The Over-60 Ninjas That Inspire Us

"Age is but a number."

I don't know who said this, or if it can be attributed to any particular author. What I do know is, it's 100% truth.

Many people believe that standing on their hands is for the young and spry, and the older generation is limited to slow flow vinyasa (for example). WRONG!

These ninjas prove that notion all sorts of wrong. As only a small handful of the yoga ninjas over 60 years old inside Yogi Flight School, they each demonstrate a unique personal approach to their practice and their journey to flight.

Regardless of whether they've dove head-first into the program and are already flying in dozens of poses, or they've decided to take it slower, listening to what their body is calling for, our 60+ ninjas all have (at least) TWO things in common - they will not let their biological age dictate what they can and can not achieve, and they believe in themselves as much as we believe in them!

- Sue -

I am aged 67. I am a semi-retired Solicitor (ex-courtroom lawyer specializing in criminal defense but latterly Private Client work). I am a Yoga Teacher - Yoga Alliance Professionals RYT500. I did my 200 hour YTT at age 63 and completed my advanced 300 hours at age 66. I teach Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin and Yoga Nidra. I’m a student of Sanskrit. I’m also a wife, mother and nana and my husband and I have an Ice Cream business, Styles Farmhouse Ice Cream making and selling top quality ice cream.

I joined YFS because I’ve always admired the wonderful inversion and arm balance poses that I see in books and online, and I wanted to be able to do some of them. Although I've had extensive and excellent yoga training, arm balances and inversions have mostly been something included relatively briefly and mixed with other things and I knew that I wanted and needed more to be able to learn these poses. I kept seeing YFS on Instagram and Facebook but as much as I admired what I was being shown, I thought it would only be suitable for young, bendy “yoga bodies'' and not for someone of my age and with a “stiff body type”. For some inexplicable reason I signed up for the free training and I was absolutely hooked. I was also delighted with how much of the wonderful philosophy translated to life off the yoga mat. It was amazing and I couldn’t wait to sign up for the full training - which by the way is absolutely brilliant.

Don’t be put off by your age. Being 67 has not been a limiting factor. My difficulties have been more with the limitations of my stiff body type which would have been exactly the same if I was 40. I’ve found that mindset and consistent practice without any attachment to the results are what is important. You can still be strong and (increase your strength) and flexibility at 60 and beyond. My physio therapist friend has just reminded me of the importance of maintaining this once you cross 60. In yoga terms I do not have the bendiest body but I have been absolutely amazed that by participating in the live classes and doing the suggested practices I have been able to do things that I never dreamed would be possible for me.

Nat and the coaches are always on hand to help, support and encourage you. There are also lots of people just like you in the wonderful YFS community, ready to celebrate your wins, commiserate with your frustrations, encourage you and share tips. I feel like I have found my tribe and I'm so grateful. Being a part of YFS makes me feel good.

- Kim -

I am 64 years and 9 months old and I am so grateful to discover Yoga at 61 years old, in 2018.

On December 27th, 29th and 31st, 2021, I was lucky to benefit from the free 3 day training, offered by Nathania Stambouli, The Founder of Yogi Flight School. The universe generously gave me what I was asking for : to FLY & to FLOAT in my practice. Thanks to Nathania’s talk on the mindset, I decided to join YFS on January 5th, 2022. Since then, I’ve learnt so much more than the physical practices.

One of my most important lessons in YFS: it’s never too late to practice Yoga, I did not have any consistent or significant physical practices before Yoga. This is a priceless & precious gift offered to me, for my retirement time, I was so afraid to be bored, once out of job! And for the first time in my life, I can feel the childlike wonder and the joy of heart by moving my body in Arm Balances, Inversion and connecting with the Awesome & Supportive community at YFS.

Life is beautiful with my daily practice. As soon as I wake up in the morning, I can’t wait to get on my mat! Eager to embark on my Journey of Self Discovery.

It just blows my mind to witness, for me, so many benefits : sleeping better, reducing chronic pain with arthritis, improving mobility in my joints & my spine, increasing strength & flexibility, alleviating anxiety symptoms, boosting emotional health, creating mental clarity, and the list goes on…So instead of taking medications, I am taking Yoga Lessons.

As we age, we practice with Patience, Acceptance & Love, we have more time to connect to our cells, our energy channels & our spiritual mind. That’s how we participate actively in the Body’s Self-Healing Power.

So why don’t indulge yourself with Yoga, you deserve to be happily ever with this Lifelong learning and prepare yourself to be blessed by wonderful experiences every day.

Remember this « You are capable of more than you give yourself credit for »

- Eileen -

I am 72 years old and have been practicing yoga on and off for over 30 years. I never thought much about inversions - other than shoulder stand. For the past year I have wanted to go upside down (headstand). I bought a Body Lift - but it isn’t really standing on my head. I saw the information on Yogi Flight School, did the free week and now I am determined to get upside down. I take the weekly classes, but mainly do the warm-ups and warm downs as I am not able to do any of the “flights” YET. I have been practicing daily for an hour since joining the Flight School.

I am a runner of over 40 years - mostly trail runs. I started yoga to help me keep stretched out enough to run. Now, my “running” is mostly power hiking on trails. I have very tight hips, quads and hamstrings which hinder doing several poses, but I’m working on it!

Finally, I am a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and I work part-time, with kids.

Some say age is just a number; but seriously the higher the number the more challenging things become. If I didn’t think yoga was worth it I wouldn’t work so hard in my practice...I HAVE NOT reached my limits.