By KATE PICKLES AND EDWARD CHOW FOR MAILONLINE
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/peoplesdaily/article-3081980/Advanced-yoga-84-year-old-pensioner-star-China-inventing-new-poses-teaching-classes-younger-generations.html
These eye-watering poses would be hard enough for anyone to master - but that hasn't stopped this 84-year-old showing the youngsters how it's done.
While most pensioners learn to cope with the vast number of health challenges old age brings, Hou Zhenshan is busy teaching people his yoga moves.
The octogenarian gives classes demonstrating these incredible moves in a local community centre in Zhangjiakou City.
Agile: Pensioner Hou Zhenshan practices his moves in a community centre while younger people look on
He shows incredible flexibility and balance to master some of the trickiest poses in the book, ranging from tucking his legs behind his head, to pulling off an upside down lotus position.
The retired Xuanhua District resident told the People's Daily Online he took up the art 30 years ago when he was having health problems.
As his skills in this ancient art of meditation improved over the years, so too did his health.
Now he has an amazingly flexible body which enables him to complete even the most complex and demanding yoga moves.
Ouch: Hou Zhenshan tucks his legs behind his head in a position a child might struggle to do
Balance:84-year-old Hou Zhenshan balances on his hands while his legs are tucked behind his arms
Flexible: Hou shows off a number of his moves at a community centre where he teaches other - often much younger than himself
He has even created his own special moves called 'Buddha facing the heavens' and 'Four dragons with a pearl' among others.
Outside of yoga, keen gardener Hou likes to tend to his plants and also keeps birds and fish.
His active lifestyle has seen many people become his yoga students which he teaches for free, including to the elderly.
The community volunteer, who has also signed up to help at the Winter Olympics, said: 'I hope that more people will practice yoga to improve their health and promote fitness around the country as well as support the Winter Olympics.'
Stretch: Pensioner Hou practices a move outside his classes in the community of Zhangjiakou City, China
Envious: Younger yoga-lovers look on in awe at the 84-year-old master as he gives a demonstration
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