Yoga teacher, 88, is a real inspiration

Photo: Anthony Miller

Gladys Morris (centre) at her yoga class

SHE’S super slim, super flexible and super fit — not bad for an 88-year-old great grandmother.

But Heyside yoga teacher Gladys Morris swears she will keep on contorting her tiny frame into a series of eye popping positions for as long as she can, despite suffering from osteoporosis.

Gladys, who teaches four yoga classes a week at Shaw Community Centre, has earned a Pride in Oldham Awards nomination for her efforts to help others.

She said: “Yoga has been a huge part of my life for a very long time and I have made lots of wonderful friends over the years.

“I credit yoga for keeping me fit and I am very flexible. There are some things I can’t do now because of my osteoporosis but I’ll keep going until I can’t do it anymore.”

A bad fall two years ago almost scuppered Gladys’s hobby as she broke three bones in her back and developed osteoporosis.

But doctors told her that her super strong muscles had helped her body to overcome the injuries and speed her back to full strength. She now has regular calcium injections to strengthen her bones and says she feels 100 per cent fit.

Gladys was nominated by Catherine Carroll who has been going to her classes for several years.

She said: “Gladys is a very kind and considerate lady who helps many people old and young from all walks of life.

“She has been doing yoga for 40 years now and is a true inspiration to everyone she meets.”

Gladys, who’s next mission is to get computer savvy so she can e-mail friends and family in Australia, said: “I am really pleased and honoured to be nominated for this award.

“It is lovely to be recognised for doing something that I love to do and to know that I have helped people along the way.”