Staying Fit At 60 With Yoga

An inspiring story of Ritu Babbar (Khyaal Community Member)

“I was a hockey team captain at my college. Our team won many matches and got featured in the newspapers. I loved keeping myself physically active and engaged. Soon, I completed my degree in education and joined a life insurance company.

Later, I got married and my love for hockey was left behind. Then, I had to leave the job as I was expecting my first child. As years passed by, my child started going to school. In the back of my mind, I always felt I was doing nothing at home. Every day I used to think about how can I keep myself active and not spend my days sitting idle. After a continuous conflict in me, I came up with a catering business plan.

For the next 11 years, I ran my catering business successfully. In 2007, I realised for the past few years I was ignoring my health. I had put on a lot of weight and that’s when I decided to take care of myself. I began practising yoga and in 2008, I joined a yoga course. At the age of 42, I managed home and prepared myself for exams simultaneously. In 2009, I somehow completed the Yoga Teachers Training course by the Shri Aurobindo Society. I initiated teaching yoga in the same institute and also in 2 colleges as a visiting faculty.

7 years later, I established my yoga studio in Gurgaon. As days passed by, the studio worked in its full swing. I got a mixed batch of different age groups. People experienced brilliant transformation in them, and that gave me immense happiness. I designed yoga sessions as per the individual's needs. 

Then COVID-19 happened, and I had to shut down the studio. My heart wasn't in sync with giving a full stop to yoga. I figured out a way to deal with the situation. I held online yoga classes every day in the morning and evening. That time, my aim was very clear, even if I teach 10-12 people, they should see a transformation in them. 

Staying fit has always been my passion and now, at the age of 60, I feel I am young. 16 years of practising yoga has helped me find balance in my life. Yoga has directed me to follow a proper diet, enjoy every little moment in life, cherish each small or big achievement and alter my body for good. I conduct yoga sessions daily, do Suryamaskar for 30 to 40 mins and pranayam for a continuous 30 mins. Truly, over the years, my life has unfolded all the beautiful dimensions.” - Ritu Babbar (Khyaal Community Member)