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When we think of role models, it's easy to picture celebrities, athletes, or influencers. But for me, inspiration comes from someone far more grounded and unexpected - it’s Charlotte Chopin, a French woman who began practicing yoga at 50 and went on to teach and inspire generations well into her 90s (watch here YouTube video about her teaching for more than 4 decades). Her story is a beautiful reminder that yoga is not about performance, perfection, or pretzel poses. It’s about presence, breath, and respecting your own rhythm - at any age, with any body.

As someone who came to yoga in my 30s after years of navigating the challenges of hip dysplasia and recovering from a major hip surgery, I’ve learned to listen to my body with more awareness and to respect its unique rhythm - something that really resonates with Charlotte’s philosophy. At 37, I decided to follow the call and become a yoga teacher, embracing the journey with an open mind and consistency. 

This article is a tribute to her legacy, a reflection on what yoga really offers us at any stage of life like it does for me, and a call to embrace your practice just as you are - wherever you are.

Who is Charlotte Chopin?

➡️ A Brief Biography about this incredible and inspiring woman

Charlotte Chopin was born in Germany in 1922 but later made her life in France and overseas with her family, and yoga didn’t enter her life until much later. She worked alongside her husband but dedicated most of her life to educating her children. She was 50 when she walked into her first class - driven by curiosity more than anything else. But what she discovered was far more than a physical practice. Over time, yoga became her path, her anchor, and eventually her purpose. She trained to become a teacher, and by 1982, she was guiding others with a calm, steady presence rooted in lived experience. Decade after decade, she remained devoted to the practice, becoming one of France’s most beloved yoga voices a quiet yet powerful reminder that it’s never too late to begin again, to grow, or to share.

And she didn’t stop there. Charlotte continued teaching into her 90s, radiating vitality and humility, challenging everything we tend to believe about age. Her journey, full of grace and movement, was honored in 2022 with India’s Padma Shri and France’s Légion d’Honneur - recognitions that echo what her life already showed: that yoga is a lifelong invitation to care for body, mind, and soul.

➡️ Her Philosophy and Method

Charlotte’s approach was rooted in gentle, conscious movement, anchored by breath and presence. She didn’t chase performance or push bodies into shapes that feel out of reach. Instead, she offered a practice grounded in kindness—inviting each person to slow down, listen in, and move with awareness. It wasn’t about striving, but about tuning in, with conscious breathing.

She often spoke about the inner state being more important than the external posture. For Charlotte, yoga was a tool for longevity, not in years, but in quality of life. Mostly, her classes prioritized:

• ▪️Breath-led movement
• ▪️Adaptability to physical limitations
• ▪️Daily practice of presence through meditation
• ▪️Emphasis on balance (both physical and mental)
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Charlotte is a living - and now legendary - reminder that you don’t need to be young, flexible, or acrobatic to begin yoga or to feel its deep impact. You simply start, and let the practice meet you where you are. I deeply appreciate how genuine and accessible her approach is ideal for anyone seeking a path to wellness that supports mobility while respecting the body’s natural limits.

Yoga is Not About Age or a Condition. It's About Body Awareness in the present Moment

Many people think: “I’m too old to start yoga” or “I’m not flexible enough”. Yoga starts with you, not with a shape or level, it meets you where you are.

Whether you’re 22 or 72, yoga is a lifelong companion that adapts and evolves with you. In your 20s, your practice might be dynamic and full of flow. In your 30s, it might shift to include more awareness, intentional strength, and emotional grounding. By your 50s, it could lean toward slower movement and breath as a guide. In your 80s, it might be a chair practice or a gentle floor sequence. Throughout every stage of life, the breath stays with you, like an anchor that reminds us that every form of practice is yoga, and every version of your practise is valid.

Sitting Yoga Practice 

So yes, you can begin at any age. Why not try now and see how it feels for you ?

Just like Charlotte, I didn’t come to yoga with the intention of teaching or sharing it online. I started because my body was speaking, through stiffness, discomfort, and pain. Years of physical activity without proper stretching, combined with long hours at a desk, had taken a toll. On top of that, growing up with hip dysplasia and undergoing surgery in my 30s forced me to rethink how I moved and cared for my body. Yoga became my path back to myself - a journey of self-recovery. I had to slow down, listen, adapt, and relearn how to move in a way that respected my anatomy. And beyond the physical, it helped me ease anxiety, release tension, and find presence in everyday life. Today, at 38, I practice - and teach - a form of yoga that is functional, inclusive, and rooted in trauma-awareness. It’s not about perfection; it’s about progression and connection to yourself.

" The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now." — Chinese proverb

Yoga with Body Limitations: My Story

When you live with a condition like hip dysplasia, traditional yoga classes or even aesthetic modern yoga can feel frustrating or even dangerous. I had to re-learn the basics: how to sit, how to move, how to not force, how to identify what posture is right for you or not.

Through different yoga types such as Yin Yoga, Hatha, Vinyasa, Power Yoga, breathwork, mindful strength-building, and mobility exercises, I discovered a new path. One where alignment serves the body, not the other way around.

If you're healing from a surgery, dealing with arthritis or joint pain, or just beginning after years of inactivity, yoga has a space for you. I always say that there is a yoga for every need. Now, let go of the comparison trap, don’t compare yourself to others who may have a different level, a different flexibility. You don’t need to “catch up” to anyone. Move at your own pace, explore your limits, and stay connected to what your body tells you.

Instead, ask: What does my body need today?

Some days, I feel the need for stillness and a Yin Yoga session helps me to soften, stretch deeply, and let go to the rhythm of slow movements and soulful music. Other days, I crave fire and strength, choosing a dynamic Power Yoga flow that energizes me, tones my muscles, and leaves me feeling grounded and empowered, sometimes with the added challenge of weights. Yoga allows me to do so.

The Many Benefits of Yoga - At Any Age (and What I Personally Stand For)

As someone who teaches and lives yoga every day, I can tell you this: whether you're 28 or 88, the benefits of yoga reach far beyond touching your toes. What I promote in my classes and my own journey is a practice rooted in consistency, self-respect, and deep transformation through progress.

Here’s what yoga can bring into your life - no matter your age or limitations:

Yoga keeps the body moving in all directions. It maintains range of motion and supports joint health, especially important as we age or recover from injuries.

As we grow older, balance becomes essential to prevent falls and build confidence. Yoga improves proprioception (our body’s ability to sense its position in space) along with core strength and overall stability.

▪️Mental Clarity and Emotional Regulation

Breath-led movement and meditation soothe the nervous system, calm anxiety, and build resilience. This mental clarity becomes more valuable with every passing year.

▪️Connection to Self

Yoga is one of the few physical activities that also nourishes the soul. It teaches compassion, patience, gratitude, and deeper self-awareness, tools we often need more as life grows complex.

▪️Improved Sleep and Digestion

Practicing gentle sequences with twists and deep and conscious breathing can help improve sleep quality and support digestion, especially for those in mid-life and beyond.

A Balanced Life Inspired by Yoga

Charlotte Chopin’s life is a powerful reminder demonstrating balance isn’t something we strike in a single yoga pose, but something we build over time, intertwined through the choices we make every day. In other words, every action we take shapes our reality, creating interconnections that resonate through our lives. It’s in the meals we choose to nourish ourselves, in making time for consistent physical activity which can be a short morning stretch or an evening walk with a beautiful sunset. It’s in allowing moments of rest for both our body and mind, even if it’s just a quiet time with a cup of tea in a café or some breathwork exercise before bed.

Balance also lives in the way we think and talk to ourselves, are we kind towards others? patient? and supportive with family, friends and colleagues? or do we get stuck in criticism? It’s in how we show up for others and in how we set boundaries that respect our needs.

This journey is progressive. It shifts as we move through life’s stages, sometimes we need to be more in motion, other times more stillness; sometimes more strength, other times more surrender. The key is to stay curious about the world around us and about ourselves, how we feel, by listening to what our body and heart are asking for, and to adjust with compassion and self-care.

That’s where the real yoga lifestyle begins, off the mat, in the everyday life that shapes who we are. Yoga doesn’t have to mean a full hour on the mat in a hot fancy room. It can be a 10-15 minute flow integrated into your morning routine, a few meditative breaths before sleep or upon waking, a gentle spinal stretch to start the day, or even a slow walk where you simply pay attention to each step. All of these are expressions of yogic presence.

Keep in mind that it is not about doing more. It’s about doing differently for yourself and listening to what you need.

Final Thoughts: Why Not Try ?

Charlotte Chopin reminded me that life isn’t a straight path - and that growth, evolution, and new beginnings have no age limit. When I chose to become a yoga teacher, I didn’t worry about fitting industry expectations or whether my age was “right.” I simply followed what my heart told me, inspired by how yoga made me feel and how I wanted others to feel, too: uplifted and radiant. I began offering classes, sharing my practice with individuals, and even bringing yoga to my colleagues at work. Remember, flow and strength aren’t reserved for the young or the naturally flexible. They grow through a practice that respects our own limits and from meeting ourselves with authenticity and compassion, just as we are.

That’s what yoga brings me, not a race or a performance, but a supportive space to feel, breathe, move, and find contentment within myself.

Maybe you’re curious. Maybe you’ve been putting it off. Or maybe you’ve told yourself it’s too late, or not for you. But… like Charlotte Chopin or myself, why not try? And from there, who knows where the flow could take you.

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Did you enjoy this article? If you're curious about yoga but don’t feel quite ready to join a class, I offer personalized online and in-person (Montreal) sessions to guide you at your own pace. Let’s chat! You can book a free online consultation (CLICK HERE) to explore how yoga can fit into your journey.

You can also leave a comment below and share your thoughts - I’d love to hear your take on yoga and its practice! If this article resonated with you, feel free to share it with someone who might find it helpful. 

Also read: 

- Yoga: Meaning, Ancient Wisdom & Modern Practice Tips!

- Healing After Trauma: Yoga for Hip Surgery Recovery

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Namaste!

Sab