Student Profile - Ben: "Just give it a chance..."

Ben, 77, enjoys regular time on the bike and tennis court and believes yoga and focused breathing maintaining his active lifestyle. He offers this advice to students just starting their journeys on the yoga path, “You would be surprised at how beneficial practice can be if you give it a chance and stick with it.”

• Name: Ben

• Age: 77 | Length of Practice: 4+ years

• Most Gratifying Pose: Warrior 1

• Most Challenging Pose: Transition out of Down Dog

• Pets (in memoriam): Pumpkin the cat, invariably appeared during cat-cow and triangle poses...

• Favorite Bike Ride: FDR Park & the Philadelphia Navy Yard

Dedication - Ben never takes a pose off. His combination of enthusiasm and discipline allows us to explore the healing and revitalizing power of each posture. He epitomizes the ancient yogic principle of tapas, the inner fire that inspires us to “leave it all on the mat.” In the words of the late yoga teacher, BKS Iyengar, "Life without tapas is like a heart without love.”

Self-Acceptance - Ben’s consistency in no small part can be attributed to an understanding of his own thresholds and range of movement on any given day. He stays within himself and is comfortable making adjustments to account for “the usual suspects” in his knee and hip. He works with what he brings to the mat and his calm focus provides a solid foundation for building strength and flexibility. He offers this advice to students just starting their journeys on the yoga path, “You would be surprised at how beneficial practice can be if you give it a chance and stick with it.”

Presence - Ben enjoys regular time on the bike and tennis court and believes yoga facilitates his active lifestyle. I believe his mindset here is critical. Yoga is not an end into itself, but rather a gateway through which we can continue doing everything it is we love doing AND with greater awareness. Beyond building strength and flexibility, simply paying closer attention to our breathing can help us perform almost any physical activity more safely and efficiently. After all, we don’t stop breathing when we roll out of Savasana!

It has been an honor to join you on the path, Ben!