Yoga teacher Bette, 83, on top of the world
Melbourne yoga instructor Bette Calman may be 83, but with 40 years of teaching under her belt, she is a living example that healthy exercise can keep you fit and nimble.
“I’m living proof that if you keep at it you’ll get there. I can do more than I did 50 years ago.
“The body is a remarkable instrument – it can stretch and stretch and get better all the time. Forget age”.
Bette Calman has written three books on yoga, was a pioneer of yoga exercise in Australia in the 1950s, ran centres for 33 years and made regular TV appearances in the 1970s.
After thinking she would take it easy in later life in Melbourne, she renewed her teaching as interest in yoga rekindled.
“I came here to retire but my daughter Susie, who’s also a teacher, kept being pestered for fill-in teachers at her health centre. That was eight years ago,” Ms Calman said.
Now she takes up to eleven classes a week.
“Never have I gone to a yoga class and wished I was somewhere else. I know I’m going to come out feeling on top of the world,” she said.
