Conscious Aging involves becoming a wise elder rather than elderly. We strive to live in the present instead of the past with regrets, or the future with anxiety.  The class will focus on the philosophy and skills needed to become a wise elder through life review and harvesting, finding meaning and purpose, and leaving a legacy to future generations. Elderhood is viewed as a time of unparalleled inner growth rather than diminishment. "The thing to do is neither fear old age nor fight it, but accept it without tension, take hold of it, and make something beautiful out of it." --Schachter-Shalomi, From Age-ing to Sage-ing.

Barbara Shovers, M.A., is a life coach and gerontologist and has been a full-time faculty member at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, as well as an instructor at Coconino Community College and Mesa Community College. She has given classes, seminars, and workshops on Conscious Aging since 2002. She retired from teaching and moved to Flagstaff in 2009 where she formed a Wisdom Seekers Book Group and Wellness Series at the Montoya Center which continues to this day. She is an elder who is always seeking more wisdom.

This class meets on four Mondays: April 8, 15, 22, 29, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Lone Tree Campus in the APS room.