Don, I just love this! I’ve always been pleased that I mastered walking as a toddler. When I was in med school I fell on a green ski slope. I had to meet my first patients as “Student Doctor Shearer” in a short white coat accessorized by a hip cast.
As compensation I could sing and debate. Then I discovered that opera often required climbing, kneeling, and reclining for artistic accuracy. Thus came oratorio! Just stand there and sing!
Things changed after decades last summer. I started yoga at my local gym. I can now be a chair, a tree, a lizard, a cow, a cat, and most importantly, a Downward Facing Dog! Yessiree, I make a pretty darn good “Down Dawg” as we say here in Atlanta.
I have tried yoga off an on over the years, but my balance issues made it pretty frustrating. Maybe I can try again after I build up my strength and stability. (However, I had no problem with the Lie Down and Play Dead Asana, or as I thought of it, Upward Facing Cow.)
Good for you Don! I agree it is never too late. I’m about the same age as you and got more serious about my fitness a few years ago now. It has really paid off for me. Long slow progress is the go. Great article I hope lots of people read it and get inspired. Mark
Congrats, this is outstanding! And inspiring. I have to continue to do many of these exercises as part of my post-hip replacement and you've given me a boost in motivation. You're my new virtual gym buddy!
Wayne, I can hardly take issue with your position, which I lived by for many years. My motto, a remark attributed to the president of the University of Chicago (among others), was "Whenever I feel the urge to exercise, I lie down until it passes."
Me too! The trick, for me at least, is to consistently do physical activity I really enjoy , preferably with friends, that also passes as exercise, and just not call it that. 😂
Don, I just love this! I’ve always been pleased that I mastered walking as a toddler. When I was in med school I fell on a green ski slope. I had to meet my first patients as “Student Doctor Shearer” in a short white coat accessorized by a hip cast.
As compensation I could sing and debate. Then I discovered that opera often required climbing, kneeling, and reclining for artistic accuracy. Thus came oratorio! Just stand there and sing!
Things changed after decades last summer. I started yoga at my local gym. I can now be a chair, a tree, a lizard, a cow, a cat, and most importantly, a Downward Facing Dog! Yessiree, I make a pretty darn good “Down Dawg” as we say here in Atlanta.
Patti
I have tried yoga off an on over the years, but my balance issues made it pretty frustrating. Maybe I can try again after I build up my strength and stability. (However, I had no problem with the Lie Down and Play Dead Asana, or as I thought of it, Upward Facing Cow.)
Good for you Don! I agree it is never too late. I’m about the same age as you and got more serious about my fitness a few years ago now. It has really paid off for me. Long slow progress is the go. Great article I hope lots of people read it and get inspired. Mark
Thanks for that positive reinforcement!
Don…please send video of you doing “the jock swagger” 🤦🏻🤣
Ha!
Don, I love your writing. You make me laugh out loud. Keep writing, and keep going to the gym.
Thank you so much! You've made my day.
Congrats, this is outstanding! And inspiring. I have to continue to do many of these exercises as part of my post-hip replacement and you've given me a boost in motivation. You're my new virtual gym buddy!
Wendl, what an honor! And what a label that I never thought I would earn.
I'm not going to read this. Not today. Not ever. I hate exercise, except maybe walking the aisles of a grocery store.
Wayne, I can hardly take issue with your position, which I lived by for many years. My motto, a remark attributed to the president of the University of Chicago (among others), was "Whenever I feel the urge to exercise, I lie down until it passes."
Me too! The trick, for me at least, is to consistently do physical activity I really enjoy , preferably with friends, that also passes as exercise, and just not call it that. 😂
Funny and just the right amount of self-deprecating. Sounds like a worthwhile undertaking.
Thanks, Susie. I appreciate that so much.