Baby boomers discover the benefits of yoga

Lithe and limber we are not.

Middle-aged we are. Our backs ache, our knees are sore, our energy wanes.

We no longer spring out of the car or up from a chair. We are stiff.

A simple "Hi, How are you?" turns into a dissertation that makes the listener think we are earning a Ph.D. in aches and pains. We are starting to whine.

This is not a good thing.

And so, in an effort to back off this aging process, we flock to the gym, the pool, our bikes, or any other physical activity in a desperate search to keep us young, healthy, and strong, both mentally and physically. In the process, a myriad of baby boomers for the first time are discovering and espousing the benefits of yoga.

I decided to check it out.

Although my best friend from seventh grade has been practicing yoga for over 30 years, I have never given it much thought. Perhaps I now know why she is such a constantly calm and positive person who is still lithe and limber. I should have paid more attention.

And so in my belated quest for such attributes, I raced out and purchased a yoga book and headed off to class.

I was in for a surprise. Having come from the Jane Fonda generation that needed to bounce and "feel the burn Baby!" yoga is an entirely different experience in many ways. At this age, I am foremost and exceedingly grateful that the workout attire has changed.

Back in my wild jump up and down aerobic days, we women typically wore the fashion rigueur of the era: form fitting leotards and tights that disclosed all the problems to the world that we were desperately trying to hide. (Kind of like parading around in a swimsuit every day.)

Gratefully, the yoga attire is looser and longer; mostly stretch pants and simple T-shirts. Best of all, those heavy, tight, floor pounding aerobic shoes are history. Bare feet are the norm. Already my toes are happy.

For a person who hates exercise machines, I was thrilled with the aspect of only a simple mat for equipment. Also, there is not the hard pumping music of yore, but rather a mild and mellow instrumental tune playing softly in the background that calls for relaxation.

After all, who wants to work up a sweat? Not me, I can assure you. Yet, soon I was twisting where I'd never twisted before.

One of the first aspects of practicing yoga is learning how to breathe.

I thought that since I'd been doing it for well over half a century, I had breathing down. The correct way during yoga, however, is deep inhales and exhales only through the nose and coordinated with each new stretch and movement.

Struggling to follow the moves and breathe out or in at the right time just about made me hyperventilate. I clearly was not achieving its intent which was to soothe my nervous system.

I reminded myself to calm down. After all, this is yoga. It's been around for thousands of years, and its popularity is only growing.

Clearly this is no passing fad like my Jane Fonda aerobic tapes. I have learned from my new book, "Om Yoga: A Guide to Daily Practice" by Cyndi Lee, that yoga "invites us to harmonize our body, breath, and mind as a way to experience wakefulness and compassion in our daily lives."

Sounds better than a treadmill any day.

Lee goes on to say that "the path of hatha yoga involves physical exercises that enhance our cardiovascular system, strengthen our muscles, improve our digestive activity, and cleanse our entire body.

"It also includes breathing exercises that soothe our nervous system and mediation that develops mental clarity."

What's not to like?

My next challenge, however, was keeping up with the series of postures.

Yoga uses a variety of descriptive names that keeps the mind on a creative edge. Warrior, cat, corpse, and cobra sound down right scary, and if I hear the command for "downward dog" one more time, I might start barking.

Full moon, five star, and child's pose are more to my liking. One of the best things I have discovered about yoga is that it's not about big muscles or perfect figures. As the instructor explained, it's more about centering yourself to the moment and letting go of competition not only with others but yourself.

Ignoring that wisdom for a second, I couldn't help but sneak an upside down look through my triangle legs to see who else was in the class. I was amazed at the variety. There were both men and women, all shapes, sizes, and ages. The gal directly in front of me was white haired and older but definitely stronger and more limber. I was impressed.

I was also surprised to discover it's a much tougher workout than I thought. Perhaps that is why I like the corpse pose the best.

Coming at the end of the session, it lives up to its name and simply requires us to lie flat on the floor as if we are dead to the world while the instructor encourages us to let go of the angst and anxieties of the day, freeing our minds for peace and harmony.

And the best part is that at the end of the class, everyone rolls up smiling, visibly refreshed and renewed.

My only worry is that the corpse pose, music, and soothing words are as relaxing as a lullaby and that I will be tempted to fall asleep.

If that's the case, only wake me if I snore.