Bikram Yoga in your 60s: Cecilia G.

By Noa Glow

Longtime BYV student Cecilia is bringing sexy back – at 64 years old! Seriously, with this kind of body, would you ever guess that she’s a grandmother?! Look for Cecilia riding her scooter to the studio and warming up before class with her headphones on. And, if you need proof that Bikram Yoga keeps you young – and young at heart – look no further than this blog post!

Tell us about your very first Bikram Yoga class …

My friends had been inviting me to try Bikram Yoga for a long time, but at that time I was a member at YWCA for more than 10 years – I am a swimmer. Finally, I agreed to try my first class with Leslie and Terri, just to get them off my case. I was 60 years old at that time; Julia was the teacher.

I’ll never forget that class; it was like torture that never ends. I remember sweating so much! I had been doing other styles of yoga for over 10 years, without any problems doing the postures. But holding those Bikram poses for the very first time, eyes open, concentrating and focusing and only listening to the dialogue was something I hadn’t experienced before. I was totally exhausted by the end of the class! I was surprised that I could sweat so much – and that I drank a litre of Kangen Water in 90 minutes!

But I felt very good that day and, within three or four days I could see my body changing! I brought myself a pass and went to the studio every day. Then, for my 61st birthday, I bought myself a one-year pass to Bikram Yoga Vancouver. Now I do Bikram Yoga every other day. For me it’s not just for the physical benefits (although, hearing0 compliments that my body’s “sexy” is very welcome when you’re 64!), but also for my overall health. Good health enables me to love life and everything else!

What are some of the other benefits you receive from Bikram Yoga?

I think the practice, physically, keeps me in good shape, and sweating for 90 minutes is like getting a natural liver cleanse every time. Also my skin looks nice and my vision is good – I don’t need glasses to read or sew. Mentally Bikram Yoga helps me focus on emptying my mind and feeling the moment. I can then recall the same feeling in my everyday life, which helps me become calm and at peace with myself and gives me the strength to be myself. Emotionally, I am happy all the time. I make people around me feel good, too. People consider me a lucky person – and I am very lucky.

What would you say to older adults who are afraid to try Bikram Yoga?

Getting old does not mean getting weak; if I had my way, I would make Bikram Yoga a mandatory health-maintenance procedure! Do you know that 80% of medical spending happens in the last few year of a person’s life? Can you imagine the money we’d save, that could be used for other social programs? So many people would benefit and, for those being treated with yoga, so much unnecessary pain would be eliminated – for the patient and their family. Me – I don’t want to get to the point of no return. I am willing to work hard in order to enjoy the life I have worked hard for.

Related Posts:

• Yoga for Seniors: Power & Surrender
• Yoga for Seniors: Self Care & Soul Work
• Yoga for Seniors: A Letter from Stephen Liu

What are your top tips for getting through a hot Bikram Yoga class?

I just tune in, keep my mind open and connect to things I want to manifest. I see nothing during class – only myself in the mirror. And I feel love for myself often, which feels very good. Regular practice is very important to my whole being and my spiritual health!

What do you love most about Bikram Yoga?

My life was good before Bikram Yoga – now it’s great! For sure it is because of Bikram that I can still wear cute outfits and look sexy and confident at 64! I’m very open about telling people my real age, to remind them that 60 will come for everyone – if they don’t die at 59! But in all seriousness, everyone needs to prepare themselves for that, physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and, of course, financially – the sooner the better! Life is good when all these areas are in balance.

Tell us a bit more about your life outside the hot room …

I’ve been a hairdresser for 25 years; I own Aquarius Studio one block from Kits Beach and live 150 steps from my studio. I have two grown sons, one of whom is married with two boys, one 12 and one 8. I see my grandsons a few times a month; they say I am a fun granny! We play basketball and wash my car in the summer (I promised I will let them drive my BMX X1 when they get their licence!). I love singing, ballroom dancing (right now I’m learning the Argentine tango), public speaking and ice-skating. I also love my Apple computer, learning the stock market and social media. I’m a big Facebook fan! I’ve been to Brazil three times. I love life, love to explore and am full of curiosity!