Lifelong
Practice
BEN AND TOMMIJEAN THOMAS BY JOSEPHINE LAZARUS
On March 23, 2014, I had the good fortune to spend most of the day with Ben and Tommijean Thomas at their home in Oro Valley, Arizona. Ben is 76 and Tommijean is 73. They generously shared their thoughts on yoga, teaching, and aging. We had a lot of laughs and some tears. Josie Lazarus: What are your
best effort? Do I back away or
physical challenges in teaching as
confront the issue? Every day is a
you age?
balance of what to do. The mind and ego must examine the self-image. Age
Tommijean Thomas: I’ve taught
and maturity have helped me come to
mostly private lessons since the
understand my nature.
age of 68. I used to teach very large classes, which included students
JL: What are the issues your aging
who may not have been aware of
students face? Has your student
how to follow the principles. One
population aged along with you?
has to maintain control, i.e., no talking, giving 100 percent attention—and to attend.
Tommijean and Ben Thomas in the courtyard garden of their home in Oro Valley, Arizona. Photo: Alfio Procopio
BT: I understand the concept of divinity within (Sutra I.3) better, and
therefore, it is more teachable. Similarly the concept of Ben Thomas: How you demonstrate only on one side then walk
contentment, regardless of life’s challenges. It’s important for
around is not good for the body. I am more conscious of myself
my students to come to their own understanding. Students give
and my joints as I practice and teach. For example, I don’t
me their joy of personal evolution.
demonstrate Pincha Mayurasana anymore. I am not able to demonstrate as much due to my own issues.
JL: What are the spiritual changes that you have noticed in yourselves and your students?
As I age, I have to be aware that the ego doesn’t get in the way. Balance is more of an issue in many asanas, such as Vrksasana.
BT: As a rule, young people don’t care as much about knowledge
Now I use a wall. It’s good for students to see how their teacher
or the relevance of change. My life perspective has changed; I am
is aging. They are like us, and it is helpful for the student to
more at ease with life. Pride is a factor, seeing the changes as a
observe how we handle what we go through over time.
blessing rather than focusing on I what can’t do.
JL: What are your physical challenges in your own practice as
I have more compassion and contentment. Yogis have the
you age?
opportunity to enter into contentment with the mental perspective to counterbalance the physical decline.
TJT: Guruji said to us, “It is not what you do, it is how you do.” The poses change. The practice has become more of an
TJT: My practice is more spiritual. I spend more time alone
internal, private practice. It is more self-focused. I find I do
focusing on devotion and prayer and surrendering myself. I
more writing. Yoga saved my life after having four children and
cannot imagine not having that time. I have lost the desire for
developing problems with my legs and bad circulation.
achievement, but I do experience those scared moments. I am indebted to B.K.S. Iyengar for this.
BT: I asked B.K.S. Iyengar at various stages, about every 10 years, “What is your practice at age 68?” He said, “How much
JL: What does retirement mean for you as a teacher?
more can I do?” Then 10 years later, he said, “How much can I maintain?” At age 85, he said, “Can I age gracefully? What is
BT: The opportunity to experience beauty in life and nature.
that? I have to have support on the stairs. The joints become a
The ability to contemplate youth versus maturity. To be part of
problem. I must evolve and adapt.”
the change to a new phase of life. There is less need to attract more students, but I’m grateful that I can teach and share. It is
I do more self talk: What can I do with full attention and my Spring/Summer 2015 Yoga Samachar
a time to truly appreciate and resolve issues with life itself. 37
