Ooommmmmigod It's a Big Wave!

by Old Surfer Mom
(Galveston, Tx)

I do yoga. Being over fifty I just can't do a lot I used to do because I have arthritis in several main joints, so I have to be real careful about stretching and warming up. Yoga at home or on the beach seems to do the trick and I swear it helps you heal when you get bunged up physically or mentally.

In fact, it's the only I ever surfed after the first time when I got whacked on the head by my borrowed board when I wiped out just after getting up for the first time. I was a really bad swimmer back then, in college, and probably had no business surfing, but got talked into it. A guy I knew had me do some yoga right then after they dragged my on shore to calm me down and make me get over being scared silly. I've used to to do that ever since, and past forty found it made me able to do a little more than I can do without it.

I do use the "Om mani padme hmmmmmm" when I do the yoga a lot and I've done it on the board to stay cool as well. There are postures just about anyone can do , so even you aren't old and gnarly yet, try it.