Want to meet my Thrivespan hero? I have known him all my life. He is my dad, Alan Elliott, and he is the spry, septuagenarian yoga instructor in gorgeous Eden, Utah. Want to know the coolest part? My dad didn't even start his yoga journey until he was 66 years old.
Let that sink in for a bit! Whenever I hear my inner voice telling me "It's too late to start this" or "guess I will never have a chance to do that, "I repeat that salient fact in my mind: My dad didn't even take his first yoga class until well into his sixties, and then he liked it so much, he became an instructor! At that time, he studied, trained, earned his certification, and started teaching. Now, a decade later, yoga helps keep both my parents in shape. Even more impactful, in every session my dad teaches around 15 - 25 committed, passionate, amazing humans -- ages 60 - 80!
Gaining Perspective by Living in the Moment and Reflecting Back from the Future
When we create stories in our minds of "I did not succeed here" or "I didn't achieve what I wanted to there," remember that we don't know how it all turns out. We don't know who is being impacted by us, by our actions, by our words. It's possible my dad, at 66, might have thought "I could have accomplished more." I don't know. But, little did he know, at 66, he was just getting started on touching these lives, in this wonderful way. We don't know where things lead when we are in the midst of living life. Like the Thrivespan peacock, it's only when we are at the end of a chapter, proudly looking back over our shoulders, that we truly start to gain a clear perspective on what things meant and where they were leading.
Hard Work and Gumption
"Your dad must be a rich dude with nothing but time on his hands." Nope! Not even close! My dad, one of the hardest workers and kindest humans I have ever known, never got rich and didn't retire until he was 74. He has worked hard, every day of his life. I'm not totally sure he would have retired at all, had it not been for Covid shutting down the world in 2020. Who knows?
My dad did not wait to retire to start his yoga practice and instruction. Rather, he looked forward at age 66 to what he wanted to experience in life--his grandchildren, their achievements, their graduations, their growth. He looked around at the wonderful relationships and community surrounding him and chose to boldly venture into his next decades healthy, inspired, and making an impact.
He realized that he had an important choice and agency in the next twenty or thirty, years of his life's journey, so he took action. And what action he took! He completed a 200-hour teacher training program based on Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Standards, and years later completed another 125 hours of Yoga Wellness Educator Training. He has taught over 600 classes and continues to take classes to stay current.
Our Thrivespan includes every Stage of Life
Our Thrivespan is not just about the later stages in our lives. Not at all. Our Thrivepsan is how we balance non-goal-oriented meaning, goal-oriented drive, and health and wellness at every stage of our lives. At some stages or moments in our lives, we might put more emphasis on finding our purpose, at other times on an obsessive drive for success, and yet others more on our health and wellness. It is not imperative (or even realistic) that we have all three tenets in perfect balance at all times. The important part is that we do not completely ignore any of the tenets, since they all work in concert with each other.
The Three Tenets: Purpose, Success, and Longevity
My dad's decision to pursue yoga in his 60s is a beautiful example of the three tenets of his Thrivespan in balance, all influencing and driving each other. His purpose was to connect with himself at a deeper level, to cultivate the energy to support and keep up with his loved ones, and to contribute to his community. His Purpose was unconditional, pure, and inspired by joy and meaning.
My dad's Success tenet was in full force as well. He didn't just talk about doing the thing. He didn't just dream of doing the thing. He didn't only plan on doing the thing. Rather, at age 66, he set a goal, implemented a plan, and truly did the thing. Setting goals, creating drive, and working towards success all highlight elevated levels of dopamine--our brain's molecules that are closely related to our sense of motivation. When our dopamine levels are elevated, we are able to focus our attention on outward goals, and we experience the drive to achieve them. My dad didn't just decide to try yoga at 66. He signed up for classes, learned from coaches and instructors, and even took Buddhism classes at his local University to learn more. He set goals, showed up, applied himself, and succeeded.
The Longevity aspects of my dad's yoga practice probably seem obvious. Clearly, flexibility, stability, strength, etc. Did you know one of the most accurate indicators of longevity is how long we can balance on one leg? Try it. See if you can balance for 30 seconds on one leg. For an even greater challenge, see how long you can balance with your eyes closed. Now, think of the implications of being able to do the tree pose at age 77. Beyond the obvious physical impacts of yoga, it's impossible to put too much emphasis on the longevity impacts of community-building, relationship-fostering, and sense of belonging. In Dan Buettner's Blue Zones and the accompanying Netflix series Living to 100, we see example after example of the intangible and undeniable benefits of community, belonging, and relationships to our longevity. My dad's yoga practice doesn't just improve his life, it also impacts, improves, and inspires the lives of those who practice yoga because of my dads's decision to teach and be of service to others.
Our Thrivepsan Heroes
That's my dad, Alan Elliott! Take his yoga class and say hello if you ever are in Eden, Utah. Who is your Thrivespan hero?
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