The best way to live is to lead a life that is inspirational for others. That is something that satisfies the soul. The story of this 98 years old yogi ‘Mrs. Tao Porchon-Lynch is all about teaching, guiding and helping others. She is a yoga teacher from last 75 years. She was nominated as the oldest living yoga instructor by Guinness World Records in 2012. She has also been a part of Athleta’s ‘Power of She’ campaign. And she did an amazing photo shoot for it as well. Even at this age, she is actively participating in changing lives. What makes her do all the great things in life is her philosophy of life i.e. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE’. Let’s find out where it all started from.
Her Childhood
Tao Porchon-Lynch
She is the resident of New York from past several years. But her childhood belongs to India. And that was the place where her life changing journey of a yogi started off. According to her, she was just 8 (in India) when one day she saw a few boys practicing yoga. Finding it interesting she expressed her willingness to learn that. But she was discouraged by saying that it was not something suitable for girls. But she had made her mind and joined the yoga classes with those boys. And there was no looking back after that.
Her Daily Routine
Tao Porchon-Lynch
We hear a lot about the benefits of yoga practice. Mrs. Tao is the best example of it. With the power of yoga, she has been able to get her undying energy. She follows a strict routine every day and feels quite confident about that. Waking up on 5 a.m., she spends her morning hours (till 8.30. a.m.) in her yoga studio. Then she continues her day as a yoga instructor. She is scheduled for five yoga lessons in a week. You will often spot her in the streets of NY, actively driving her smart car. Beside this, she travels around the globe in a number of yoga workshops to inspire people with her immense talent.
Her Mantras of Life
Tao Porchon-Lynch
Tao tries her best to lead a positive and stress free life and she credits this positivity to her yoga practice. She expressed her views in her interview to Huffington post in these words, “Never put negative thoughts in your mind because it goes right into your body,” she said. “When you wake up in the morning, say, ‘This is going to be the best day of my life.’ People say I changed their life. I didn’t change their life. I just taught them to use their breath.”
Her Students
Tao Porchon-Lynch
She has been a great teacher to thousands of students, nationally and internationally. Her students just love her for everything that she does. This is not it, Tao has a great fan following on social media as well.
What is Yoga?
Tao Porchon-Lynch
To her, yoga is the ‘union with your inner self.’ Yoga is not just the postures that you make. It’s a game of controlling your breath. Without that, you can’t get the true essence of yoga. If you have good control over your breath, nothing is impossible.
Her Diet Plan
Tao Porchon-Lynch
She is a pure vegetarian. She prefers to eat small meals in a day. Quite surprisingly, it is said that she does not drink water. Rather, she is an absolute wine lover. There are just two beverages in her diet; tea and wine. (Tao and her husband founded the American wine society.)
A Ballroom Dancer
Tao Porchon-Lynch
Her talent is not confined to yoga practice only, she is also a remarkably trained ballroom dancer. You all must have remembered that old dancing lady that appeared in America’s Got Talent in 2016, that was Tao. Her incredible performance earned her a standing ovation by the judges of the show as well as she earned a lot of praise and attention on social media.
A Movie Star
Tao Porchon-Lynch
Many of you don’t know but this inspirational and multi-talented lady have also worked in a couple of Hollywood movies as well. The Last Time I saw Paris was a movie where she was co-star of Elizabeth Taylor. Her second movie was released in 1951, named Show Boat.
A Fashionista Yogi
Tao Porchon-Lynch
In her youth, she was a fashion model too. Even after so many decades, she has got a deep sense of styling. Her look is quite contrary to what we normally see in conventional yogis. Even at the age of 98 she dresses up fashionably. High heels, big sized earrings, brightly painted nails and slim fit clothing, all are best complemented with her high spirit and young heart.
Her Personal Life
Tao Porchon-Lynch
She was married to Bill Lynch, an insurance salesman in 1963. She settled in Hartsdale, N.Y. after marriage. And they had a happy marital life for about 20 years but no kids. It was in 1982 that her husband died in a tragic roadside accident. Tao herself had to face several injuries in her pursuit of happiness i.e. yoga. She has had three hip replacements that is why she is not that comfortable in floor stretches as she used to be once. Other than this, she had her wrist fractured, back in 2011. But nothing could have stopped her of being a professional yogi.
An Exotic Life
Tao Porchon-Lynch
Her life is full of great achievements. Other than yogism, she has been into a lot of social activities. After leaving India in 1940, she moved to London. There she used to perform and dance for the soldiers. She has spent a big part of her life with many famous names like Dalai Lama, Mahatma Gandhi, Marylin Monroe and Noel Coward.
Conclusion: People who have no motto in life, can learn a lot from inspirational and hardworking people like Tao Porchon-Lynch. From the start of her journey till now, the one thing that keeps her moving is her determination and will power. And believe me, there is no slowing down. Above all, people who had doubtful minds about the benefits of yoga, can clearly see, how positively yoga can change your whole lifestyle.
