89 Years of Body-Memories
My body is my authentic femaleness. It is me. I stand in the body of myself. Through life’s ordinary passages—marriage, birthing, holding on and letting go, welcoming and releasing, breathing in and breathing out—I learn to trust my body’s voice and listen, and how to forgive myself when I don’t. I grow in love with my body through dance and yoga. I share with you a sampling of my body-memories.
In childhood…
I slid down a snowy cellar door and then ran under the covers on our outdoor sleeping porch to get warm.
My sweater caught on fire at a Fourth of July celebration and was rolled in a rug. Adrenaline and exhilaration filled my body.
I was locked in a closet by one of our housekeepers, and my body quivers to this day with closed-door fear.
As a teenager…
I expressed myself with my body in drama, english, art classes.
I joined a dance class led by Isadora Duncan’s premier dancer. She celebrated me!
I was ridiculed by my parents for loving the dance.
As an adult…
I moved to California as a young bride.
I danced with Anna Halperin until I became pregnant.
My body nurtured and loved my children, during the years of mothering.
I was diagnosed with arthritis at 30 and danced to heal my joints.
In the empty nest…
My children grown, I wrote my Masters Thesis on “Dance Toward Wholeness.”
I joined Circle Dancing.
I discovered Yoga through Meditation and Tai Chi in the park.
Today…
I continue to teach a Yoga class at the local community center.
I keep on moving and loving my awesome body.
My wish for all my sisters is that we experience being ourselves in our bodies. This is our generous energy offering to the planet, and our essential gift to ourselves. Love to you all.
Bio:
The month’s theme “Love Your Body Regardless” culminates with Patricia’s beloved mentor, 89 year old Barbara Lyon, yoga teacher and poet. Barbara has offered affordable yoga classes to Bay Area seniors, adults, and children for several decades. She has been honored by the city and its Board of Education for her committed service to the health and well-being of Bay Area residents. Be inspired by this video of Barbara teaching her yoga class, the same class she’s been teaching for decades! Inspired by Barbara, we have named the generation before the baby-boomers “Gen-WOW.”
http://www.videosurf.com/video/89-year-old-yoga-instructor-124376367
Patricia wrote this acknowledgment of Barbara in her first book A God Who Looks Like Me: “Barbara Lyon, joyful dancer, yoga teacher, poet, author, and wise crone-guide, taught me to Dance Toward Wholeness through her life and work. By her example, I am learning to celebrate the accumulation of my years and wisdom, and to honor the changes in my body and life.” Dance Toward Wholeness is the title of one of Barbara’s books.
You are a WOW! I wanna be like you when I grow up…
Mi corazon se lleno de amor, ternura y admiracion oyendo y viendo a Barbara hablar,contar su vida, y dictar su clase de yoga con tanta atendion y dedicacion.Yo estoy creciendo y quiero ser como ella!!!!
My hart was fool of love, tenderness and admiration listen to Barbara talking,telling her stories and seeing her teaching yoga with such concern and dedication. I am already growing up and I,also, want to be like her!!!!! Thank you Barbara!!!!!
Patricia has said it so well…..what an inspiration and encourages me to keep on moving, especially in dance.
Thank you, Enjoy yourself and those you meet with will join the dance
What an inspiration! And I love your wording of ‘body memories’ I will share with my 79 yo mom. Thank you
Give your mom my blessing and hope that I can be a mover and shaker with for her, love
When I read Barbara’s words, “Dance Toward Wholeness” my soul stirred. Long ago, I took tap dancing and hated it. I threw a tantrum (like only an angry 5 year old can) and my mom said I didn’t have to go anymore. That was the end of my dance career. As the years passed, I have envied the beautiful, graceful movements of dancers and buried a deep sense of regret. Now, I am healing through breast cancer. The idea of “dancing toward wholeness” opened up a whole new world of possibilities! What a gift! I can dance and move my way to health!! Thank you Barbara (and thank you Patricia for sharing such a wise woman with the world).
YOur grace is already whole, it calls you in every way – with love
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! What an inspiration!
Thank you for the inspiration Barbara. I will keep on moving and loving my body with you in mind!
Hi Barbara!
It’s me…Sandra (“Sandi”) from Lair of the Bear, Camp Blue near Pinecrest. Remember? My late husband was Joe Judicini. I remember your family fondly, especially Duncan! I’ve been dancing for over 15 years now (ballroom and Argentine tango), but have also done yoga and tai chi. So glad I found you through Patricia! I’ll be 70 next year. You are such an inspiration!
Wonderful memory, Sandi. Join this spirit of the dance that can change the world. Barbara