Let's Carry the Tibetan Spirit into our Modern World

A strong whistle blow is the gentle way to announce that it is time for yoga class. The whistle belongs to Dewa Tsering, a resident of the Old Age Home in Katmandu. OAH is located in the area of Swayambunath and offers a home to about 40 elderly Tibetan refugees, who would not have one otherwise. Tashi Tsomo and her husband Lhakpa Tsering are in charge of running the home. They are in their thirties and live at OAH with their two children.

I was in Katmandu for two weeks, and after an earlier class at Keydong nunnery, see previous post, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/training-the-mind-to-change the-world_us_585733d2e4b06ae7ec2a3fdb , I would come every day to OAH to give a yoga class to the elderly.

At 10.30am, we gathered in the assembly hall, pushed away a few benches, tables and prayer wheels, then rolled carpets out. Tashi attended the class as well. Her presence was very helpful. Most of these Tibetan people do not speak English, so Tashi was translating for us. She also helped me assisting them in the postures. About fifteen elderly came to class every day, including Ani Tenzin, the oldest at 93, who wanted to try everything with a big smile on her face.

I loved their enthusiasm and willingness to learn. They were open to this new experience, so we did poses standing, sitting, kneeling, and lying on their stomachs or backs. We also included a lot of stretches of the shoulders, the chest, the back, which would help their posture. We did some self massage, specially of the hands, some neck movements, some balance practice. I could not help much with some badly aching knees, but we practiced some breathing techniques which helps lower blood pressure and that they could use on their own.

During class, they laughed about themselves, teased each other and myself, and I am not sure everything was translated back to me... By the second week, they could remember a lot of what we had been doing so it flowed better.

What amazed me the most was their spirit and the atmosphere of the class. Like all elderly, they had health issues, their bodies were achy and walking was slow. Yet, they seemed to be enjoying their new activity. They had had a tough life, had escaped Tibet after the Chinese invasion in 1959 and had lost their home again with the earthquake. They were sharing rooms and had no dining room. But Tibetan resiliency is legendary. Their house was being rebuilt and should be ready next spring. They had to put up with the construction noise and materials around, but that did not stop them from going through their day, specially turning their prayer wheels. Smiles, joined hands and Tashi Delek greeted me all the time, which was very touching.

Some mornings, I would find some OAH residents finishing their Kora around Swayambhunath temple and climbing back to the house one little step at a time. We would walk together and they always seemed so happy to see me or having their pictures taken.

It brings joy to me knowing that they have been able to continue doing some yoga since I left. Tashi really understood the purpose of what we were doing and I wrote some notes for her so she could teach a class.

I came to Katmandu just with the intention of providing a little help. But I discovered that I could not give the elderly Tibetans or the nuns at Keydong more than they were giving me. Their appreciation, gratitude and spirit were limitless, a valuable lesson for me to take home and inspire me to follow my own path with the same spirit.

The Tibetan Womens Associations staff and volunteers take great care of OAH regarding these seniors daily needs as well as regular accounting. I had the great pleasure to meet some of the ladies, including their President, Sherab Dolma. You can help supporting OAH through the American Himalayan Foundation, http://www.himalayan-foundation.org/live/home/home/