Moving with Grace: Spotlight on Berdelle, a 98-Year-Old Pilates Devotee

When you meet Berdelle, the first thing you notice isn’t her age. It’s her spirit. At 98, she’s quick with a smile, sharp with her stories, and full of the kind of humor that makes you forget you’re talking to someone nearing a century of life.

During her weekly Pilates sessions with Andrew Krichels, she moves with a mix of determination and playfulness that’s nothing short of inspiring. “I’m in my 99th year and some days my equilibrium is a little wonky,” she laughs, balancing on her toes while Andrew steadies her. “But that’s why we do this.”

A Lifetime of Movement

Berdelle’s connection to movement goes way back. In the early 1950s, she taught physical education after earning her master’s in health education. She admits it wasn’t the career she had envisioned, but she took the job when opportunity knocked. “Whatever you had to do, you did,” she says simply, shrugging off what was in fact decades of shaping young women’s approach to health and exercise.

It shows. Her body awareness and resilience, built over a lifetime, are still evident on the Pilates reformer. She rolls through exercises with Andrew’s guidance, joking about cramps one minute and showing off her core strength the next. “You’re more flexible than most of my young men clients,” Andrew tells her at one point, and she beams.

Community and Connection

Berdelle’s sessions are rarely just about the workout. They’re full of stories—about her family, her garden, even the neighborhood gatherings during COVID when Pilates moved outside into her English garden so no one had to miss class. “We never missed anything,” she recalls proudly.

There’s also her constant stream of visitors. “I wake up in the morning and have to think, now who’s staying in which bed?” she laughs. Friends, family, and neighbors cycle through her home, ensuring she’s never without company for long.

And then there’s Sookie, the protective dog who often insists on joining sessions. If Berdelle pushes too hard, Sookie presses against her as if to say, “That’s enough.” Andrew chuckles, “She’s been known to push her up the barrel.” For Berdelle, Sookie isn’t just a pet—she’s part of the routine.

Lessons in Longevity

So, what’s the secret to thriving at 98? For Berdelle, it’s simple: keep moving, eat well, drink water, and listen to your body. Alongside Pilates, she practices Qigong and Tai Chi with her son over Zoom, creating a rhythm of movement that grounds her daily life.

She’s also learned to honor rest. “If I hurry, I can feel frazzled,” she explains. “So I stop, close my eyes, breathe deeply, and in 20 minutes I recharge.” It’s this balance—activity and stillness—that seems to keep her energy steady and her outlook joyful.

A Model of What’s Possible

Watching Berdelle work with Andrew is to see resilience in action. She has her share of aches, like anyone her age, but she never loses her curiosity or her sense of humor. “That’s what makes life worth living,” she says, finishing another round of exercises with a grin.

At 98, Berdelle is living proof that movement, connection, and joy don’t have an expiration date.