Celia is a shining star whenever she walks in to the center
It is the night of the Level up Evaluation Test at the Andover Dahn Center. Members are testing their limits to make the grade on specific postures and stretches. It comes time for the “Sleeping Tiger” test, a strong holding posture for strengthening the lower back and abdomen. As the clock tics on legs and arms begin to drop as members release their posture to take a rest.
But amidst the sea of dropping arms and legs one set remains still. The other members continue to move through the remainder of the test. Some of them even complete it and head for the door. All the while one set of arms and legs remain still.
Deep in concentration, 83 year old Celia Cooper Lombardi holds her ground. “Ok Celia healer nim, you can drop down now”. “What’s that?!”, she shouts out as she reaches to turn up her hearing aid. “Lower your legs!” “Oh, sure, ok”. She replies with ease and comfortably releases the posture.
Celia has been practicing Dahn Yoga for 3 years now. In April of 2007 she stumbled across a Dahn Yoga Instrutor in a nearby grocery store. One thing led to another and she tried her first class.
“I knew I needed to do something but I thought I was too old. When I talked to the instructor they said age is not a problem so I decided to try the class. From Day 1 my mind felt brighter. I knew I would come back and that this is what I am supposed to do.”
Celia was born in 1927 in Monmouthshire, England and came to the US in 1946. She has dedicated her life to serving others (both people and animals alike!). Celia retired as a social worker in 1991. From there she became a Reiki Master and began to become involved in different types of Holistic Healing practices which eventually led her to Dahn Yoga.
Despite her positive mindset Celia’s journey with health has not been an easy one. However, her determination always prevails. About 30 years ago she completely healed her lower back through simply breathing! Her back was weak and poorly aligned which caused it to go out incessantly, leaving her in a hunch. After receiving advice from a trusted friend Celia attempted one last time to heal her pain. For 1 hour everyday over the course of 1 full year, she practiced a breathing meditation that involves breathing into the lower back. Slowly but surely, her lower back completely healed.
Today her main health struggle is Osteoarthritis. When asked how she continues to stay in high spirits despite physical limitations Celia answered like this
I never think there is anything I can’t do. I always feel everything is possible. I never considered myself as old or sick. And, when I do get sick I know inside that soon I will get better.
Celia’s spirit is truly an inspiration. She attends classes 3x’s a week and always arrives on time with a bright smile and arms wide open for a warm hug. Dressed neatly in
Celia and Dahn Center Manager Marielle Cristofi
her class uniform she devotes the utmost sincerity to her practice. Every Wednesday she comes to class 30 minutes early for her home exercise check up. After class she quickly scoops up the tea cups to wash them for the next session. On some occasions you’ll even find her teaching a new member about the warm up exercises or even leading the class in an early warm up.
Celia will never stop growing and developing herself. She attended the Brain Management Consultant Training in November of 2009. She looks forward to taking her renewal test this Fall with hopes to teach someday at an outreach location for the elderly. Every Tuesday Celia volunteers for the MSPCA at the Nevins Farm in Metheun, MA where she shares her love with the animals there.
At 83 years old Celia’s spirit is still young and bright. Her positive outlook on life has helped her overcome many obstacles. I hope we can all remember the words that keep her going day in and day out…
“I never think there is anything I can’t do. I always feel everything is possible. I never considered myself as old or sick.”
It’s that simple.
~Marielle Cristofi
Marielle Cristofi is the center manager at the Dahn Yoga and Healing Center in Andover, MA.
