Donna started practicing yoga as a foundation to transition from her hectic work schedule into retirement. She reports that yoga is helping her to focus on the present, develop an appreciation for life-balance, redefine her parameters in terms of the possibilities as a retiree, and inspire new adventures.
Earlier this year, Donna and her husband traveled to Peru, where they hiked part of the Inca trail near Machu Picchu. She attributes her success in hiking this ancient path of the Incas to her yoga practice. The high altitude required that she manage her breathing, and climbing over the large boulders on the trail drew upon her improved core strength. We’ve enclosed a picture of Donna in “Warrior” pose as she reached the Sun Gate above Machu Picchu.
Donna also lived aboard a dive vessel this past summer in the Marshall Islands, where she was further inspired by others who share her passion for yoga. “Seeing women in their 70’s and 80’s maneuvering heavy dive gear, maintaining “Tree” pose out in a choppy ocean, and leading our group on island explorations reaffirm the tremendous power of a lifelong yoga practice,” says Donna. She’s excited about the person she is becoming in retirement–and looks forward to new adventures on the yoga mat…and in her travels. – Archive Yoga Hillsboro Newsletter Article, 2006.