Sydney-based Judy Morgan is proof age is no barrier to anything. Judy, 83, is teaching yoga after seeing her life transformed by treating her hearing loss. Caring for her ill husband for many years, Judy’s hearing had deteriorated to the extent that she would avoid social interactions – having always been bubbly and confident. When her husband sadly passed away, Judy decided to finally take action, and since getting hearing aids she has taken up teaching yoga – in person and online. “Once you can hear well, the world is a different place and life becomes beautiful again,” she says. The Carousel recently caught up with Judy and here is what she had to say.
When did you start practicing yoga?
I started back in 1969. I was living in Melbourne and didn’t know anything about yoga until I met some who mentioned it was good for migraines.
At that time, I did suffer from migraines so thought I would give it a try. But in those days, there were very few yoga teachers around, so it took me some time to find someone to teach me and get started.
How do you benefit?
Oh, my goodness, where to begin? I just have so much more energy, I’m happier with life and even when, from time to time I’ve faced a health problem, I really believe yoga has helped me manage any of those challenges so much better! I just feel wonderful and can’t imagine my life without it.
Tell us about your hearing difficulties and how a hearing aid made a difference.
It was back in 2016 and I think I had known for some time that my hearing wasn’t quite what it should have been, but at the time I was caring for my very ill husband, and I was totally focused on him. But I also noticed that I was more reserved and not as keen to be part of conversations, because I just couldn’t hear clearly what people were saying.
After my husband passed away, I decided I needed to do something about my hearing and went to Audika for an assessment. Given the difference in my hearing now, I just wish I’d done it sooner! Once you can hear well, the world is a different place and life becomes beautiful again.
What made you to start teaching and how rewarding is it?
I actually fell into teaching many years ago, when my teacher told me she was going away, and I could take her class. In those days, there weren’t all the qualifications there are now and she thought I was up to the job, so I said yes. Obviously since then, I’ve trained for many qualifications and have now been teaching for more than 50 years.
Teaching is incredibly rewarding!
Some of my students have been with me for 10, 20 even 30 years and we have shared so many things. I’m just so grateful for the support and relationships we share. I also teach meditation and when COVID-19 first hit, I found so many people were frightened and lonely, so we started doing on-line meditation classes and to know that we could come together and support each other was really rewarding.
