The book talks to "goldeners," the lovely term used to replace "senior citizens," but it can be of benefit to all ages. I'm 38 years old, and this book gave me a glimpse into my possible future as a wise and dynamic elder: one who not only stores a wealth of stories and experience, but who also hikes, climbs trees, and otherwise moves independently and confidently. The book makes a great case for why we should move more and move in a variety of ways, gives guidance on how to do so, and provides a wonderful collection of exercises to strengthen the body for the daily movements that one needs in order to live a dynamic life. I also appreciate the discussion of the right shoes to wear to keep the body correctly aligned and strong.
My favorite part of the book is the personal stories of four women, now in their late 70s and 80s, who are genuine models of dynamic aging. They talk about the physical problems that they had and how they were able to overcome them by following the guidance offered in this book. They describe the wonderful ways they are able to move, including climbing trees! Did you ever think you could see a woman in her 80s hanging from a tree? These women's stories are truly inspiring.
I have started teaching my 73-year-old mother these exercises, and she feels like just a few days of practicing them have made a big difference. I can see that. She is steadier on her feet and building stamina. Katy shows us that getting older does not have to mean turning into a decrepit prune. It is our culture of being sedentary and putting our bodies into a variety of casts that weakens us, and so frail aging has become the norm. Even if you, like my mom, have lost some physical abilities, it is never too late to start adding movement into your life, and I highly recommend this book as a guide for doing so.