At 83, Barbara Brown Teaches Yoga to Inspire Memory Care Residents

At 83, Barbara Brown Teaches Yoga in Nursing Homes—and Loves Every Minute of It

Barbara Brown is 83 years old, teaches yoga in nursing homes, and finds deep fulfillment in her work. She blends yoga with music to connect with people experiencing memory loss, bringing them joy and comfort. Beyond her passion for teaching, she works to supplement her pension and stays active despite the challenges of aging.

"I've Always Done Yoga"

Especially when I worked on Wall Street, yoga was my way of keeping my nerves in check. In Richmond, I started practicing more intensively alongside my job, and at some point, I realized I wanted to teach. I earned my first certification as a 200-hour yoga instructor and landed my first teaching job. Then I left my full-time position as a controller. I still remember my last day—packing up my things and then heading straight to teach a yoga class. The truth is, I never really stopped working.

Now, I Focus on Classes in Nursing Homes

I visit five different care facilities, and I'm grateful for the opportunity—being over 80 and still in the shape I'm in is a gift. Many of my students live with memory loss, so I've developed techniques to make yoga accessible to them.

They love music, so I bring in a drum and get them singing. It's amazing how people with memory loss often recognize familiar melodies. I can make them laugh, and even with cognitive decline, they still benefit from yoga.

I'm a Strict Vegan—and Have Been for Over 35 Years

Alongside yoga, I've followed a vegan diet for more than three decades. Fresh fruits and vegetables aren't expensive, and I don't eat much anyway. When I see so many people—some younger than me—struggling with their health, I wish more of them paid attention to what they eat.

I don't take any medication. At my last checkup, the doctor told me my biological age is around 40, and honestly, that's how I feel at 83. When I visited a chiropractor, one of the staff asked how old I was. I said, "I'm not telling you—because then you'd put me in a box right away."

Yoga Helps Me Stay Financially Secure in Retirement

I work to boost my Social Security income, which wouldn't be enough on its own. Social Security is a U.S. government program funding retirement, disability, and survivors' benefits. Workers and employers contribute through payroll taxes, but unlike Germany's system, it only covers pensions and disability—healthcare, long-term care, and unemployment insurance are separate.

I bought a house to rent out, but when the pandemic hit, the tenants didn't pay for seven months. I'm still paying off credit card debt, and I have a mortgage on my own home.

Becoming a yoga teacher is also expensive—something I couldn't afford to do now. The initial training costs around $10,000 (about €8,500), and you have to keep up with continuous education. Even yoga clothing is pricey; it's a high-end profession in many ways.

I Have a Son and Three Grandchildren

My schedule is so packed that I'm not your typical grandmother. I don't bake cookies or cook for my grandkids, though I see them often. After teaching yoga, I need to rest—it takes a lot of energy, especially at my age. When I get home, I do breathing exercises to recharge.

Everyone faces challenges. Losing my husband and my mother was incredibly hard. But I stay present—I don't dwell on the past or regret anything. I focus on creating. What can I do now to improve my life and help others live better? That's what matters.