Hi everyone.
I have been reading some of the threads and find this community very interesting.
I started practicing Ashtanga Yoga at my local gym a few months ago, three to four times a week, and find it challenging and fascinating.
Given that I’m 64 years old, closer to 65, with just average flexibility, is there hope for me to ever master the inversions and balancing poses?
Not on a hurry, just curious as if I should be more realistic.
So far, I can shoulder stand on my own and head stand with the assistance of my teacher.
Thank you so much for your answers.
Sounds like you’re dong pretty good already. Welcome to the community.
New Practice, welcome to the forum! My salute to u! Yoga is hard and it sounds like you doing very well. O found this 80 yo woman very inspiring
Thanks for your encouragement!
Master?
Well had that not been the particular phrase chosen I’d have had one response. Since it is, I have another. A dedicated student in possession of the urge to grow, willingness to change, sound guidance, effort, and patience…that student will discover what a layperson might term “accomplishment” or “achievement”.
Given the five requisites of a yoga student (mentioned above) you may maintain your current expectations.
In my experience the postures are rarely mastered. I can think of about three people on the planet who’ve mastered asana, though I’m reasonably sure there are ten further, just when we start to be come smug with ourselves and allow our ego to convince us we’ve “gotten it”, “mastered it”, or are “past it” the Universe typically knocks us back on our posterior.
Gordon
[QUOTE=Newpractice;69054]Hi everyone.
Given that I’m 64 years old, closer to 65, with just average
flexibility, is there hope for me to ever master the inversions and
balancing poses? Not on a hurry, just curious as if I should be more
realistic. So far, I can shoulder stand on my own and head stand with
the assistance of my teacher. Thank you so much for your
answers.[/QUOTE]
Hi,
When I started yoga a few months ago (being 46) I immediately felt the
need to quickly master the headstand. To me this posture was symbolic of
yoga so I worked on it intensely at home without a wall and fell over a
lot. Not using a wall or any assistance made me progress much
faster and I became autonomous after a month or so. Sure, I rolled over
over my knuckles a lot when falling over but my body reacted by trying
to balance itself to make this abuse stop 
Just my two cents’
Thanks for the guidance
Wow! You started with Ashtanga?
I’m a few years behind you in age, but with you in spirit. But in some ways, it’s easier for us than for someone in their 20’s. We have some life experience and are a bit kinder to our bodies.
Love the journey
[QUOTE=zafu;69087]Hi,
When I started yoga a few months ago (being 46) I immediately felt the
need to quickly master the headstand. To me this posture was symbolic of
yoga so I worked on it intensely at home without a wall and fell over a
lot. Not using a wall or any assistance made me progress much
faster and I became autonomous after a month or so. Sure, I rolled over
over my knuckles a lot when falling over but my body reacted by trying
to balance itself to make this abuse stop
Just my two cents’[/QUOTE]
So funny you should say ‘headstand.’ For it was the backbend. And yes, after concentrating on the preparatory poses I was able to do a beautiful, strong backbend after about 3 months.
Headstand/handstands are on the list to learn also, but the backbend was my symbol.