NOTE: This blog post was written in 2012, and as of this update (July 2015) Esther is still alive and well at 98!!!
Today I have the great pleasure of sharing an interview I just did with an amazing lady, my friend Esther Vexler. She's a
95-year-old yoga teacher who currently teaches yoga at the
Synergy Studio in San Antonio, Texas. She has a very loyal following, including students and fellow teachers. She keeps busy with her students, a writing group, yoga, her 98-year-old husband, as well as her "comfortable" family.
Please sit back, relax, and enjoy this interview with Esther - I know I did!
When did you first find out about
yoga?
I didn’t
know about yoga til the early 60s. I learned from friends who were studying
yoga in Mexico. I was visiting them and we did yoga together. Before, I thought
yoga was about lying on a bed of nails. I had some funny ideas of what it was
really about.
What was the first asana (yoga pose)
you tried?
The first posture
I learned was "lion." Undoubtedly the ugliest asana. I laughed and thought “This
is so funny.”
How did you begin teaching yoga?
I looked for
a yoga teacher in San Antonio and even in Austin, but there wasn’t one. So I bought
a book. And so I started teaching from the book. Once I finally found a teacher,
she actually asked me “Can I teach with you?” I said: “You’re probably a lot
better than I am,” but anyhow we began teaching senior citizens together. “Above all, do
no harm” was our idea. So I started teaching seriously in 1968.
Did you always teach yoga or did you
have another career?
When I was in my 50s, I went back to get a master’s degree in urban studies. When I was
working on it for low income housing, I was very idealistic and wanted to help
communities. It led to my doctorate eventually. But of course, I decided to
make yoga my career. And all that began because the president of the university
said “Why don’t you teach at UTSA?” I replied: “Because nobody asked me!” So he
gave me his card and said to call this person. Before that, I’d always just
taught yoga for free. But a friend told me that I had to start charging if I wanted
to be professional.
What are some of your other teaching experiences?
There was a
nun who had a great idea. We saw the potential in teaching young people (mostly
girls) at a dropout school. Our object was to help girls who were kicked out of
school. Some were pregnant, unwanted, and most had families who didn’t seem to
care about them. They had no place to be. They would walk in with chips and
cokes for breakfast. I told them they were going to learn yoga and learn how to
respect their bodies. Learn how to eat. We offered them fruits and no soft
drinks and things like that and it was a great hit.
Also, I love
seeing my students grow in yoga. One student wanted to open up a yoga school in
my name. I feel good about that, but I try not to have an ego about it. When I teach,
I stress that aspect of practicality. You don’t just come to class, you have to
take it into your life all the time.
What is your secret for looking so
young and beautiful?
That’s
interesting. Most of us come from our genes. I have a pretty mother with pretty
skin. My mother had nine children to bring up, and I was the baby. Actually, a secret
ingredient is being married to the right person.
What have you enjoyed about getting
older?
Oh, I’ve had
so many satisfactions. Everything. I really have enjoyed growing.
We continue
to grow from the minute we’re born. Sometimes there are a few pitstops along
the way. OLD is when you stop growing. And you don’t have to stop. You can have
those few pitfalls but you come back and you continue growing.
Do you have any advice for women,
specifically?
Don’t worry
so much about things – your clothes being up to date, your hair, your house
being perfect. Women especially worry too much about these things. As you grow
older, you realize how unimportant these things are. People and love, that’s what’s
important.
What life lesson have you learned
that served you the most?
A new consciousness
of myself. And learning how to build up self-confidence. We tend to think about
what’s wrong with our bodies, and not what’s right about them. Think more about
what’s right - there is so much right.
What advice would you give on eating
a healthy diet for a long life? What is your diet like?
Our daughter
became a vegetarian when she was getting her PhD. So, we decided to try it out
too, because she was so enthusiastic about it. So, 45 years ago we stopped
eating meat. We just don’t have the need for it. Also, more fruits and vegetables. Less salt.
What has kept you dedicated to your
yoga practice? How do you stay motivated?
I’m still
learning from my students. It’s a two-way street. If they see I’m enjoying it,
they enjoy it more. Make it a pleasant habit, not a forced learning experience.
Don’t come to me for exercise. Come to me for what you get along with the
exercises.
What is your opinion of hot yoga? My
yoga teacher doesn’t recommend it.
I don’t
really believe in hot yoga either. A lot of people have high blood pressure and
don’t know it, and hot yoga isn’t safe for them. Plus, in hot yoga you can
overdo and overstretch. Everything is wrong – you’re overheated and you don’t
know what’s wrong with you. It’s not yoga, just more of a hot exercise class. Yoga
is about the total person. It isn’t stressful, and it should be relaxing. Hot yoga
is a stressor.
What do you attribute to your
longevity?
Partly diet,
partly exercise. Maybe the most important thing is love and affection. We’re a very
comfortable family. Comfort is a big word. There is a lot of love.
Do you have any favorite quotes?
“It depends
on your perspective. Growing old is a great idea. You can accentuate the
growing or you can accentuate the old.”
“You only
live once. Make the most of it.” – Dr. Seuss
Like the Buddhists
say “You have to be in this moment and move on.” I guess people believe me when
I say this because I just had my 95th birthday.
Thanks so much, Esther! You inspire us with your gentleness, grace, and beauty in every way!
