You think you are too old to learn to move better? Meet my 87 year old mom!
Consider this: if you aren’t moving well now, you aren’t going to move any better as you get older.
Yes, it takes some effort and commitment on your part but being able living a happier life in which you can pursue all your favorite activities is well worth it, don’t you think?
Are you too old to learn to move better?
The answer is: NO! You continue to learn, including to learn to move better, until your last breath.
Here is a case study for you: my mother, 87-year old, who hasn’t exercised other than occasional short walks for years. She lives by herself and uses a walker. She couldn’t really lift her left arm and her standing posture tended to be too forward.
In early 2020 we decided it was a good time to start some movement sessions as she hardly left her house due to the lockdown. Since she lives in Germany, we did Skype sessions 3 times a week - first only about 15 min and now - about a year later - about an hour long.
It’s been wonderful to see the progress she’s made!
Initially, we did only seated exercises and focused on shoulder mobility, stability, standing up and sitting down mechanics. Then we added cognitive tasks as well as movements while she was walking in her room. Dual-tasking (for example, counting her steps in even numbers while doing standing - supported on the walker - knee lifts) added some more complexity. We also do balance exercises, vision drills and much more!
My 87-year-old mom having lots of fun!