Decades before the popularity of the modern-day social influencer, longtime Indian Hill resident Lilias Folan was championing self-care and mental health in the practice of yoga. Now, as an 89-year-old mother and grandmother, she continues a daily practice and lives with gratefulness.
As a busy spouse and young mother of two, Lilias found refuge in the stretching, breathing and postures of yoga in community classes in 1964 New York. Her love of the practice deepened as she experienced its uplifting health benefits.
“Before I started a yoga practice, I was feeling kind of out of it,” says Lilias. “After my very first class, I felt so much better—not just physically, but emotionally. Yoga helped me to start to breathe properly and move intelligently.”
With the support of her husband, Lilias traveled to India for a month of intensive study and returned a committed yogi. Following their family’s move to Indian Hill in 1968, Lilias was teaching a class at a Cincinnati-area Y, and was discovered by a popular producer, whose spouse had attended and enjoyed her teaching. She became the host of a weekly television show, “Lilias, Yoga and You,” first broadcast on WCET Cincinnati in 1970.
“I never thought of it as a ‘show,’” explains Lilias. “I was teaching to the red light on the camera, knowing there were students on the other side that needed to stretch, breathe and take a break. It was a spiritual experience. Somehow, the universe was there with me, and we did a class together. It was an otherworldly gift.”
By 1973, the popular program was picked up by public television stations across the country, introducing yoga to a national audience. The familiar face and soothing voice of Lilias was welcomed into American living rooms through 1999, making yoga accessible to people of all body types and situations. Coined “The First Lady of Yoga,” Lilias demystified the ancient practice with inviting, step-by-step instructions. Her goal was never fame or fortune, but to share the gift of yoga.
“During her time at WCET, she was a volunteer,” explains Matt Folan, Lilias’ son. “She had a calling to share her center through yoga. She taught a class through the camera.”
Still today, the quintessential teacher, mother and grandmother continues to invite others to join her in practice, wherever they are.
“Yoga is not exotic—although it can be full of wonderful, fun postures, it can be as simple as stretching at your basket at Kroger, breathing or even yawning,” Lilias says.
“She still inspires us every single day,” shares Lesley Folan, Lilias’ daughter-in-law. “She is so genuine—she is yoga: she embodies yoga and the spirituality of it.”
“At the heart of Lilias is her spiritual journey,” Matt adds. “As her son, she has helped me have a wide perspective on spirituality and life. I’m thankful for my moment on this planet. It has been a journey of love and compassion.”
Lilias gives permission to pause, take a deep breath and stretch our bodies and minds before we push forward.
“Yoga will give you a pop of energy to go on and do what you have to do next,” Lilias advises. “A wonderful stretch is such a blessing. The whole body goes, ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you!’”