On a cloudy Wednesday evening in mid-September, Charlotte Chopin assumed the position she has held for more than 40 years.
Dressed in a loose-fitting striped cotton top and pants, her short white hair a bit wild, she called her students to attention and began guiding them through stretches, encouraging them to follow her lead.
To a newcomer, Ms. Chopin’s slight build and reserved demeanor might initially be mistaken for frailty. Then they’d watch her do a series of warrior poses — her feet firmly planted on the ground, her arms stick straight, her form effortlessly flowing from one posture to the next.
Since 1982, Ms. Chopin, now 102 years old, has taught yoga in Léré, a French village in the Loire region. Its windy roads are lined with ramshackle homes and local businesses, many of the storefronts seemingly abandoned. You may encounter a sheep or donkey, but little else.
Nestled in this landscape is her studio — a small, square room with walls painted peach and housed inside a former police station. Its changing rooms were once jail cells. Her students that night were four local women, ranging in age from 35 to 60.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access.
Already a subscriber? Log in.
Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
The post A 102-Year-Old Yoga Teacher’s Simple Approach to Aging Well appeared first on New York Times.
