An inspiring yoga instructor, skilled massage specialist and others are acknowledged as I celebrate a 14th yoga anniversary, improving whole body mobility and encouraging lipid panel data, a good nutrition status.
A REWARDING ASSOCIATION
RAY & BOB
FOLLOWING
A YOGA SESSION WITH RAY HOYT
[AUGUST 6, 2023]
PHOTO BY DH
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"For your continued positive roles and verbal support, I remain grateful and motivated."
I wrote these words to Ray in January, 2017; they apply now as they did then.
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EMBRACING NECESSARY CHANGE,
REMAINING FOCUSED & DISCIPLINED
Ray provided empirical insights and effective ways (yoga, massage, nutrition, mindfulness among others) to address:
- decades of painful 'back' plus spinal anomalies, mobility issues
- alarmingly compromised breathing from a thoracic pectus excavatum condition, asthma and allergies
- unhealthy nutrition decisions originating during the 1950's and 1960's that has contributed to atherosclerosis.
____
I had no expectation that our initial conversations about massage would later evolve into a active and still evolving yoga practice that has been:
(1) transformative, still enhancing my overall health
(2) a valued physical activity that enables me to move better at 72 than 22.
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On this first day of my 14th year, I provide below brief comments recalling specific interactions with Ray and his teaching assistants, others.
[1]
TUI NA MASSAGE
INITIAL SESSIONS
ADDRESSED
'LOWER BACK' PAIN
My decision to act on a recommendation to meet with Ray seeking relief from chronic back discomfort, pain among other issues using massage has led to positive health outcomes.
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Scheduled sessions with Ray over many years were effective in facilitating the recovery of long neglected body regions including the neck, shoulders, back, pelvic, arms and legs.
By the end of 2017 I had benefitted from over 60 massages.
I also had acquired knowledge from an active yoga practice to use various yoga props to address areas of discomfort and, or pain without using any over the counter, prescribed medications.
MORE RECENTLY
UPPER TORSO INJURY FOCUS
An opportunity to continue monthly massage meetings with Ray was accepted following the extensive upper torso soft tissue trauma I incurred from a car accident during March, 2021.
I will meet with Ray today for another valued massage on this yoga anniversary - enabling me to thank him in person for both maintaining and improving my whole body mobility, overall health status.
[2]
INTRODUCTNG
NON-IMPACT WHOLE BODY MOBILITY
ACQUIRING
STRENGTH, BALANCE, FLEXIBILITY
CONTROLLED BREATHING
A CALM MIND
I smile recalling the first brief positive greeting with Ray before the start of an evening yoga class he led in a local Webster, MA gym.
Despite my having no previous formal yoga training or familiarity with the asanas being demonstrated, it was understood these type of whole body movements offered a significant and improved alternative to those activities (including light weights, treadmill use, low seat stationary bike) I had been doing for several years without addressing increasing health issues.
SHORT & LONG TERM
PERSONAL HEALTH BENEFITS
It was obvious to me the hatha yoga Ray taught based on the teaching tradition of Yoga Master B. K. S. Iyengar could provide over time a way to transform the body of a senior.
Lifestyle decisions were made address long neglected heath needs - establishing reasonable daily objectives:
- to learn safely how to become more mobile
- to make better, informed nutrition decisions
OUR TALENTED INSTRUCTORS
I and the diverse mostly female, limited male students who regularly attended Ray's classes at different locations over many years formed the core of our yoga community.
All students benefitted from the passion, commitment and excellent teaching by Ray Hoyt and the two talented Assistant Instructors, Patty Tremblay and Jen Sigismondo, he chose to elevate and to assist, complement him.
RAY HOYT
YOUNG, LEAN, STRONG, MOBILE
These two online images I edited show Ray before our initial meeting and demonstrate a long appreciated ability done well: to maintain a steady balance on his feet, hands and, not shown, his head.
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My early participation in large group yoga classes taught by Ray began in a gym in Webster, MA.
I also was permitted to participate in a smaller class within a Temple in Oxford, MA.
At each location, Ray demonstrated his passion for yoga and effective teaching skills: how to safely approach each asana.
___
These classes were enjoyable and often humbling as I was challenged by many movements, breathing limitations.
It was in The Yoga Loft, however, where I had more opportunities to seek and realize many of my short and long term objectives.
&
Maintaining the discipline to document all asanas done during all classes attended at this location and elsewhere has provided a valuable record to critically evaluate and access my mobility progress.
THE YOGA LOFT
DUDLEY, MA
[February, 2011 - December, 2017]
Ray established an impressive yoga studio in an upper floor area of a former Mill that continued to evolve over years enabling hatha yoga instruction for students at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.
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Our first evening session occurred on February 7, 2011.
The smaller class sizes enabled more ways to experience the teaching and execution of asanas.
1
INFRASTRUCTURE
Mechanical additions to the studio over time included ceiling fans, wall heaters and a floor air conditioner.
A audio enthusiast, Ray introduced high quality sound systems of various size resulting in an option to experience diverse music, sounds.
2
PROPS
His vision for The Yoga Loft included the presence of many props to facilitate mobility: among others, a wall ladder, wall ropes, yoga blocks, straps, blankets, a rug, back bending devices and chairs.
These tools complemented student movements on yoga mats - most asanas were done alone, at times with a partner or with a smaller group of participants.
3
A BASIC PHILOSPHY
Ray emphasized safety and encouraged all participants, whether experienced or a novice, to move within their abilities and not to force any particular whole body motion.
Be compassionate to yourself was his mantra.
&
He had an ability to communicate well with students of all ages and body types; all students were treated with respect and dignity and not made to feel uncomfortable.
What Ray always said and emphasized: if you are not able to do a suggested movement, do something else.
At no time was a student pressured to do something that made them uncomfortable during my tenure.
4
ASANA DEMONSTRATIONS
Ray frequently instructed by demonstrating an asana himself or by requesting selected students with specific abilities to do a posture alone or with him as shown below.
RAY & PATTY
NOTE
Patty was adept entering inverted postures and capable of holding them for long durations (1-2 minutes); it also was a treat watching her deep backbends at the wall ladder on many occasions among other challenging asanas.
GOOD MEMORIES
Among many valued yoga experiences were those opportunities when I was:
- asked to demonstrate an asana while the instructor spoke
- to assist others with their asana mobility as partners.
5
DEMONSTRATING
MY MOBILITY PROGRESS
STRENGTH, BALANCE & FLEXIBILITY
WITH
FOCUSED BREATHING AND MIND
2016
PHOTO BY LM
This image, taken before an evening class by a fellow student, is among my favorites.
A challenging asana for many including me, requiring coordination of all body regions, it documents one good example of whole body mobility progress I achieved and still maintain from a novice status.
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In the future I will share more recent evidence of advanced mobility capabilities including several challenging asanas done following my upper torso injury.
ADDITIONAL
QUALITY INSTRUCTON
BY
PATTY TREMBLAY
I first recognized Patty's yoga skills as a student in Ray's evening sessions and, at times, as the instructor who taught his classes during an absence at the gym and The Yoga Loft.
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Patty excelled as an Assistant Instructor, especially good at selecting asana sequences, allocating time for partner asanas.
An especially rewarding yoga development period for me occurred from May, 2013 to December, 2017 with the opportunity to meet with Patty for one-on-one partner yoga sessions.
[Over 460 meetings occurred during this valued time period]
Our many morning yoga sessions, initially held at a local gym and later moved into The Yoga Loft, included around twenty asanas.
&
Many of my whole body mobility improvements began to be photographed by Patty after our sessions during 2015
These images served as an excellent source of self-evaluation and provided further motivation to practice daily towards improving my abilities.
I have always valued Ray's generous offer for us to use The Yoga Loft for our partner meetings, for Patty's invitation to practice yoga with her.
These were positive, life-changing experiences.
&
JEN SIGISMONDO
It did not take long to notice Jen when she first appeared in our evening gym yoga classes.
She was among the several youthful women in the class having a supple spine and an ability to do standing backbends.
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I learned Jen, as a former competitive gymnast, had the ability to not only have her hands reach the floor in the standing backbend but to further move into a handstand.
NOTE
The above image demonstrates Ray spotting Jen in the challenging SCORPION asana and highlights one of the diverse mobility abilities she shared during our classes.
Not surprisingly, there were many WOW!!! times from me - followed by a huge smile of appreciation.
AN APPRECIATION
As an individual with extensive restricted backward spinal mobility, I was beyond impressed and enjoyed seeing how a more healthy and supple body was capable of moving.
Ray having Jen demonstrate specific advanced movements were always a treat for me..
In time, Ray offered her an opportunity like Patty to become an Assistant Instructor and to teach her own classes.
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During January, 2015 Jen taught her first class in The Yoga Loft.
I enjoyed the classes she led and being introduced to new movements along with those done more frequently.
GOOD MEMORIES
Jen was generous and provided various appreciated occasions for me to demonstrate movements to her classes - at times with success but not always.
These many years later I still recall one evening her providing support to enable further movement into a forward split with an upright torso.
ACKNOWLEDGING
OUR
DIVERSE & COMMITTED
YOGA COMMUNITY
All three of my instructors have expressed thanks to the individuals attending their classes - appreciating their interest and dedication.
One truth I have long recognized is the ability to learn from others: our classes emphasized instruction and, as a consequence, we all benefitted.
AND
EXTENDING A SPECIAL APPRECIATION
TO
A LONG TIME VALUED PARTNER, DG
MY CONDO YOGA STUDIO
I first set up a functional yoga studio in my condo small living room in 2014 as a location to practice what was being taught by RAY in the many group classes being attended.
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At various times I had opportunities to instruct hatha yoga to male and females at various ages - one-on-one, one-on-two - often modifying asanas to accommodate individual-specific mobility limitations, restrictions and/or injuries.
These interactions further enhanced my knowledge as a teacher and practitioner - better appreciating the challenges each person had to confront given past, current mind-body issues.
NOTE
For a brief period I was meeting with clients in their homes and providing customized yoga instruction following a detailed written assessment of their whole body mobility capabilities including a history of injures, trauma and other information.
STARTING
TWO DAILY YOGA SESSIONS
The unfortunate loss of access to THE YOGA LOFT in December, 2017, led to a significant decision: my intention to engage in both morning and evening yoga sessions beginning on January 1, 2018.
A SOURCE
OF
SATISFACTION, ACCOMPLISHMENT
On December 31, 2023 I will have successfully completed six years of am and pm yoga - maintaining detailed daily records of the customized sequences of asanas I did during this time, when whole body mobility was possible without limitations, during various injuries.
I still have an interest and do consider sharing my yoga experiences as a senior with others at a future date.
A
NUTRITION STATUS
UPDATE
BACKGROUND
Elevated cholesterol levels from blood lipid panel assays in June, 2021 led me to have a non-invasive imaging of calcium in four coronary arteries.
The resulting calcium score data provided empirical evidence of atherosclerosis, the evaluation citing me at a 'high statistical risk' of experiencing a coronary event during the next five years.
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My Geriatric Specialist Dr. Jarrod Faucher recommended taking Rosuvastatin (40 mg) and Aspirin (81 mg) daily.
Significant benefits resulted from taking the statin, aspirin along with focusing on daily consumption of real and largely unprocessed food sources.
NOTE
Below I share six lipid panel values (mg/dL) from August, 2023 when daily statin, aspirin were taken during the previous 13 months and compare those to the June, 2021 numbers when no statin, aspirin medications were prescribed.
A WELCOMED OUTCOME
LIPID PANEL DATA
[AUGUST, 2023 vs. JUNE, 2021]
TOTAL CHOLESTEROL ... 135 vs. 276
TRIGLYCERIDES ........... 52 109
HDL CHOLESTEROL ....... 67 64
NON-HDL CHOLESTEROL.. 68 212
LDL CHOLESTEROL .......... 55 193
APOLIPOPROTEIN B ........ 59 140
SIGNIFICANCE
Dr. Faucher and I were encouraged by these lipid panel data.
These improved lab assay results validate the main approaches I have taken and currently follow to address a daily nutrition goal (= how to eat well):
- consume real food, mostly plants in small amounts
&
- limit my eating to only 8-9 hours
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Not surprisingly, I continue to enjoy each morning locally sourced & hand crafted diverse seasonal menu selections at THE ROSE ROOM in WEBSTER, MA.
[1] Owners JESS & BILL SABINE have created a unique and much appreciated local food business that has served the community with distinction since its opening.
[2] JESS and her skilled professional, friendly staff continue to welcome and provide patrons with excellent food and drink service in a positive environment.
COMPELLING EVIDENCE
I now have empirical data that one can eat healthy at this establishment and thoroughly enjoy meal options throughout the year.
Permission to bring in my own morning food (plant-based supplements) to complement what I purchase is a welcomed and much appreciated bonus.
CURRENT READING
I will share some thoughts about this recent publication in a future post.
The subject matter reminded of earlier books:
- Michael Pollan [FOOD RULES, 2009]
- Michael Moss [SALT SUGAR FAT (2013) & HOOKED (2021)]
Unfortunately, their public health warnings have been largely ignored by the public to date.
BIG FOOD remains a national health threat.
A WALKING UPDATE
I have walked every day to date during 2023.
SHARE YOUR COMMENTS
BOB CROWTHER - NUTRITION - YOGA
