World Yoga Day, celebrated annually on June 21, honors the profound impact of yoga on health and longevity, paying tribute to the timeless wisdom it brings. On this special day, Vayah Vikas recognizes the incredible contributions of three exceptional women who have embodied the spirit of yoga well into their later years: Tao Porchon-Lynch, V. Nanammal, and Ida Herbert. These extraordinary yoga teachers, each surpassing the age of 90, have demonstrated through their practice and teachings that yoga is not merely a physical exercise but a holistic path to a vibrant and fulfilling life. Their dedication and longevity serve as powerful testaments to yoga's ability to nurture the body, mind, and spirit. Here are the lessons we can learn from their remarkable lives.
Lesson 1: Embrace Lifelong Learning and Teaching
V. Nanammal: The Legacy of "Yoga Grandma"
V. Nanammal (1920 – 2019), celebrated as India's oldest yoga teacher, trained one million students over 45 years and taught 100 students daily. Her remarkable contributions were honored with India's National Nari Shakti Puraskar in 2016 and the Padma Shri in 2018. Born into an agricultural family in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Nanammal learned yoga from her father at age eight, mastering over 50 asanas. In 1972, she founded the Ozone Yoga Centre, where she emphasized pranayama (breath control) and taught over 100,000 people, including 36 family members who became yoga instructors.
Nanammal’s dedication to teaching and her continuous learning journey underline the importance of staying active and sharing knowledge. Even in her later years, she aimed to spread yoga awareness among women and girls, promoting its health benefits. Her enduring legacy shows that a commitment to teaching and learning can significantly contribute to longevity and vitality.
Lesson 2: Cultivate a Passion for Life
Tao Porchon-Lynch: A Century of Yoga and Beyond
Tao Porchon-Lynch (1918 – 2020), a revered American yoga master and award-winning author, began her yoga journey in 1926 in India. She learned from luminaries like Sri Aurobindo, B.K.S. Iyengar, and K. Pattabhi Jois. At 101, Tao still taught weekly classes in New York and led yoga programs worldwide, embodying the spirit of yoga with her vitality and wisdom. She authored two books, including her autobiography "Dancing Light," which won several awards.
Tao’s life exemplifies the power of pursuing one’s passions wholeheartedly. Despite societal norms, she followed her love for yoga, modeling, acting, and activism, even marching with Mahatma Gandhi. Her vibrant energy and dynamic teaching style show that embracing and cultivating passions can lead to a fulfilling and long life.
Lesson 3: It's Never Too Late to Start
Ida Herbert: Embracing Yoga at Any Age
Ida Herbert (1916 – present), recognized by the Guinness World Records in 2012 as the world's oldest yoga teacher, started her yoga journey at age 50. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of yoga, showcasing that it's never too late to start practicing. Herbert’s late discovery of yoga began in Toronto when, as a 50-year-old junior high school secretary, she was inspired by the grace and peace of a woman practicing asanas. This initial intrigue blossomed into a lifelong passion.
After retiring in 1986, Herbert began teaching yoga to fellow retirees, emphasizing movement and the mantra that one is "never too old." Her vibrant energy, sharp wit, and commitment to a healthy lifestyle have kept her teaching and inspiring others. Ida Herbert’s life and teachings remind us that starting a new, health-promoting practice later in life can still lead to significant benefits for longevity and well-being.
Vayah Vikas celebrates World Yoga Day, by focusing the spotlight on the lives of V. Nanammal, Tao Porchon-Lynch, and Ida Herbert to remind us of the ageless benefits of yoga. These remarkable women have shown that yoga is a holistic path to a vibrant and fulfilling life, nurturing the body, mind, and spirit. Their dedication and longevity inspire countless individuals to embrace yoga for a healthier and more harmonious existence. Let their stories be a testament to the timeless wisdom of yoga and its profound impact on health and longevity. Let us all embrace Yoga and gain from its benefits.