Athlete of the Week: Betty Rosenthal

Betty Rosenthal has been practicing yoga for 36 years. She hails from Montreal, where she took her first Sivananda yoga class shortly after her son was born. It was relaxing and exactly what she was seeking. She was certified in August from Yoga From the Heart and teaches private lessons weekly on Longboat Key. In addition to her own daily practice in her home’s yoga room that looks over the Gulf of Mexico, she plays tennis, walks and swims. She does two to three hours of activity daily.

What do you like the most about yoga?
My favorite part is breathing, meditation, relaxation and, of course, flexibility.

What is the hardest pose for you?
The handstand is my challenging pose. I can do a headstand and a wheel, but a handstand is really challenging.

What is your favorite pose?
The shoulder stand. You stand on your shoulders. It’s an inverted pose with legs all the way up toward ceiling while you’re standing on your shoulders.

Where is the most beautiful place you have practiced yoga?
Right here! Nothing is more beautiful than my home on Longboat Key. This is the most beautiful place in the world — I don’t have to go anywhere else!

What is the breakfast of champions?
I have only fruit in the morning before lunch on an empty stomach. I like berries because of the antioxidants, or I’ll have a berry smoothie with protein powder. Everything I eat is organic. I’m a vegetarian with no dairy products.

What is your favorite Olympic sport to watch?
Swimming. I love swimming. I also like track and field.

If you could have any actress play your role in your life movie, who would you pick and why?
Diane Keaton. I don’t know (why), just looking at her reminds me of me. She’s thin, she’s bubbly and she’d do a good job playing me.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
If I had a super power I would really like to bring peace to this world, because this world needs peace in every way, shape and form.