Mountain Pose

I went to college in the mid-1950s at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. They offered the option of a path to becoming a physical therapist: three years of prerequisites (including biology, anatomy, etc.) and senior year at an approved school offering the course in physical therapy. I chose Cleveland Clinic’s 14-month course at the Frank E. Bunts Institute. 

It was an excellent program with lectures from Cleveland Clinic’s top-notch doctors. In the winter, we had Saturday classes using the equipment. Our class of 12 bonded over these experiences. The last five months were spent in various clinics and hospitals in the area. One of my favorites was a preschool for children with disabilities. 

When my own children were in school, I became a PT for the Kalamazoo Public Schools Special Education — a job I had for 25 years. 

In my retirement, now at 83, I teach yoga, mostly to senior women. 

One of the most important poses is mountain pose (tadasana), which emphasizes good posture. Stand with your feet directly under your hips, balance your weight, engage your leg muscles and your pelvic floor and “zip up” from your pubic bone to your sternum. Tie an imaginary drawstring around your waist, lift your shoulders, bring your shoulder blades back and down, tuck in your chin and extend the back of your neck. Practicing this pose daily will prevent slumping as we age.

Nancy Martin Diment didn’t let the pandemic interrupt her yoga practice. Her son helped her buy a laptop and a friend taught her how to use Zoom so classes could continue online.