Getting to know: Marilee and Yoga

I wanted to kick off a new series of posts where I'll interview yoga loving people. 

No better way to start it off with beautiful, free spirited MARILEE.  What can I say... this lovely lady exudes such a peaceful, content and humble presence in our yoga classes and I love watching her demonstrate some of the most challenging poses yoga has on offer.  And at the age of 62 she definitely sets an inspiring example of utilising your body's full potential no matter how old.  No excuses!

Why did you start yoga?

One day I reached down and could barely touch my toes which I'd done easily in the past.  I thought 'this just won't do!' and went in search of a yoga class.

What do you think yoga aims to achieve?

I think it aims to achieve a unification of physical and mental fitness for a balanced healthy lifestyle.

What do you find rewarding in yoga?

Yoga and gym practice helps me feel younger and more able to do a lot of physical things I love, like backpacking, kayaking, bike riding.  I've also made many friends thru yoga.

What do you find most challenging in yoga?

Keeping focussed during practice and unfocussed during meditation... for example thinking: 'Oh, I must cut my toe nails' or 'hmmm what was I supposed to buy on the way home?'.

3 reasons you would recommend yoga to others

Yoga can be for anyone but I would especially recommend it to people who care about looking after their bodies and who through age or injury are starting to lose their mobility.  Yoga has given me:

1) flexibility and balance = confidence

2) fitness = ability

3) helps me stay calm in stressful situations = whew!

3 words that describe how you feel after yoga

Relaxed (like a massage), Sweaty, Rejuventated

What makes you smile?

Seeing something totally surprising in nature like a seagull scratching its head with its foot while flying.  A dolphin in the wild doing a complete sommersault in the air.  The vibrant yellow mushrooms that appeared overnight in my garden pot (I didn't eat them!)

What's your ideal way to spend a Sunday?

Getting up early to go on a bushwalk in the Blue Mountains - I don't do this enough!!

At home I read my book in bed with a cup of coffee, then work in the garden. 

What's your best holiday?

One of my best holidays was kayaking in the wilderness rivers near Katherine in the Northern Territory with a wonderful group of like minded 'oldies'.

What's something that a lot of people don't know about you?

I spent quite a few years as a cruising yachtie, sailing in the Pacific Islands in a tiny 11 metre yacht.  My husband had to row me ashore in our dinghy to the hospital in Noumea to give birth to our first baby.