Eugene Teo, 34, began lifting weights at the age of 13, looking for validation. I was short, skinny and I thought it would give me confidence, he says. Bodybuilding for me was the ultimate expression of that. Now living on the Gold Coast in Australia, with his partner and daughter, the fitness coach spent from age 16 to 24 training and competing. At times, he lifted weights for up to four hours a day, aiming to get as muscular and lean as possible.
I got a 3D scan that measured my flexibility last August, hoping the predictably subpar results would finally inspire me to stretch more. Then, I did basically nothing. Even knowing my shoulder rotation movement was in the "red" zone - needing serious improvement if I wanted to avoid future pain - it wasn't enough to get me to devote three minutes of light stretching before my cardio and strength workouts as suggested by trainers I had spoken with.
Physically, the core-which includes the abdominals, lower back, and pelvic floor-stabilizes the spine, protects the lower back, and improves posture by helping to maintain the natural curvature of the spine. A stable core lets you move safely and steadily, whether you're working out or moving through everyday life.
Instead of guessing where your body is in space, you receive immediate physical feedback when you rest or press part of your body against the support. Practicing poses against a wall can reduce the intensity of a pose. But it can also increase the challenge. A wall isn't just a 'make the pose easier' prop.
If the goal to to offer a truly transformative practice-and a class students want to return to again and again-a welcoming environment for all should be the goal. But what, exactly, does that include? In short, the vulnerability that comes with yoga requires a container that supports it. Paying attention to the accessibility, vibe, and clarity in and around any class is a strong place to start.
Aging isn't just about wrinkles-it's about how your body moves. Or doesn't move. As we age, we often lose strength, balance, and range of motion. Our spines compress. Our glutes weaken. All of this manifests as pain, stiffness, and fatigue. But as Yogi Aaron reminds us, the true signs of aging come from a loss of mobility. The good news? You can get it back through regularpractice of our yoga routine to stay young, which includes breath, muscle activation, and mindful movement.
"To become fully mature as human persons, we must bring to life within ourselves the dynamics that fashioned the cosmos. We must become these cosmic dynamics and primordial powers in a new human form. That is our task: to create the human form of the central powers of the cosmos.... The powers that build the universe are ultimately mysterious, issuing forth from and operating out of mystery. They are the most awesome and numinous reality in the universe. Humans are these dynamics brought into self-awareness.'
It requires suppleness of the adductor (inner thigh) muscles, as well as the hamstrings (back thigh) and the hip joint itself. There are several variations to the pose. Initially, the student attempts to grasp the toes with the index and middle finger. As the student advances, they move forward until the chest is resting on the floor, but this should only be attempted if the back can be kept straight, otherwise the pose tends to distort the vertebral column.
