When Laura Venecia Rodriguez took her first hesitant steps into the world of yoga at age 15, she couldn’t have imagined it would become a lifelong passion.
A self-described “unathletic” teenager, Laura found herself drawn to yoga not through a class or an instructor, but through a magazine article featuring a yogi in a serene lotus pose. The image stayed with her, inspiring her to dive into the practice of gentle, mindful movement.
“I wasn’t athletic at all as a kid,” Laura admitted. “I was that student left out of teams in middle and high school. I knew even then that if I didn’t do something, I wouldn’t stay in shape.”
That revelation, combined with her innate curiosity about health and wellness, led Laura to embrace yoga as her personal exercise regimen. Little did she know, this humble start would grow into a decades-long journey that would ultimately define her purpose.
Learning yoga the old-fashioned way
Growing up outside Philadelphia in the 1970s, Laura didn’t have the plethora of yoga studios or online classes we see today.
“Back then, yoga wasn’t mainstream like it is now. There weren’t classes on every corner,” she explained. “I learned yoga from two books: ‘Yoga for Beauty and Health’ by Eugene Rawls as well as ‘Yoga, Youth and Reincarnation‘ by Jess Stern.”
Through these guides, Laura became a self-taught practitioner, meticulously following the instructions to create her own routines.
Laura credits her success to the careful guidance in those books.
“They repeatedly stressed not to push or strain into poses. That advice stuck with me, and I never injured myself in all those years of practicing alone,” she shared.
Yoga became more than just exercise for Laura. It became a way to connect her mind, body, and spirit—a holistic approach to well-being that felt uniquely tailored to her.
“The poses are designed to release tension and energize you,” she explained. “Even at 15, I noticed how much better I felt after practicing yoga. It was as though the stiffness and stress just melted away.”
Yoga after 50: A renewed purpose
Fast forward five decades, and Laura’s dedication to yoga remains unwavering. Now in her 70s, she has turned her passion into a mission to help others embrace gentle yoga as they age. Her book, “Gentle Yoga After 50,” is a guide for those who may feel intimidated by the more advanced, pretzel-like poses often featured in yoga magazines.
“There’s a misconception that you have to be flexible to start yoga, but that’s not true,” Laura emphasized. “The purpose of yoga is to help improve your flexibility, and that becomes especially important as we age. After 50, we need to be proactive about maintaining our health and energy.”
Laura’s philosophy is rooted in simplicity and consistency. She encourages beginners to start with just 10 or 15 minutes a day, focusing on slow, mindful movements.
“It’s better to practice a little every day than to do an hour-long class once a week,” she said. “Consistency is key. Even a short routine can make a significant difference.”
The benefits of gentle yoga
For Laura, yoga isn’t just about physical flexibility, rather it’s about releasing energy and tension to enhance overall well-being.
“When you stretch and move your body in ways it’s not used to, you release stuck energy,” she explained. “This can help you feel more energized and less stressed.”
Her approach focuses on Hatha yoga, a gentle style that involves holding poses for longer periods rather than flowing quickly from one to the next.
“For beginners over 50, Hatha yoga is ideal,” Laura said. “It allows you to ease into poses gradually and build strength and flexibility over time.”
Laura practices what she preaches, balancing her yoga routine with other forms of exercise, like rebounding on a mini-trampoline as well as strength training.
“Yoga is just one pillar of my lifestyle,” she explained. “I also emphasize nutrient-dense eating, proper sleep, and aerobic exercise. It’s about creating a balanced, holistic approach to health.”
Overcoming the challenges of aging
As a wellness advocate, Laura understands the challenges many people face as they age. “One of the biggest hurdles is mindset,” she noted. “People often assume that getting older automatically means losing energy and vitality. That belief becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.”
To combat this, Laura emphasizes the importance of proactive habits and a positive outlook.
“You can’t expect to maintain the same energy levels if you’re not actively working toward it,” she said. “It’s about making small, consistent changes that add up over time.”
Laura is living proof that age is just a number. Her boundless energy and enthusiasm for life are a testament to the power of yoga and healthy living.
“I’ve been the same weight since college because I’ve always paid attention to what I eat and how I move,” she shared. “It’s easier to maintain your health than to try to fix it after problems arise.”
Shine After 50: A new platform for wellness
In addition to her yoga practice, Laura has recently launched a platform called Shine After 50, which aims to inspire and empower people in their 50s and beyond to live vibrant, purposeful lives.
“The name was inspired by the Earth, Wind & Fire song ‘Shining Star,’” Laura revealed. “I love the idea of each person being a shining star, bringing their unique gifts to the world.”
Through her website, blog, and upcoming online community, Laura offers resources on yoga, meditation, rebounding, and more. She also provides free downloads, including a 10-step guide to starting a yoga practice and a stress-relief audio visualization.
“For many people, turning 50 can be daunting,” Laura acknowledged. “It’s a reminder that we may have fewer years ahead than behind. But that’s exactly why it’s so important to optimize each day and pursue what truly brings us joy.”
Finding purpose and passion
When asked how people can discover their purpose after 50, Laura suggests looking to the past for clues.
“Think back to what brought you joy as a child or teenager,” she advised. “For me, it was always writing, speaking, and exploring health and spirituality. Those passions have guided me throughout my life.”
Laura’s career as a writer and researcher in the federal government may not have been her ultimate passion, but it provided a foundation for her current work.
“I loved writing and researching, even though the topics weren’t always exciting to me,” she said. “Now, I get to write and speak about things I truly care about.”
She encourages others to take a similar approach.
“It’s never too late to start pursuing your passions,” she said. “Whether it’s through a new hobby, volunteering, or starting a business, there’s always a way to shine.”
Living with love and intention
For Laura, living with purpose means staying true to herself and operating from a place of love. One of her favorite mottos is inspired by Shakespeare: “To thine own self be true.” Another guiding principle is, “Let all you do be done in love.”
“These philosophies remind me to lead with my heart and stay aligned with what matters most,” she said. “Life is too short to live any other way.”
As she continues to inspire others through her work, Laura’s ultimate goal is to help people rediscover their vitality and shine in their own unique ways.
“We all have gifts to share,” she said. “Yoga, health, and mindfulness are just tools to help us unlock our full potential.”
A legacy of wellness
At 70, Laura is far from slowing down. Her dedication to wellness and her desire to uplift others are driving forces in her life.
“Yoga has been my anchor for over 50 years,” she reflected. “It’s helped me stay grounded, energized, and connected to my purpose.”
For anyone hesitant to start yoga or make lifestyle changes after 50, Laura offers this encouragement: “It’s never too late to begin. Start small, take baby steps, and focus on consistency. The rewards are well worth the effort.”
With her radiant energy and unwavering commitment to health, Laura Venecia Rodriguez is a shining star, lighting the way for others to live with purpose and vitality in their golden years.
“After 50, life doesn’t slow down – it’s just getting started,” she said.
For more information
People can connect with Laura on a variety of platforms, including:
- Website = www.shineafter50.com
- Facebook = www.facebook.com/LauraVRodriguez
- Instagram = www.instagram.com/laura_venecia_rodriguez
Laura’s book, “Gentle Yoga After 50,” is available on Amazon and in other bookstores. Her website offers a free audio download that would be helpful to anyone going through a stressful situation. She also offers a free PDF to help people ease into adding yoga into their daily routine.
If you order Laura’s book from a link above, Forward From 50 may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
After closing his business and enduring several painful years of uncertainty regarding what to do with his life, Greg founded Forward From 50 to help men and women over 50 to live more purposeful lives by pursuing things they are passionate about. A Wisconsin native, Greg currently lives in Arizona.