If we need any further proof that our society has mixed feelings about aging, check out the Oct/Nov 2013 issue of “AARP The Magazine”. The general tone of the magazine is decidedly upbeat. We Boomers are busy reimagining our lives, considering “real possibilities”, choosing amongst “the best places to live” and so on and on.
Even when the magazine is forced to tip its hat in the direction of issues that Boomers should at least be beginning to consider—loss, diminishment and mortality—it’s with decidedly good humor. Witness Valerie Harper “Faced with inoperable cancer, the beloved star of Rhoda reacts just the way we’d want her to: with gritty determination and a healthy laugh.”
So why is it that it is only when we turn to the article on Yoga, does AARP inadvertently give us a glimpse of the shadow side of aging out of the corner of our eye?
I’m referring to the article titled “Yoga for You.” We Boomers are encouraged to “try these three simple moves to help your bones and blood pressure.” Of the “3 Poses for your 60s”, we’ve got Cobbler’s Pose and Warrior 1. So far so good. But the one that really caught my eye: “The Corpse Pose”. Yes, indeed, this is the one pose in yoga in which you lie flat on your back, eyes closed, feet splayed, surrendering to the floor.
Was I the only one who rode this upbeat issue of the magazine whipped up to a frenzy of feverish glee about our great age, only to leave yoga class with a bad case of whiplash?
Feel free to share this providing proper credit to Carol Orsborn
and a link to CarolOrsborn.com.
