Thank you. You might also like my book, which goes into more detail about why I like being old. And if you don't want to bother reading a whole book, my post https://arichardson.substack.com/p/all-my-future-is-behind-me covers some of the same territory. I hope your talk goes well.
What a wonderful post! I’m going to send it to my mama who turns 86 on Thursday. I don’t think she will be trying a handstand because I had a catastrophic neck injury two and a half years ago doing things in a private yoga no hyper mobile 60 year old should have been doing and still suffer the consequences. But it looks like fun and you are amazing at it! I’ll have a look out for your book too, which sounds delightful! Xxx
I hope your mother likes it. I hope I will still be able to do a headstand at 86, but who knows? Carpe diem. I also hope you enjoy my book. Let me know.
Amazing, I almost stand on my head in Pilates, using the moves known as short spine and long spine. Not nearly as hard as what you are regularly doing. Fab post! And thank you so for subscribing and writing back to me with your lovely reply to my Welcome Letter. I can't wait to read more about you here and in the interview with Debbie Weil!
Wow! Congrats!! I used to do the shoulder stand, but haven’t done it in years. You inspired me, I’m going to start again! What you’re doing looks a little different from, and more difficult than, the shoulder stand the way I learned it. Kudos!!!
What I am doing is headstand, not shoulder stand. I don't know if it is more difficult, but you need to be very strong before attempting it, as you are essentially using your arm and back muscles (as well as your neck) to carry your weight. I don't do shoulder stand any more because I was told it was bad for my neck. Doing any yoga is good. Good luck!
Do be VERY careful if you are trying headstands. I don't want to be responsible for anyone breaking their neck!! You are supposed to cup your hands in an open fashion and put your head in them and just try that with your backside in the air without trying to go up for awhile. And definitely start against a wall. That goes without saying.
Oh London, sounds wonderful! I am out in the countryside in Marshall, Virginia. What a nice offer! - Let’s do it after I get back from a trip, right now I should get off Substack altogether because my best friend of 40 years in Cincinnati, Ohio isn’t in good health. I’ve got to get things taken care of here, and just get out there to her as soon as possible. (Just writing this gives me more oomph and impetus! Thank you!! Now I really will get off Substack altogether until I’m in Cincinnati! 🤗 thank you for the impetus ♥️
I took Iyengar yoga for a few years and never mustered the courage for a headstand. Our teacher used to say that being upside down “teaches you to keep your head when everyone around you is losing theirs.”
Never heard that one before. A lot of people are frightened of doing it, which I can understand, but I took to it like a duck to water. And it's really very easy, once you are strong enough. There are a lot of yoga poses that are positively painful, but this one just feels good.
Ann, I absolutely love this post and your demonstration of headstand. Like you I've been practicing, and teaching asana for over 30 years. While I don't practice headstand anymore due to a neck issue, I do turn upside down with handstand and forearm balance. It's all that you've described! Nice to be here in the space with you.
Just saw your comment to my comment on Office Hours. I immediately looked to your page, found this as the one I wanted to open, scrolled down to see how long it is (some of my early ones are so dang long) and saw the video instead. Brilliant. Love your tone and message.
Thanks. All my posts are short. (So am I, but that is completely irrelevant.). I want people to read them. And I am getting a slowly growing audience (from 25 family and friends last November to 400+ now). And I usually get 67% open rate. Maybe because of the limited frequency and the brevity. Or maybe I am brilliant, but I don't think so. Just thoughtful of my audience.
I think the combination of being brilliant and thought of your audience is the ticket. I've not been posting much. I will read more of yours and get myself going again! I do have 67% open rate as well.
No, I am not brilliant (not dim either) but I have been around the block a few times. Every writer should be thinking about their audience all the time - what do they know? what do they assume? how interested are they in what I am writing about? etc etc. There are some VERY good writers here on Substack @RobertReich @Garrison Keillor and numerous others, so I am pleased that anyone has time to read me as well. Perhaps I will put this comment (amended) onto Office Hours!
I'm well aware of so many and more coming all the time. I know that I have written things that are too long about people they never knew and knowing them in my words isn't an automatic at face value. Sometimes the most brilliant aren't the survivors because they carry a great burden with the gift. Not always, but often.
Yes, but it is in March. And, believe it or not, it is called Mothering Sunday. Since Mothering has other connotations where I come from, I can't take it too seriously. But is IS serious. I just looked it up . I got this from Google
"Mothering Sunday is a day honouring mother churches, the church where one is baptised and becomes "a child of the church", celebrated since the Middle Ages in the United Kingdom, Ireland and some Commonwealth countries on the fourth Sunday in Lent."
Thank you Ann. I so appreciate your post and demonstration. I am speaking on transitions for older women and this will be very helpful. Thank you.
Thank you. You might also like my book, which goes into more detail about why I like being old. And if you don't want to bother reading a whole book, my post https://arichardson.substack.com/p/all-my-future-is-behind-me covers some of the same territory. I hope your talk goes well.
Thank you
What a wonderful post! I’m going to send it to my mama who turns 86 on Thursday. I don’t think she will be trying a handstand because I had a catastrophic neck injury two and a half years ago doing things in a private yoga no hyper mobile 60 year old should have been doing and still suffer the consequences. But it looks like fun and you are amazing at it! I’ll have a look out for your book too, which sounds delightful! Xxx
I hope your mother likes it. I hope I will still be able to do a headstand at 86, but who knows? Carpe diem. I also hope you enjoy my book. Let me know.
Amazing, I almost stand on my head in Pilates, using the moves known as short spine and long spine. Not nearly as hard as what you are regularly doing. Fab post! And thank you so for subscribing and writing back to me with your lovely reply to my Welcome Letter. I can't wait to read more about you here and in the interview with Debbie Weil!
Thanks and thanks for the re-stack.
Wow! Congrats!! I used to do the shoulder stand, but haven’t done it in years. You inspired me, I’m going to start again! What you’re doing looks a little different from, and more difficult than, the shoulder stand the way I learned it. Kudos!!!
What I am doing is headstand, not shoulder stand. I don't know if it is more difficult, but you need to be very strong before attempting it, as you are essentially using your arm and back muscles (as well as your neck) to carry your weight. I don't do shoulder stand any more because I was told it was bad for my neck. Doing any yoga is good. Good luck!
Thank you! And I’ll try Diana’s technique in her comment, using the wall, at least initially.
Do be VERY careful if you are trying headstands. I don't want to be responsible for anyone breaking their neck!! You are supposed to cup your hands in an open fashion and put your head in them and just try that with your backside in the air without trying to go up for awhile. And definitely start against a wall. That goes without saying.
Thank you!
I could even try to show you via zoom if you wanted, Where are you? I am in London.
Oh London, sounds wonderful! I am out in the countryside in Marshall, Virginia. What a nice offer! - Let’s do it after I get back from a trip, right now I should get off Substack altogether because my best friend of 40 years in Cincinnati, Ohio isn’t in good health. I’ve got to get things taken care of here, and just get out there to her as soon as possible. (Just writing this gives me more oomph and impetus! Thank you!! Now I really will get off Substack altogether until I’m in Cincinnati! 🤗 thank you for the impetus ♥️
I took Iyengar yoga for a few years and never mustered the courage for a headstand. Our teacher used to say that being upside down “teaches you to keep your head when everyone around you is losing theirs.”
Never heard that one before. A lot of people are frightened of doing it, which I can understand, but I took to it like a duck to water. And it's really very easy, once you are strong enough. There are a lot of yoga poses that are positively painful, but this one just feels good.
I feel the blood rush to my head and am instantly put off.
Ann, I absolutely love this post and your demonstration of headstand. Like you I've been practicing, and teaching asana for over 30 years. While I don't practice headstand anymore due to a neck issue, I do turn upside down with handstand and forearm balance. It's all that you've described! Nice to be here in the space with you.
Yoga is a wonderful practice! Impressed by your head stands!!
Just saw your comment to my comment on Office Hours. I immediately looked to your page, found this as the one I wanted to open, scrolled down to see how long it is (some of my early ones are so dang long) and saw the video instead. Brilliant. Love your tone and message.
Thanks. All my posts are short. (So am I, but that is completely irrelevant.). I want people to read them. And I am getting a slowly growing audience (from 25 family and friends last November to 400+ now). And I usually get 67% open rate. Maybe because of the limited frequency and the brevity. Or maybe I am brilliant, but I don't think so. Just thoughtful of my audience.
I think the combination of being brilliant and thought of your audience is the ticket. I've not been posting much. I will read more of yours and get myself going again! I do have 67% open rate as well.
No, I am not brilliant (not dim either) but I have been around the block a few times. Every writer should be thinking about their audience all the time - what do they know? what do they assume? how interested are they in what I am writing about? etc etc. There are some VERY good writers here on Substack @RobertReich @Garrison Keillor and numerous others, so I am pleased that anyone has time to read me as well. Perhaps I will put this comment (amended) onto Office Hours!
I'm well aware of so many and more coming all the time. I know that I have written things that are too long about people they never knew and knowing them in my words isn't an automatic at face value. Sometimes the most brilliant aren't the survivors because they carry a great burden with the gift. Not always, but often.
I am so glad to be on your mailing list. Happy Mother's Day -- do they do that in England?
Yes, but it is in March. And, believe it or not, it is called Mothering Sunday. Since Mothering has other connotations where I come from, I can't take it too seriously. But is IS serious. I just looked it up . I got this from Google
"Mothering Sunday is a day honouring mother churches, the church where one is baptised and becomes "a child of the church", celebrated since the Middle Ages in the United Kingdom, Ireland and some Commonwealth countries on the fourth Sunday in Lent."
Wow
All I said was thanks for the info.
I'm not surprised that you have lots of readers!
PS. Thanks for the compliment. Subscribers are growing quite quickly (no, not the people themselves, but the number of them).
Wow Ann, impressive moves!
You’re looking great!
Best wishes, Sue ( used to look after A and S).
Sue, tell me more - you used to look after my kids?? Don't recognise your name - is it a married name?. Do write me at ar@annrichardson.co.uk
Wow! Color me impressed! 😉
Oh, Ann, such fun to see you! I hike and swim but have never stood on my head. Maybe 81 is too old to start?
I regret you may be right about starting now. But you're very fit and healthy, last I knew.
I love it! I think inverted poses are remarkably beneficial.
I have not done a shoulder stand in many years. My downward dog is as close as I have come.
I may start edging my way up using the wall.
I'm 72 and perform a simple practice everyday.
Thanks for the good vibes you put out there for all of us.
I like all you posts, this is wonderful and makes me feel like doing yoga but I think it would be some time before I can join the upside-down!