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An elderly Black woman in a gray hoodie stretches on a green yoga mat while a black cat stretches out in front of her. 12 / 36

Grandma Rolled Out Her Yoga Mat. Licorice Decided to Join the Class.

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Morning stretches are a team sport in Grandma Odessa's living room. She sits on a sage-green yoga mat in a soft gray hoodie and joggers, one leg reaching forward, glasses parked on top of her silver hair. Right in the middle of her mat, Licorice has struck his own pose: front legs stretched long, chest low, eyes calmly fixed on her as if to say he's been doing this for years. Slippers wait by the side table, a mug and a potted plant sit nearby, and a cozy couch piled with blankets fills the background.

Cats are natural stretchers. That long, front-paws-forward reach is something many do right after waking up, helping to loosen muscles and get blood flowing. For older adults, gentle stretching can be a helpful part of staying limber, and having a pet around can make a daily routine easier to stick with. A few tips make sharing the mat safer: move slowly so you don't trip over a sudden visitor, keep a chair nearby for balance, and skip anything that causes pain. It's always smart to check with a doctor before starting a new exercise routine, especially if you have joint or balance concerns.

Licorice may not know the names of any poses, but he's got the downward stretch nailed. And honestly, a workout buddy who shows up every day, never complains, and purrs afterward is hard to beat.

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