In the 1930s through 50s, Phyllis Sues was a New York City dancer, appearing all around town and even in five Broadway shows. More than half a century later, this dynamo’s dedication to staying in motion hasn’t flagged a bit.
At age 95, this L.A. woman is living a life of movement and adventure. She does yoga and planks for three minutes every day. She’s gone sky-diving, swung on a trapeze, but what we love most is seeing her dance the tango—spinning, lunging, and being twirled in the air. Despite arthritis in her spine and while wearing gorgeous dresses, we might add, which reflect her fashion flair, honed during her 22 years as a designer.
Read More: World’s Oldest Yoga Teacher Says “Inspire, Don’t Retire”
It Takes Work
95-year-old Phyllis Sues performing a wall squat during her yoga practice. Image: Phyllis Sues/Facebook
She reflected on aging a few years ago, writing: “To be 92, or any age, and sedentary, and dealing with memory loss is no way to live. Aging can be exciting, creative, active, and even daring. But—that’s a huge but—it’s not easy to own this. It takes work, desire, and most of all loving what you do every day, every minute, every second, even if it’s washing dishes.”
And though she is keepin’ on like no other, Phyllis is quick to admit that getting—and staying—fit is not easy.
“There are so many yoga poses. None of them simple or easy if done correctly,” she wrote on Facebook in March 2019. “But this one ‘wall squat’ is really a tough one. Maybe doing it for one minute is not so painful, but try it for 3 minutes and your quads, glutes and hamstrings will not forgive you. I’m smiling outside but inside is another story. Remember this, ‘No pain no gain.'”
If that’s not inspiration, we do’t know what is.
Read More: Need Creative Inspiration? Then You Need to Know About 88-Year-Old Artist Faith Ringgold
A version of this article was originally published in July 2018.
0 Comments