Thursday, January 27, 2011 Oldest yoga teacher: 89-year-old Gladys Morris sets world record HEYSIDE, UK -- Heyside yoga teacher Gladys Morris, 88, a former senior secretary for Oldham probation office, teaches four yoga classes a week at Shaw Community Centre - setting the new world record for theOldest yoga teacher.
Photo: Gladys Morris, The World's Oldest Yoga Teacher, in one of her yoga positions. (enlarge photo)
The previous Guinness world record holder for the Oldest yoga teacherwas Bette Claman, aged 83, who is still teaching regular yoga classes at Williamstown Yoga Centre, Williamstown, Victoria, Australia.
Guinness World Records also recognized The longest yoga marathon by a female, which lasted 32 hours and was achieved by Yasmin Fudakowska-Gow (Canada) at Om West Holistic Centre, Quebec, Canada.
Gladys Morris has been practising the ancient exercise for almost five decades and credits it as the secret to her great health.
Although she retired 30 years ago the flexible pensioner is still going strong teaching Hatha yoga four times a week.
A bad fall two years ago almost scuppered Gladys's hobby as she broke three bones in her back and developed osteoporosis.
But doctors told her that her super strong muscles had helped her body to overcome the injuries and speed her back to full strength. She now has regular calcium injections to strengthen her bones and says she feels 100 per cent fit.
Gladys, whose husband Jim died 12 years ago, is mum to Sheila and Alan, and says her family are incredibly proud.
She said: "I've also got three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren and they all think it's brilliant.
"I'm not as good as I used to be, my balance is gone and I've always struggled to sit cross-legged. "But as long as I am a good teacher that's all that matters."
Gladys, who's next mission is to get computer savvy so she can e-mail friends and family in Australia, said: "I am really pleased and honoured to be nominated for this award [world record].
"It is lovely to be recognised for doing something that I love to do and to know that I have helped people along the way."
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