belonged to someone in their 20s.
3. Stop insisting that your past is more important than your present.
4. Stop trying to outsmart time.
5. Stop looking to others to discover your “purpose.”

While conventional wisdom tells us, “You can’t take it with you,” many people will continue the “fantasy of acquisition” until the very end and miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime: the discovery of the true treasures of growing old and truly wise.