Everyday Transcendence — NYT’s The Ages of Man
Meditation, making each breath count — inspiration, expiration — movement and stillness: this is how yoga creates a foundation in elderhood for everyday transcendence, for the natural turn toward a more meditative way of life that Lars Tornstam calls gerotranscendence.
It’s a word missing from the New York Times Op Chart: The Ages of Man. All is not lost, however. Where some see decrepitude and decay, others see wisdom and reflection (it would be interesting to know the ages of those creating the descriptions). For those of us lucky enough to have integrated yoga’s practices — such as allowing deep, mindful breaths to move us, like the wind moves a leaf — into our days and nights, it seems Lars had the right idea.
photo by sally morrow gomez
