Liao Shu-chen, 90 years young
Today we take you to meet Liao Shu-chen, a former music teacher who’s 90 years young. After retiring, she began learning ballet, art, and how to do a headstand. FTV reporter Stephany Yang spoke to Liao to discover how she’s making the most of her golden years.
Liao Shu-chen dances gracefully to the music. Liao is 90 years old this year, but to her, age is just a number. She’s just as agile and flexible as ever, and has been studying ballet for over a year.
Besides learning ballet, she’s also mastered the headstand.
Liao Shu-chen
Retiree
The headstand pose is good for brain atrophy and blood circulation. I slowly learned it at home. I was scared at first and would fall, but now I am stable and I can count to 100.
Her daily routine comprises exercising and painting. She loves art and has held several exhibitions in Taiwan and abroad.
Liao Shu-chen
Retiree
After I retired, I had the opportunity to learn different things. I signed up to learn ink painting. I went to the social education center to learn ink painting. I feel very happy every day because I like art very much. I paint with ink, paint with watercolors, and go to the sports center every day. In the morning, I move around at home and draw pictures, and then visit the sports center in the afternoon. If I get home a little earlier, I do finger exercises and play the piano. Then, I rest in the evening and watch TV and the news.
In her golden years, Liao teaches piano classes occasionally. Before her retirement, she was an elementary school music teacher.
Liao Shu-chen
Retiree
My profession was a primary school music teacher. I like the piano very much. I taught myself.
What are the secrets to a fulfilling retirement? Liao points to exercise, good life habits, a social life, and continuous learning.
Liao Shu-chen
Retiree
Young people look at their phones too much. Then they go to bed too late at night. We have to rest before 11 o’clock because that’s what’s dictated by our biological clock. We must pay attention to our diet. I see queues at drink shops. That’s not very good. People should exercise, maintain good living habits, and socialize. Don’t stay at home watching TV and sleeping.
A few times a week, Liao exercises with her friends and granddaughter at a park. Her granddaughter Hsiao Yu-wen is a fitness trainer for older adults.
Hsiao Yu-wen
Granddaughter of Liao Shu-chen
The biggest thing I learned from her is that you should never stop learning. It’s so true. My grandma was a teacher, so she needs to keep improving in her profession. Even in retirement, she doesn’t let her life become empty.
Liao Shu-chen
Retiree
I didn’t know how to swim, and I was very afraid of water. Sogo had a gym and a swimming pool, so I started to learn on my own. Because of my shin splints, I used to suffer from back pain and couldn’t walk. Rehabilitation didn’t help, so I went swimming. I now swim freestyle and backstroke. After that, my back recovered.
Liao hopes to inspire everyone to be a lifelong learner and live a healthy life.
For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53
2024-02-27
