It’s surprising, and I don’t even know how it is possible, that at the end of this year I will turn 80 years old.
At this moment, I am in remarkably good health. People always want to say, ‘for your age’. But, without bragging, I’m in very good nick.
I keep speaking the words, ‘for now’, because I know that health and well-being can ‘turn on a dime’, as the expression goes. I’ve seen it happen in my family and with my friends. And some of them are not here any longer. I do know how fortunate I am.
Because of experiencing good health and fitness, I see the formation of wrinkles and chin hairs and arthritic joints without too much concern. The greying hair and diminishing muscle mass come with the territory. If you want longevity, you have to accept physical, mental, emotional and spiritual changes. Some good, some not so much so.
However, I was diagnosed a few years ago with a serious condition called osteoporosis. It is variously defined as bone thinning and reduction of bone mass. The risk of having it is that one’s bones become weak and are susceptible to fractures. Because osteoporosis doesn’t cause any symptoms, people don’t know they have the condition until there is a fracture or bone break. (My condition was discovered from imaging done of a bad wrist sprain after a bicycle accident.)
At six-monthly intervals, I get injections of a drug that slows the breakdown and removal of bone cells. I’m not crazy about following this protocol as I try to avoid drugs as much as possible. But I’ve had sensible advice from a couple of doctors and nurses that I trust, so I’ve agreed to this regime.
Still, I’ve wanted to do more for myself. Thus, in January this year, I participated in a course called Buff Bones, a training that includes exercises that are good for my bones. Having completed the basic training, I have now qualified as a Buff Bones instructor. This means I can lead students who want to improve or maintain their bone health through this methodical movement system of body conditioning.
Being of advanced age, I found the training hard. Temporarily putting my 44 years of yoga teaching to the side, I took on learning movements that are Pilates-generated. Probably I am in just a small cohort of people who has hardly ever encountered Pilates, for all the goodness that practitioners of this method report. I have slowly learned the 60+ exercises, as well as modifications and progressions, and I am still learning.
I like working with this BB system. It includes many of the things that I already teach my midlife and older students: spinal movements, abdominal strengthening, working with resistance, balancing in different planes and pelvic stability.
It’s not yoga and doesn’t purport to be. Buff Bones is something else, and valuable in a specialised niche. I’m loving introducing people to it and enjoy having a whole new challenging language to speak the development of strength and resilience. I expect I will put on some BB classes soon or, even better, a course for you.
I feel chuffed that I have a new repertoire to take into my next decade.
Very inspiring Eve, thank you for sharing.
I would be very interested in any course you put online for bone health!
Kind wishes
At this stage I’m not sure if I’m able to present an on-line version, Carolyn, of what I’ve been learning.
Shall I let you know if I go on-line? In the meantime, you could check the Buff Bones website for their on-demand classes and courses.
Kindly, Eve G.
Keep me a place.
I am interested in joining in to Buff Bones from Canada, if possible. Surprisingly (to me) after years of prepping for 10K races and the odd tri-athalon, I too have been told that I have osteoporosis.
Phyllis
Hi Phyllis, I’m not sure that I will have an on-line Buff Bones course, but I’ll keep you in mind if I do.
In the meantime, the BB website has on-demand classes and courses that you can paricipate in.
Kindly,
Eve G.
You may even be the first to know 😉
You are always an inspiration Eve, to so many. I was introduced to yoga when you had your studio in China town in Sydney. I was studying shiatsu with andjrzej gospodarczyk early 80s, where we had 2 classes a week with you.
I have had a strong yoga practice over the decades since. Also have followed your fb page and your generous classes online.
I hope your health remains as good as possible— I’m not that far behind you in age and like you remain in good health.thank you again for your inspiration and I will continue follow your journey Eve
It’s a gift to me as a teacher, Rosemary, to hear that my teaching has inspired you so very long ago.
And that it has made a difference to your health. Good on you for keeping up with the practice over the years.
That takes dedication and constancy.
Kind regards,
Eve G.
Can you include me too ?
Hi Christine, How very nice to hear from you after all this time. How are you?
At this stage I’m not sure if I’m able to present an on-line version of what I’ve been learning.
Shall I let you know if I go on-line? In the meantime, you could check the Buff Bones website for their on-demand classes and courses.
Kindly, Eve G.
Hi – I am interested. Will this course be on-line?
Hi Aleksandra, At this stage I’m not sure if I’m able to present an on-line version of what I’ve been learning.
Shall I let you know if I go on-line? In the meantime, you could check the Buff Bones website for their on-demand classes and courses.
Kindly, Eve G.
Eve, you are a soulful loving angel. Your insatiable thirst for knowledge and desire to know more to help yourself and others has always been an inspiration. That alone is such a wonderful legacy. I rarely see you but my love for you and who you are is there always. The fact that you’ve engaged in Buff Bones is no surprise to me & I’m glad you have found it so valuable. Very best to you now and in the future. I’d love to catch up again one day. xx Steve
Thank you, Steve, for your more than kind words. I’m fortunate yoga has given me a language and method in which to communicate. It’s one of the blessings of this system that is forgiving of ageing teachers who simply want to contribute. As you do too, I’m sure.
Kindly,
Eve
My sister suffers from osteoporosis and has had multiple serious fractures due to this condition. I think it’s great there’s this program to build back bone density. Statistically at least 50% of woman over 50 have this condition so we should all work on building bones!!
True words, Cherri. Most of us don’t think about this stage ever landing upon us. But here we are. And fortunately, there are learnings and practices that will help us get through. Hope your sister takes good care going forward. Kindly, Eve