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Did you happen to read the article in Elephant Journal titled, “‘Yoga After 40 Will Kill You’: The Ultimate Life Lesson I Learned As a 40-Year-Old Beginner Yogi”?

I came across it recently and couldn’t help but feel nostalgic. Those were the days.

Now, I’m 60. I’ve been practising Ashtanga yoga for 17 years. These days, I stick to a half-primary series. Still, I believe this makes me reasonably qualified to share some insights on yoga in your 60s.

One unavoidable reality of being 60 is the heightened risk of disappointment and disillusionment. Life may not have gone exactly as planned: perhaps the kids have moved away, a divorce reshaped your world, or your weight and health aren’t where you’d hoped they’d be. Maybe your sleep is erratic, you’ve picked up a new habit (or two), and health anxieties loom larger than before. You might even catch yourself wondering: is this all there is?

By the time you’ve hit 60, you’ve likely reached a certain maturity, or at least, an uncomfortable clarity that any improvement is just an elusive concept. Instead, you lower expectations and abandon motivational mantras like “expect the unexpected” and “achieve the unachievable.” You now recognize them for the wishful thinking they are. You might feel invisible and unheard. And though there’s still hope, what you’re hoping for may remain unclear. As they say, Elvis has left the building.

Yet, this phase of life presents an opportunity: stepping out of your comfort zone. And there’s no better way to do that than yoga. Yoga demands strength, determination, and resilience—qualities you might feel are in short supply. But don’t worry; there’s humour in the struggle too, enough to keep you grounded (or at least laughing).

Breaking the Old Age with Yoga

Challenging your usual patterns through yoga is essential. When you roll out the mat, it’s not just about the poses; it’s about testing your boundaries. And yes, if New Age enthusiasts advise you to “fake it until you make it,” why not embrace that too?

Start simple. Go into a downward dog. Sure, your arms might tremble, your belly might wobble, and your hamstrings will probably protest loudly. That’s fine. Pull your core in, channel memories of your 30s or 40s, and hold the pose. Feel the earth beneath your palms and breathe deeply—though, let’s be honest, it won’t get easier, but breathe anyway.

And when the downward dog becomes unbearable, move to Tadasana (mountain pose). Stand tall, resist the urge to collapse, and savour the stillness. In our 60s, Tadasana is deceptively challenging and profoundly the most important pose.

The Realities of Yoga at 60

Here’s the truth: yoga at this age doesn’t come without its aches and pains. Your practice might leave you sore, frustrated, and questioning your choices. After a month, you may still struggle to touch your toes. And no, you won’t master jump-back or jump-through—but who says you need to?

The first reward of yoga in your 60s is often a sense of utter exhaustion. You may feel like everyone else has had a transcendent experience while you’re left grappling with inadequacy. That’s normal. Embrace the discomfort because, as yoga teaches, the journey is the reward—even if it doesn’t feel like it.

Yes, there might be neck, back, knee, and shoulder pains to contend with (not to mention torn muscles or herniated disks if you overdo it, so be careful). But learning to listen to your body is part of the practice. Pay attention, adapt, and respect your limits.

Transformation beyond the Mat

After 30 minutes of yoga, you might look in the mirror and barely recognize yourself—both physically and emotionally. A month in, you might dream of leaving your job to pursue yoga full-time. Three months in, you could find yourself exploring the depths of Advaita philosophy, contemplating the nature of existence itself.

Midlife crises may be inevitable, but yoga offers a path through them. Yoga helps uncover a resilience you might not have realized was still there.

So, unroll that mat and step into the adventure. After all, at 60, you’ve got nothing to lose.

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