Meeting the World's Oldest Yoga Teacher (+ Love Yoga Fest Pics!)

I spent most of this past weekend at Love Yoga Fest (Cape Cod's very own yoga festival), and am exhausted + sore but completely inspired, reinvigorated, and full. I feel so grateful to be a part of such a vibrant community on such a small peninsula, and even more grateful to have been a part of this weekend's activities. 

I was able to take three classes at the fest and teach one--along with my two regularly scheduled weekend morning classes--so it was quite the yoga-filled weekend for this gal. 

Although the entire weekend was incredible, the highlight was being in the presence of the world's oldest living yoga teacher, Tao Porchon-Lynch. 

At 97-years young, Tao is a force, a light, and a fountain of wisdom. She has an ethereal voice, a joyful, magnetic presence, and a love for people, nature, life, + yoga that is palpable. I don't know how explain it except to say that she seems like she's on another plane or another level; She's enlightened!

When it was time for her to teach, she walked across the grass to the tent in bright pink high heels. Despite having had three hip surgeries and a rod in her leg, she gets her hips into shapes that aren't accessible for about 75% of the population, all while exclaiming that she told the doctor "You don't tell me what my body can and cannot do! I am the boss of my body and I decide what it can do." 

Tao told us that every morning when she wakes up, she thinks, "This is going to be the best day of my life!" 

She taught us some of the little alignment cues that she, as she flippantly remarked, "taught to Iyengar" when they traveled around together.  She told us that when her time comes, she's going to dance her way to the next planet, and I wholeheartedly believe that she will. 

{I also heard that at the opening party, she turned down a glass of water and asked for wine instead, saying "I don't drink water, only wine."}

While I watched Tao up there, teaching, speaking, hopping around with a light in her eyes and calling herself a "child inside," I was struck by the incredible power of yoga, the human spirit, and the mind. Tao still shares her magnificent wisdom with the world--at 97!!!--and continues to preach that anything is possible. When looking into her eyes and watching her come into an arm balance, I believe it. 

A huge thanks to the Love Yoga Fest organizers for bringing Tao to the Cape and for bringing the New England yoga community together. Thanks to everyone who came to my class and shared your energy with me, and to all of the teachers who taught me this past weekend. 

I'm full ;) 

PS. Congrats to my Lenovo Bluetooth Speaker giveaway winner, Kerry M.! Thanks to all who entered. Kerry, check your inbox for details about claiming your prize! ;)