'I'm a yoga addict' Incredible gran Jean is still doing twists as she turns 100
GRANDMOTHER Jean Dawson is still a picture of health and fitness at 100, thanks to more than 30 years practising yoga.
Centenarian and yoga fan Jean Dawson still loves her class
Mrs Dawson twists her body into assorted positions at her local yoga class almost every week .
She said: “I’m a yoga addict. I really enjoy it.
“Yoga changed my life and has helped cure aches and pains.
“I used to have trouble from a slipped disc in my back but doing yoga helped me cope with it.
“I have met many kind people through it and made some good friends.
Mrs Dawson took up a form of the exercise called Iyenga Yoga aged 67
“It has given me good posture, balance, concentration, flexibility and stamina. I heartily recommend yoga to all.”
Mrs Dawson took up a form of the exercise called Iyenga Yoga aged 67 and has spent the past 20 years under the guidance of teacher Christine Tyson, 66.
Mrs Tyson said: “Jean is a role model in class. If Jean can do it so can the class. We think she is remarkable, we love and respect her.”
Horses doing yoga
Mrs Dawson has now been practising yoga for more than 30 years
Mrs Dawson was born in London in 1916 but was given up for adoption as a child after her father died and her mother could not afford to keep her.
The grandmother of five and great-grandmother of two now lives in Cottingley, West Yorks, and celebrated her 100th birthday last Saturday.
But despite her years, she shows no signs of slowing down and plans to keep up her classes at the Windhill Community Centre in Bradford.
Jean now uses a form of Hatha Yoga that works on posture, alignment and muscular awareness
Mrs Dawson, a former Land Army girl, added: “A few years ago, I could do all the handstands and everything but I had to stop doing those.
I used to have trouble from a slipped disc in my back but doing yoga helped me cope with it
“Doing lyenga Yoga has helped me more than anything. I really enjoy the company and think I can continue little longer.”
The system she takes part in is a form of Hatha Yoga that works on posture, alignment and muscular awareness.
It was founded by B.K.S. Iyengar, one of India’s foremost yoga teachers, who died last year.