Transcripts For WJZ CBS This Morning Saturday 20130105

I think without yoga i would not have gotten out of that pain. Im loaded with arthritis i think if i wasnt doing yoga i would probably not be getting around like i do. Ive had a really happy life and busy life. Im in such good shape. And i all give it to yoga. No aches and pains. I wake up in the morning, do my exercises in bed, then i get up and start my day and feel good. And not many people my age always do that. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in adults. Movement is one of the best remedies for bringing about greater ease and relief from suffering. One of the things thats remarkable is the yoga poses help bring increased circulation to the joints. And thats very important. Its kind of like the motor oil for the body. When i started having some issues with my knee, i had to give up things like pickup games of basketball, tennis, things like that. But now ive been able to still consider. Pursue golf, hiking, walking, things of that nature. So through yoga, its helped restore some of my lifes activities that i used to enjoy before. I think yoga has kept me more limber. It helps me with balance, which is an issue for me. Ive got some knees that wish i hadnt tried running for a couple of years, jogging. I have a slight neck problem from a car accident. I have a lower back problem. You collect these things over time. But i think yoga makes it much easier to live with. People find that they have in a very short time more ease in themselves. They feel more comfortable in this body that we dwell in. Dont wait. Do it now. Youre never too old. Yoga is a series of practices, but its also a philosophy that originated in india thousands of years ago. In fact, yoga encompasses all of ones being, all the dimensions physical, mental, and emotional, as well as spiritual. Yoga, through stretches in the poses, helps not only stretch out tight places in the body tight muscles, but also strengthens weak muscles. And thats particularly important for people with arthritis, people that have become stiff with inactivity or through age as the body has stiffened and theres less flexibility. Ive designed easy yoga for arthritis not only to address arthritis issues, but all joints which have stiffened with age or become less mobile from injury or inactivity. Yoga can make a huge difference in the condition of your body and the quality of your life. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in adults. One in three people are going to feel the affects of arthritis. Movement is one of the best remedies for bringing about greater ease and relief from suffering. It used to be that arthritis sufferers were told to rest, but now we know that exercise is the most important thing that an arthritis sufferer can do. And it must be an exercise that is gentle and kind to the joint. And thats why yoga is so very valuable. I found yoga through peggy cappy. I had been dealing with a painful illness that was affecting my hands and my feet and i became. Over a length of four years i became quite immobile, and could not hold utensils. And it was painful. Paula is a yoga student of mine, and now a yoga teacher herself. She came to class only three years ago, but when she arrived, she was at the end of her rope both physically and mentally. She had a lot of suffering, and she didnt know what to do. I had a great deal of pain that would radiate from. Just from inside the bones, it felt like, from the fingertips all the way up to the shoulders, and from the feet, sometimes up to the knees, and occasionally up to the hips. After four years of this, i really had gone deep within myself to kind of cushion myself from the pain. I think thats how i dealt with it. Barbara has been one of my most loyal and regular students. And you know why . Barbara has had arthritis in just about every joint of her body. And she knows that if she stops moving, shes just going to really feel the effects of that arthritis. But by coming to class week after week, month after month, year after year, she maintains an ease in motion, she maintains a vitality with her life. Im loaded with arthritis and if you dont keep your joints and your muscles moving youre going to get stiffer and stiffer. With the knee, the first knee and then the second knee a year later, i knew it was time, because i could barely walk down one step before the pain was so excruciating from bone rubbing against bone. Many problems that are attributed to arthritis are the result of inactivity, of not moving. Because what happens is when you hurt, you move less. But as you move less, the joint stiffens, and so that causes you to move even less. And so theres a whole cycle buildup, of inactivity. I think if i wasnt doing yoga, i would probably not be getting around like i do. Its made me more flexible, more able to do everything i want to do. I know that immobility in a joint is a very bad thing. If you stop moving the joint completely, the joint actually degenerates. And i know this all too well in my own family. My father suffered an accident during surgery that left him in a coma for months following the surgery. Because he wasnt expected to live, he just lay there. But he came back from that surgery, he gained full consciousness, full mental faculties. But then he was left with a body that could not move. He literally could not move his body. The joints froze. So i know all too well the quality of his life was significantly affected simply by letting his joints lie there and not move. Bob is a remarkable athlete. In his younger days he played football, he played basketball he was very, very active. But as a result of an injury that he suffered in football, he began to have a lot of problems with his knee. They did surgery, removed all the cartilage from his knee. But what happened is that he began to really suffer the problems of arthritis as a result of the trauma that his joints experienced. When i was a sophomore in high school, i was playing football, and i hurt my knee pretty severely. He was the quarterback, and a game, he was tackled. And his cleat caught in one direction, he was pulled in the other, and his knee was blown out. About 12 or 15 years later i started experiencing some pretty good pain in my left knee. At that point i went to an orthopedic surgeon, he took some xrays, he said, yes, you have osteoarthritis, and that, really i cant do anything with you at this point. Maybe if you can wait another 15, 20 years, we can look at doing something. Well, in a 16yearold with no cartilage, bad things are going to happen, and that came to pass. Begin to stretch through your limbs. And when youre ready you can draw your knees into the chest. When bob was about 40, he was suddenly, fairly suddenly, incapacitated, and could no longer walk. He also drives in the car a lot, and his back was also out at that same time. Bob was in great pain. His knee was hot to the touch. It was red, and he was. He almost had to crawl sometimes to get to bed. Working was almost impossible, because he drives in a car. And hed reached a point of just desperate. I dont want to say desperation, but he was in great physical and emotional pain. Bob feels that yoga not only has benefited his joints, but also in the joint that he severely injured, he had muscle atrophy. And whats remarkable is hes been able to develop his muscles, increase not only the strength but the mass of his muscles, as well as take care of the joint. He feels that yoga has been truly a lifesaver for him. I began to urge him to consider yoga. Well, he had misconceptions, or preconceptions, about it. And he balked. He balked for quite a long time. And finally, i said, look, what do you have to lose, your misery . Yoga was a mystery to me. I really didnt know anything about it. And it was such a Foreign Language to me. And go ahead and lift your arms above your head. It was just something i was never exposed to in the past. I think in general, too, men dont know a lot about it, or maybe theyre sort of put off and are skeptical of what the benefits of yoga could be. The physical aspect is most known because of the benefits that the postures in yoga provide. Yoga is an internal cleanser for the body. Think about that. The body moves internally, of course, as well as externally. And so while we think of the muscles being worked, being strengthened, and being stretched, also all of the organs are more or less massaged by the movements that we make. And see if you can make your circle get larger and larger. Chris kelly, theres a woman that has aged gracefully. Shes done yoga most of her adult life, and she claims that, and rightfully so, that yoga has prevented her from having stiffness in her body anywhere. Chris knows that yoga has been a big benefit to her life. She is one of the most vital older people that i know. I am 86 years old. I just think that yoga has kept me in the best of health. And i am so thankful for that. I would say ive been going to yoga classes for 40 years. I have benefited so much by it. I have always been strong. No aches and pains. I wake up in the morning, do my exercises in bed, then i get up and start my day, and feel good. And not many people my age always do that. Now youll need to come up with your own breathing pattern. The physical benefits are pretty remarkable. Often people think, oh, well, its just about stretching and flexibility. Ive had people say, oh, i cant do yoga yet, im not flexible enough yet. And in fact you do yoga to increase flexibility. Im so passionate about yoga because i feel that once someone does yoga, there is an energy thats released to them that begins to work on every aspect of their being. If you look at simply the physical benefits, its amazing. I think if we were born in india we would know how to do this. Its an honor to have Mary Catherine in the class. Shes an author, and well known for her writing. But what impressed me is im an anthropologist by training, and her mother was Margaret Mead and her father gregory bateson. Catherine has found that yoga has been a great benefit to her life as a speaker, and someone who travels a lot, and as an author. I think that at the point where i started doing yoga, i had already had Chronic Fatigue syndrome, and was recovering from it, and wanted a form of exercise that would not make me collapse. I was around 50. I think yoga has kept me more limber. It helps me with balance, which is an issue for me. If i were not doing yoga for an extended period of time, i would have much more sense of deterioration in my body. And if i dont do yoga, i begin to feel the difference. Keeping both legs straight, reach towards the center. I think the deep stretching really does have an effect that goes for several days. People dont even think of me as the same person, because when i first went to yoga, my eyes were always down. I was very inside of myself, because i was fearful of the pain. So were lifting the shoulders and rolling them forward, or lifting the shoulders and pulling them back. And then as i was able to start doing some of the exercises, particularly with the hands and feet, i started to find that, a, there was less pain, and i was beginning to have. My hands were more facile, and i could pick up utensils again. Toes to the right. Heels to the left. In the warmups in class, we do a lot for the fingers, hands, and wrists. And thats to increase the circulation in the joints. And people with osteoarthritis in the hands or Rheumatoid Arthritis in the hands need Gentle Movement to work those joints and to create more ease in the joints. After those first three months i just quietly to myself thought, maybe this is really it. Maybe i really am Getting Better. And within six months i was absolutely positive, because i was now not having days where i couldnt walk. I could walk. And i do remember. You know, one of the things that was so hard for me before was i have a wonderful companion dog, and i couldnt walk him. I both couldnt walk, and i couldnt hold the leash. I couldnt clench my hands. And i remember when i first started being able to take him for just extraordinarily short walks up the driveway and down. And it just was. Its a Chain Reaction of good things. And i also think that yoga is of a whole. Its in the body, but it releases things from the body and the mind, and it can only. It can only benefit you. The benefits of yoga for arthritis are many. Many, many. One of the things thats remarkable is the yoga poses help bring increased circulation to the joints. And thats very important, not only to bring in nutrients, but also to take away waste products and toxins that accumulate in the body. Also the movement of yoga in the joints help stimulate and circulate synovial fluid, which causes the joint to be lubricated. Its kind of like the motor oil for the body. Yoga also is very important by increasing muscle strength because we need strong muscles to protect the joints. Move the hands into an infinity symbol. Ive got much more flexibility, and much, much less pain. And my hands are loaded with arthritis, but they dont hurt. And then just let your hands rest. And now feel that sensation of the movement in the spine. My hands just look a lot worse than they are. I think i just continue to use them and do the exercises that peggy has had us do in class and i have no problem. A few years ago for our 50th anniversary, our whole family came with us to tuscany. And one of my Favorite Places to go to is san gimignano. And theres a tower there. And i was able to climb to the top of that tower. It was between eight and 12 flights of stairs. Not everybody did, but i did. I think if i wasnt doing yoga i would probably not be getting around like i do. I wont say id be in a wheelchair, but its made me more flexible, more able to do everything i want to do. See if you can pull up from the wrists, and then release those wrists down. When people start yoga, often they feel the benefits right away. Maybe as soon as the first class. Ive had people tell me in one class it made such a difference to their well being, they decided to continue. During the day at home, whenever i have the opportunity, i will do some stretches. Every morning i do a couple stretches in the shower, and then when i get out of the shower. And if im lying down watching the tv, i do a lot of the twisting to benefit my back and sciatica problem. And you just incorporate it into your life during the day whenever you think about it. People find that they have, in a very short time, more ease in themselves. They feel more comfortable in this body that we dwell in. And whats wonderful is that its never too late to start. The changes that you see may evolve more slowly, but they are profound. In fact, someone that has started yoga late in life sometimes can see the benefits even faster than a young person who already has a lot of resilience in the body as well as the mind. If you are one of the many that suffers from arthritis, stay right here. Theres so much more to learn. Maybe you have a loved one who suffers from arthritis and would benefit from learning more about yoga for arthritis. People of all ages learn things when they watch programs on pbs. Pbs offers opportunities for people everywhere to keep growing throughout their lives to make their lives richer. We need your support to continue the quality programs youve come to trust. And when you contribute 60, well send along the yoga for arthritis dvd with our thanks, including more than 95 minutes of workout routines that you can do in the comfort of your own home. Heres Laurie Donnelly with other ways that we can thank you for your support. Give us a call or contribute on our secure web site. Laurie . Thank you so much, anne. Now, listen lets talk about it. We know that all of us are stressed, and stress makes everything worse, including arthritis. But peggy cappy has something that will come to your rescue. For your 50 membership pledge right now, we would love to send you the stress relief peggy cappy deep relaxation are you listening to this . For the rest of your life cd. You will love this. This is something easy to incorporate into your everyday life. It comes in several different sections. Theres a 15minute deep relaxation that shell take you through with that beautiful, soothing voice of hers, then you can repeat it, and youll do it all over again. And trust me, itll put you right to sleep. So while youre going to the phone, making that membership pledge, were going back over to anne. Pbs brings the sheer joy of exploration to everyone. We provide americans with hours of enjoyment, opening us up to new and exciting ideas and worlds, like learning about the benefits of yoga for arthritis sufferers. And well be going back to the program in just a few minutes. But now were asking that you take a couple of minutes to give us a call or contribute online. Pitch in and do your share. More than ever, our selfhelp and lifestyle programs are helping members of all ages to live a better, more fulfilling life. Give us a call or contribute on our secure web site. Heres more about the yoga for arthritis dvd thats yours when you contribute 60. And dont forget, that includes all the benefits of membership too. With one out of every three adults suffering from the pain of arthritis, it may be time for you to join the thousands who have made yoga a way of life. When you contribute 60 to your Public Television station, well send you the easy yoga for arthritis dvd with our thanks. Its made me more flexible, more able to do everything i want to do. The dvd includes the 40minute program youve been enjoying, and more than 95 minutes of home workout programs. Learn safe and effective ways to reduce pain and increase your mobility. Its the perfect introduction to yoga for those challenged by arthritis or the stiffness that comes with age or injury. Ive been able to still consider. Pursue hiking, walking, golf, things of that nature. So yoga has helped restore some of my lifes activities that i used to enjoy before. You too can change your life. And for your 100 donation well send you the easy yoga for arthritis dvd and peggy cappys deep relaxation for stress cd. Give us a call now, or contribute on our secure web site. The yoga poses help bring increased circulation to the joints, and thats very important. Its kind of like the motor oil for the body. So exciting to have you here in the studio with us, peggy cappy. I cant believe this is your fifth pbs special. And they just keep Getting Better and better. I think so, too. And i want to take a moment to thank the people who have watched previous shows on yoga and have decided to take the plunge, do yoga for the rest of us because it really, really matters. Yes. Now, this one is specifically for arthritis sufferers. How is it different from your other yoga specials . Well, i have noticed that as we get older, we stiffen. And many people have come to think that thats just part of aging. They tell us that. But its not. And so what ive done is created a program that can be done at home in several stages that works to really loosen up the joints as well as make the muscles strong that support the joints. So what can people expect to see when they call in and ask for the dvd, which this show is really kind of an inspiration for . The show that were watching are just the stories of people where yoga has really made a difference in their lives. But what theyll receive is an athome program, a program that they can do at home, and that will begin to bring some new energy into their body, and begin to work with the body that they have to make it better, stronger, healthier, more vibrant. So they can do this at home they dont have to go out to a yoga class, if theyre really suffering from arthritis, and. Yeah, most people dont want to show off how limited their movement is. And so its a really safe, wonderful way to start at home to start your practice at home and then to really feel in a short period of time the powerful effects. Its wonderful. Well be back with more of peggy cappy in just a moment. Heres Laurie Donnelly with more. Thanks, anne. You know, what i love about this is its like having peggy in your home every day of your life. And shes divided it up into seven different sections, so you can do it one section at a time, or you can do the full 95minute workout. You will love this. The other thing is and we want to emphasize this you can do it in a full standing form, you can also do it leaning on a chair, and you can also do it sitting in a chair. So it really is something for everyone, and thats what i like. It is so accommodating. And again, as she talked about you know, she will take you though the relaxation for your neck, for your shoulders, for your back. Shell take you through, you know, relaxation for your legs for your feet. And also, because a lot of us have the pain in our hands shell take you through that as well. So for your membership pledge of 60, we would love you to go to that phone, make a pledge online. Wed like to hear from you right now. And back over to anne. Were so pleased to bring you this fifth peggy cappy yoga special. There have been so many great ones. We all started off with yoga for the rest of us and more yoga for the rest of us and theres been heart healthy yoga and now theres easy yoga for arthritis. So maybe youre familiar with all of the others. And ill bet you know somebody who could really benefit from this one, whether theyve got arthritis, or theyre starting to stiffen up, or they have a lot of sports injuries. This yoga program is so wonderful, because it really will help you feel better, and then you can start to move even more. So call the number on your screen right now, or go to our secure web site and make a contribution right now. Laurie . Thanks so much, anne. You know, people sometimes ask us, how much is the right amount to contribute to Public Television . And we say, whatever is right for you. Some give 50, 100, 500 a year. Some give annually, and many contribute even two or three times a year, especially when theyre inspired by a program like this one that really speaks to you directly. Now, when you call or contribute online, we have a great group of volunteers that will help you select a great thankyou gift. They can explain how you can use the yoga for arthritis dvd with more than 95 minutes of home workout programs for your 60 donation, or how listening to peggy cappys soothing voice on her stress relief cd can help you achieve true relaxation. So give us a call right now, contribute online, but help you to help yourself. Call right now. Well, peggy, one of the people that we meet in this special is a man named bob, who was quite an athlete when he was younger. And i was really very surprised that he developed arthritis. Are young people today in all their sports and athletics setting themselves up for arthritis later . Well, we think of arthritis as an old persons disease, but what were finding is that anytime a joint is injured, has trauma to it, or overuse, it has the potential to become arthritic. And so what were seeing as that with the active sports that people are experiencing today, sometimes. Like bob. He was a sophomore in high school, and that one event had repercussions for his whole life, so that by the time of 40, he was really, really in a lot of pain and discomfort. Ive heard stories about Young Children who play soccer or, you know, lots of different sports, and they get injured. And im wondering if this program would help them if their parents were to add this yoga to their exercise routine. Would that help . I think yoga is valuable for everybody, and its something that can be learned and then practiced on your own. I think its so valuable because it teaches you how to begin to listen to your body, to your mind, to your whole being, and develops an appreciation for how the movements work in the body. Do Something Wonderful for yourself. Help yourself right now, help this station, and give us a call. Heres laurie with more. Thanks, anne. You know, i have to tell you that peggy dramatically changed my notion of yoga. You do not have to bend like a pretzel to do yoga. In fact, i had the privilege of going to one of peggy cappys classes in peterborough, new hampshire, and i was right next to someone who was 89 years old, and she said, laurie, you can do this. And i tell you, i did. Whether its standing tall leaning on a chair, sitting in a chair, this is yoga that you can incorporate as part or your daily routine. And i think the thing you have to do is stick with it day in, day out. Go to that phone, make a membership pledge of 60. We would love to send you the easy yoga workout. Call right now. Theres a great group of volunteers, and theyre standing by for your call. Thanks. The physical aspect is very important in yoga. But what happens over time when someone practices yoga is they come to see that the benefits for the mind are perhaps more profound than the physical benefits. And the physical benefits are pretty remarkable. In the beginning, you notice the physical changes that are really beneficial. But over time, you notice that ah, Something Else is happening. I have a better ability to focus, better ability to bring myself into the present moment rather than worrying or having anxiety about the future, or feeling overwhelmed by past experiences. Another important aspect is it helps develop balance and harmony through all the systems of the body. So it promotes health on the physical aspect, but the mental aspect is just as important. It helps me with balance, which is an issue for me. And ive also felt that yoga has become a part of my reflective meditative side of my life in a way. That this whole business of concentrating on the breathing and being aware of ones body and noticing changes after activity and so on has given me a new kind of awareness. Im sure it has to do with health, but its also just interesting to live with. One of the things that yoga helps with is. Makes you aware of the relationship between what youre doing physically with your body and and whats going on in your mind. So sometimes i connect my head with the rest of my body. And its interesting when you just think in terms of the breath. Thats two ways, right . Breathing in, you might say, breathing in. I think in some way, what does that say to me about the concept of love . What does it say when i breathe out, right . Then if you have two or three things and youre going through a series of motions and youre still. Then youre still exploring, say, faith, hope, and love, and each one comes with a different bodily motion at a different moment. And you say, ahhah. I just spent some time exploring what these words mean. In addition to the physical benefits, there are emotional benefits that yoga provides. Yoga is one of the greatest stress relievers that i know. And there are components of yoga that really help deal with Emotional Trauma and strain. And slowly down to the left. Yoga is a great antidote to stress. And stress is not a friend of people that suffer with arthritis. As you feel stressed, what happens is that you tense up your muscles. You get really tight. And that tension then creates more pain. Pain creates emotional disturbance, and then the more upset you are, the more pain you create. And its a cycle that just continues. All of us at one time or another, and some people more than others, feel run by our minds. The minds constant chatter seems like it seldom slows down. And for many people, its actually hard to be in the present moment, to be aware of whats happening. Deep breathing itself is known to bring about decreased blood pressure. And with better breathing, sometimes it even affects sleep. People sleep better once theyre doing a yoga program. I began yoga. I had the good fortune to begin yoga when i was only 21. And as a result of my very first yoga class, i knew this was something i would do for the rest of my life. And coming from that place for myself, having that experience myself, thats what kind of drives me in my teaching. I want. I love teaching first time people. I want people to have that great First Experience with yoga so that they too know that all of the benefits are theirs. I think one thing about yoga is that theres a more calming effect, perhaps a little more peaceful. Im more peaceful with myself, and a little more at ease. He liked it. He liked, i think, being able to move again. And he stayed with it. And so for the past ten years, hes faithfully done yoga probably two to three times a week. And the changes are nothing less than miraculous. Meditation and yoga is your life. There is no separation. Yoga is almost like a cultural feeling. When you come into contact with yoga, it affects all parts of your life. I felt like i had found somewhat of a spiritual home base. Allow the energy to flow. And after about three months of really just doing the breathing with her, because i wasnt Strong Enough to do the gentle stretch exercises, but just doing the breathing, i found a great reduction in my pain. In the mornings, i do get up and i meditate. Not for long. Just about ten minutes. And i do my own personal practice first thing in the morning. And its usually a fairly quiet practice. And it has. Its a flowing practice, just to get the juices flowing. I knew. When i went to that yoga class, i knew i wanted to know more. I knew i wanted it to be part of my life for the rest of my life. I also knew that it filled a spiritual gap that i had, and that id been searching to fill that gap for quite a long time. I just think that yoga has kept me in the best of health. And im so thankful for that. It has made such a difference in my life. People cant believe that i walk with my shoulders back. My balance isnt always the best, but that comes with age. I just cant say enough about yoga and what its done for me. And people say, but, oh, i cant do that now, you know, im too old for that. And i keep telling them that well, youd be surprised. And just let me know when you want to go. Ill take you. Yoga is my life. And i dont think that i would ever miss a day of it. And so its one of the most important things i do every day. Yoga is my life. I feel very alive and healthy. I look at people my age, and some people just seem like theyve given up, that they really arent very comfortable in their body. And i feel tremendously vital. I feel young and full of energy, enthusiasm, and i attribute a lot of that to yoga. Its allowed me to find my true self, which is really the goal of yoga, to find the light within yourself, but to find your true self and be confident in that, and in the decision of being yourself. And then you find that people are just fine with that. So what helps you have a good yoga practice . First of all, yoga poses that are safe and effective. Second is a well thoughtout program. Third is being able to practice from home. And another factor that i think people often neglect is you can invite a friend over, or do it with a Family Member. And then theres a social component to the yoga as well, where you just really enjoy taking care of yourself with somebody. Peggy leads the class with her heart. Shes very aware of everyone in the class and their needs, and while she directs the class, she can very discreetly give adaptations out. And she knows exactly who theyre for, and so do we. But it never feels like, i dont think you can do this, so do it that way. Its always a choice, and its always a wonderful way that she enables us, everyone, to be able to do yoga. Sometimes people are hesitant to start yoga, because they feel like they dont have time in their lives, or they feel like not only are they too busy, but they just cant fit in an extra moment to spare. If someone feels like that theyre going to benefit even more from a yoga practice. Other people say theyre too tired for yoga, they dont have enough energy. And its precisely for that reason that they should begin. Tremendous energy is released internally, and you end up feeling so much better and have more energy and endurance for the other daily activities. My recommendation is for you to focus on what you want. You want a better body. You want to move with more ease. You want to be able to enjoy the activities in life that youve always loved. Turn the torso, come into side facing warrior. Bend that knee. And by adding a little yoga to your day, you bring about a sense of ease on every level of your being. I think we live in an instant culture where were used to having instant results. With yoga, you dont need to be afraid that youre moving too slowly. In fact, i encourage you to slow down, to not expect results overnight. But you will see those results very soon. I think yoga means to me. Its more of a. Its a lifetime learning for me. Im hooked on it now, and its something i can do for the rest of my life. The beauty of this yoga program is that anyone can do it. And what i mean is ive provided three different variations of the poses. You can do the yoga from a seated position, you can do the yoga with the support and aid of a chair for balance and alignment. Or you can do the yoga as a preventative to ward off any problems. My students hear me say all the time, you hold a yoga pose as long as it remains comfortable and steady. If its no longer comfortable or steady, time to come out and just be with the conditions that youve created in the body and be with what your needs are. I myself come from a family that has arthritis all over. Not only my mother and grandmother suffered from arthritis, but now my sisters and my brother also complain. One sister ive shown stretches to, and she said they make all the difference in how her hips feel throughout the day. Youre elated for one thing you know . You just have this feeling. You feel so much better, and everythings moving okay. Voile. I think for sure i would suffer from arthritis had i not been doing yoga my whole adult life. From time to time i have a little twinge, and what i do is just rededicate myself to the poses and activities that i know are going to benefit the circulation, benefit the joint and in no time that twinge is gone. Dont wait. Do it now. Youre never too old. When things might get difficult, it still is a process that lifts my mood. If i am having any frustration or sadness, i get on that mat, or i go to a class. Go to a class with people. Its important to go with people too, not just the personal practice. And it will lift your mood as it lifts your body. Yoga is such a very important part of of my life, because it enhances my wellbeing on every dimension. It also puts me in relationship with the cosmos, with the universe, in a way that is very important to me, where i extend the idea of who i am to a bigger picture. Yoga for me, and the philosophy, helps me understand about the mystery of life, and have appreciation and really awe for the fact that we are alive. And by the practice of yoga, i found my lifes purpose. Such a beautiful program, peggy cappy. Thank you. This was an inspiration, and i hope that its going to inspire you to go to the phone right now and support this Public Television station, and also do something really wonderful for yourself. Because the dvd is just such a treasure trove. And tell us about some of the things that make it different from anything else. This dvd is different, as are all my programs, because i start with a warmup. And this one has warmup for the whole body, but then one specially for the hands and wrists. And its important because i was trained as a dancer early on and a dancer would never not honor the body by warming up before going into a combination. And so i use that gentle approach. But whats interesting is that so much can be worked in in the warmups themselves. We use both halves of the brain, so its a brain exercise, as we sometimes do figure eight movements, or infinity symbol movements. Well, this would be great for somebody who suffered from stroke, or. I learned that information from someone who did suffer from a stroke, yeah, so its very good. Thats fantastic. And then there are 95 minutes of workout programs on this dvd. So you can do this in the comfort of your own home. Go to your phone and support it right now, wont you . Thank you. Thanks, anne. You know, peggy created this special because she wanted to help alleviate the symptoms of the leading cause of disability in the united states. But i think the tendency is when you feel pain, do nothing. But the fact is, you need to move. And im telling you, the best way to move is go to that phone, get off the couch, make a wonderful membership pledge of 60, and we will send you the dvd. This dvd includes the broadcast show you just saw. But what you will love is it also includes 95 minutes of home workouts. There are three varieties of poses that youll see. You can do it standing, you can do it seated, and you can also do it just holding onto a chair. You will love this. Trust me a few sessions and it will dramatically change your life. So go to that phone, make a pledge right now, and were going back over to anne. Thanks, laurie. Pbs helps you follow your individual passions, like the people in the yoga for Arthritis Program that youve just seen. We offer ideas, models, advice and practical guidance to help you discover your place in life. You can explore the really big issues, like identity and religion, or you can learn a handson skill. Were here to provide resources to inspire everyone to realize their inner potential, and lead fulfilling and enriching lives. Support quality Public Television today. Here are ways that we can say thanks when you do. With one out of every three adults suffering from the pain of arthritis, it may be time for you to join the thousands who have made yoga a way of life. When you contribute 60 to your Public Television station, well send you the easy yoga for arthritis dvd with our thanks. Its made me more flexible, more able to do everything i want to do. The dvd includes the 40minute program youve been enjoying, and more than 95 minutes of home workout programs. Learn safe and effective ways to reduce pain and increase your mobility. Its the perfect introduction to yoga for those challenged by arthritis or the stiffness that comes with age or injury. Ive been able to still consider. Pursue hiking, walking, golf, things of that nature. So yoga has helped restore some of my lifes activities that i used to enjoy before. You too can change your life. And for your 100 donation well send you the easy yoga for arthritis dvd and peggy cappys deep relaxation for stress cd. Give us a call now, or contribute on our secure web site. The yoga poses help bring increased circulation to the joints, and thats very important. Its kind of like the motor oil for the body. When you think about it, one in three people have arthritis and yet only one percent of them are actually doing something beyond taking medications. We wanted this show to inspire you to get off that couch, do gentle easy yoga for arthritis. For just five dollars a month, you can make a 60 contribution, and we will send the dvd right out to you. You will love it. More than 95 minutes of home workout with three varieties of poses seated, standing, or holding a chair. Or why decide . Lets have the 100 dvd and cd gift combo. You will love this. This will teach you to relax. And this is the program that you can follow every day for the rest of your life. So go to the phone right now. Weve got great volunteers standing by, and right now were going back over to anne and peggy. You know, peggy, one of the things that i found so heartwarming and so inspiring in this program is to see these people who started off not being able to do anything, and they seem to be getting so much better. What are the cumulative effects of doing yoga . Well, personally i think were all getting younger by doing yoga. But there is something that happens. Once you start taking care of yourself and you start feeling better on every level, then youll be able to think about your family in a way that takes care of them. And soon its youre thinking about your community, and finally the whole environment. And were really attuned to the needs of our planet today. And i think it starts first with being able to take care of yourself, and to give yourself the nurturing and the care and the support that your body needs to be its best so that you can go forth and do whatever your passions lead you to. You know, and this sounds exactly like what were actually doing here by creating programs like this and showing them to people and sharing with them what they can do, how they can make their own lives better. So when youre watching these programs and then youre calling and youre making a donation and asking for the program for yourself, youre going to get so much better and so much stronger, but so is your community, because youre supporting Public Television. This is why youve come to Public Television for all five of your specials. Well, its my passion to do yoga, and its my passion to teach yoga, and thats what i can do this way. So pick up the telephone and give us a call right now, and give your support. Heres laurie. You know, Public Television is different from other businesses. In fact, you know, it might be easier to think of it more like a coop, because everyone has a stake here at the station. Some of our funding comes from sponsors, another portion comes from the corporation for public broadcasting, but, you know, the bulk of it comes from you, our viewers, who make annual financial gifts. Its worked this way for decades, and what we like best about this model is theres really a sense of ownership and responsibility that it gives to you, our supporters. So please consider what you can do right now. Get started with a gift of just five dollars or ten dollars a month, whatever is comfortable for your pocketbook. But help contribute and help support programs like the one you are watching right now. The volunteers are standing by and we are waiting for your call. Back over to anne and peggy. If youre not a member, what are you waiting for . Think about all the wonderful programs that you watch on your Public Television station and how much you depend on it day after day, year after year. You always know that youre going to walk away from watching Public Television feeling better than when you tuned in. So check your membership card. If you are a member, maybe its time to renew. If youre not a member, join now, and do something thats really good for you. When you call and contribute just 60, well send you this wonderful dvd. And this program that youve been watching will be on that. Its the 40minute broadcast program that is that inspiration, and helps you reconnect with all those people whose stories are so inspiring. And then youll get 95 minutes of the home workouts. This is something that you can do all by yourself or with a friend at home. So go to your phone, give us a call, and support us right now. Can we talk . I want you to go to that phone right now and do yourself a favor. Make a membership pledge of 60, and we would love to send you the easy yoga for arthritis dvd. You will love this. This will be a lifesaver in your life. There is more than 90 minutes, a home workout session. And what i love about it, its designed in seven sections, so you can do them all at once if you really feel like it or you can take them two sections at a time. The other thing that is terrific is that depending on your level of ability, you can do it standing up, you can do it holding onto a chair, you can do it sitting down. The most important thing is in our busy lives, we need to take time for ourselves. We need to make ourselves feel better. And i think this dvd can really help. So go to that phone, make a pledge right now, and back over to anne and peggy. Well, i hope that youve seen now that you really can do something to help your arthritis symptoms. But peggy, if theres somebody out there whos hesitating about taking on yoga, what would you say to them . I would say that. Karens line of, what have you got to lose . Its such a simple thing you can do to get this program. Become my student. Do yoga with me. Im passionate about what yoga can do for you. So get the dvd, do it with a friend. If you want a Family Member to do it, do it with them. Just do it. I think thats very, very important, that theres somebody in your life who you know would benefit from this program. And you can have some quality time with them at the same time. So bring it over to your mominlaw, or your father inlaw, bring it to your athletic friends, do the workout, make yourself stronger, make your community stronger, and make your Public Television station stronger by donating it and supporting right now. Go to your phone, wed love to hear from you. Thank you. Captioned by Media Access Group at wgbh access. Wgbh. Org explore new worlds and new ideas through programs like this, made available for everyone through contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. Thank you. Be more. Pbs. Get onboard were ready to go see the world from the Scenic Railroad from the snowcapped mountains to the sunny coast on the Great Scenic Railway journey oh, when the train comes along oh, when the train comes along gonna meet you at the station when the train comes along welcome to Great Scenic Railway journeys. Im david holt. Today, north america offers more Railway Adventures than anywhere else in the world. And in this program, were going to give you a taste of some of the very best, from historic steam trains to elegant dinner trains, to the most luxurious rail liners anywhere in north america, all coming up next on Great Scenic Railway journeys. North americas Great Railroad legacy began on august 8, 1829 when Horatio Allen tested an englishbuilt steamer named the stourbridge lion in northeast pennsylvania. This historic event would help slingshot north america into an industrial giant over the next hundred years. By the time america entered the civil war, there were more than 60,000 miles of Railroad Track in the united states. By the turn of the century it ballooned to more than 190,000. The railroads played such a significant, almost unequaled role in the development of the country. Holt today the railroads that helped build the world around us are slowly disappearing. Nearly 60 of all track laid in north america has been abandoned or torn up. For every mile of track scrapped, another link to our past is lost forever. [ bell clanging ] the tourist railways and museums of north america have helped stop that trend and today they are the driving factor that helps save, preserve and present our rich railroad heritage. We can never give up this heritage. We can never let it slide. Weve got to make sure that we revere and remember these great historic projects. What we hold onto for our culture defines on who we are, or who we were. And holding on to the railways defines, it keeps us in touch with where we came from. I think the tourist railroads play an Important Role in the fabric of our society. Without the opportunity to ride these trains, i think we cut off a part of our heritage and our culture. Holt our tourist railways and museums offer up much more than just a train ride or a walk through a museum full of artifacts and equipment. They are a way to get up close and personal and let your senses come alive as you see, hear, smell, touch and even taste our past. Its a History Lesson like no other. I think its very important that we preserve our heritage. People went to so much trouble to make this for us. And i think its real important that we honor their memory and the history that we have here and that children for many generations will be able to come and experience things that their ancestors rode on for years. Holt come along with Great Scenic Railway journeys, as we venture out and visit some of the premier trains around north america. 17 in all. We will also introduce you to the men and women that help keep our Railroad History alive and on the rails today so all of us can step back in time and partake in some of our railroad heritage. All coming up next on Great Scenic Railway journeys. [ steam whistle blowing ] our first stop starts right here, at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in duluth, minnesota. It houses one of the finest collections of Historic Railroad equipment and artifacts anywhere, and the great thing about it is, a lot of the pieces in the collection like this alco engine, are operational and used in a variety of mainline excursions that they offer. The museum is located in downtown duluth, minnesota situated on the southwestern corner of Lake Superior. Your own railroading passion will light up the minute you walk into the museum housed in the old union depot, which is chockful of railroad memorabilia, equipment and artifacts that were actually used in this area of minnesota and wisconsin around the turn of the century. [ bell clanging ] and much of what you see isnt just for show. One of the things that we learned early on by running the north shore Scenic Railroad in conjunction with the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, is that artifacts are better maintained if theyre used. And what it allows us to do is to show our guest visitors a different look at Railroad History every time they come and visit. Holt the museum has a wellequipped and spacious shop. Curator tom gannon and his crew of paid staff and volunteers work very hard to maintain their extensive collection. Theres an awful lot going on in this shop all the time. Theres usually at least two or three projects, sometimes more. And its very key to our ability to stay ahead and to get projects done so that we can add more exhibits to the museum and, at the same time, keep the Rolling Stock working so that our visitors that come during the summer and ride our trains are able to enjoy the ride. [ steam whistle blowing, bell clanging ] holt with 28 miles of track and a wide variety of equipment, the railroad is able to offer several different excursions for you to choose from. Theyve even got a dinner train, but with a notable twist. Good evening, everyone, and welcome. The Lake Superior Railroad Museum and north shore Scenic Railroad welcomes you onboard our elegant dinner train tonight. Holt the north shore folks invite local chefs from the area fine dining establishments to prepare and present their dinners right there on the train. Each week its a different chef and a new and exquisite menu. And youll savor your meal in one of the most authentic dining cars in the country the lake of the isles. The car was built in the 1950s for the Great Northern railways empire builder. And the proof is right there in the original glass relief partitions unique and rare elements that hearken back to those glorious days of elegant dining on the rails. It inspires some to dress the part. Well, this is supposed to be like a 40s, 50s train and a dinner experience, and its just fun to dress up and try to create the mood of the time. We have great friends that came with us. Everybody dressed up. And it was just fun to kind of try to relive a little bit of that time when it was a little more romantic than maybe today. Trains are just fun. Holt thes an equal amount of fun going on in the back of the train as well and its geared for the kids. The railroad offers family pizza nights when they operate the dinner train. This railway truly has something for everyone. The regular daylong Excursion Train is also a favorite especially when your trip is being pulled by the magnificently restored soo mainline steam engine, on loan from the locomotive and Tower Preservation Fund at eau claire, wisconsin. With 78inch drivers and a full head of steam, 2719 can still sustain 90 miles an hour. But your journey proceeds at a safe, leisurely pace, so that you can delight in the sights and sounds of duluths bustling shipyards, where the big ships connect america to the worlds markets. And then on to the north through Pristine Lake shore woods. Its a 56mile round trip. Theyll cross seven different rivers and streams with bridges that are over 200 feet above the chasm below. There are gorges with fastrunning north shore streams and rivers that cascade over rocks all the way down to freshen themselves into Lake Superiors waters. Holt youll stop for a few hours at the charming town of two harbors, minnesota, and left free to explore before heading back to duluth. But some riders prefer to stick around and watch 2719 being prepared for the return to duluth. Getting this close to a living breathing iron horse sparks the imagination and fires the passion of Railroad Enthusiasts of all ages. I want to be able to remember this day for the rest of my life because this was my first ride on a Steam Locomotive. It was just incredible to watch that hulking monster blowing smoke all over the place especially with the cylinder cocks open, that was my favorite part. Then the locomotive was blowing its whistle and dinging the bell. You got to love trains. I mean, who wouldnt love that . It just fills you with excitement, doesnt it . Holt maybe samuels excitement and passion will lead him to one day join the ranks of north shores many volunteers and help preserve and present this areas rich Railroad History. Ive been here since i was 8 years old. So its kind of been like a daycare. Ive been giving these guys a lot of gray hairs and learning a lot along the way. Do it one more. Kale is a very good student. Hes very interested. He wants to learn. And hes doing a very good job. Holt together, oldtimer and apprentice work to preserve a priceless past. Later steam engines, or the last steam engines, had roller bearings on most of this and they didnt have to grease them like this. Holt in franks mind, people like kale and other volunteers play a vital role in preserving americas railroading legacy. They are the future because my age, there isnt going to be many of us left around that actually worked steam engines. Holt thankfully, theres a new generation of passionate railroaders following in franks footsteps. Its working with history. Where else in the world could a 20yearold kid like myself have an opportunity to work with a piece of equipment from 1923 with folks that did it for over 50 years . I mean, the knowledge that im getting, most people in their lives would dream about. And i feel extremely privileged. Holt and youll feel privileged, too, when you spend time at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum and at the north shore Scenic Railroad, where you and your family can immerse yourself in another time and place and experience firsthand this regions rich transportation heritage. The luxury rail liner has long faded from the north american landscape. And today, only a handful operate worldwide. One of the most famous is Royal Canadian pacific. It proudly carries on this historic tradition and offers a fivestar culinary feast of food, hospitality and accommodations all the while traveling through the beautiful Canadian Rockies. The starting point for this journey takes us to the heart of alberta, canada, and the city of calgary. When it comes to offering luxury on the rails, Royal Canadian pacific is considered one of the finest experiences in the world. A journey on this train is about leaving the world of everyday life behind and relaxing, revitalizing in an environment of lavish rail luxury and beautiful scenery. It all begins inside the historic Canadian Pacific train station in downtown calgary, where the Royal Canadian pacific throws a reception for guests who arrive from around the world to savor whats ahead. Were looking forward to the overall experience. Its like, you look at these cars, its like stepping back into history. And then in addition to that youve got tremendous food tremendous wine, and the most fascinating passengers that youd ever meet. Holt the Royal Canadian staff of 15 greets the guests, who in turn meet each other. A nice icebreaker for more than 40 people about to spend five nights and six days together in railroad wonderland. Here at Royal Canadian pacific, our goal is to make sure that when guests come onboard, their trip that theyre on is not really a trip its more of a life experience. Holt on the first morning, canadians looking up at this milelong trestle at the right time would have seen the 10 cars passing overhead. Seven cars for guests, three for staff, and scenery for everyone. This is an unbelievable view. I love the greenery and just the scenery. And the valley itself with the Old Man River is just unbelievable. Holt and these are just some of the views that await passengers as they venture into the Canadian Rockies. [ train horn blows ] owned by the Canadian Pacific railway, this parade of almost 100yearold cars earned the royal designation from Queen Elizabeth ii in 2000. Royal also applies to the Mount Stevens, the luxury car that is situated at the end of the train. Other than at meals, the Mount Stevens is where guests most often share hors doeuvres and discuss their experiences so far. This trip is not all about luxury and beautiful scenery. The railroad also likes to educate its guests on some of canadas pioneering history thats along its route. Residents of the coal town of frank called this Turtle Mountain because they said it always seemed like it was moving. Unfortunately, it was. There was a devastating rock avalanche in 1903 that came down, buried part of the town of frank and killed at least 90 people. Holt two million cubic feet of Turtle Mountain flowed like a roaring liquid over frank and the Railroad Tracks, too leaving a vast Rock Cemetery for the stillburied town. The frank slide is one of the many stops along the line of the Royal Canadian pacific. Others include a visit to the picturesque lake louise region golf at one of four mountain courses, and in what looks like a scene from a river runs through it, flyfishing. Ive been flyfishing most of my life and to have the opportunity to come here be on the train every evening, flyfish during the day, is like dreamlike. Oh, its cold ohhh holt for others, the chance to cool off in the fresh Mountain Lakes beckons. Where else can you take a rail journey deep in the Canadian Rockies and swim in the pristine mountain waters . Its the stuff of memories. Just to be swimming in the rockies. Holt theres another quiet side to the Royal Canadian pacific, where guests prefer a good book, a soft pillow and no shoes. I feel like this queen, i think. Traveling in this fancy train. [ chuckles ] holt one of the key ingredients that makes this journey so special is its staff. The level of service to date has been unsurpassed. You cannot ask for any more. The attentiveness, the helpfulness. Everything the staff could possibly do has been done. Holt all the staff on the train work tirelessly to make their guests experience a royal one. The level of service is upscale. Its luxury. Its about the details. Its about, no needs are gone unmet. Holt china and crystal and silver get the whiteglove treatment as attendants prepare the dining car for another meal, while the rest of the magic unfolds in the kitchen, where four frenchtrained chefs create art. But its more than just the cooking, its the ambience. Its the friendships that are gained within the guests themselves. And also the staff service. Its a richness that you cant find anywhere else. Holt the food and service is just one of the many highlights of this trip. The other is the breathtaking scenery that surrounds you. And the best place to absorb it all is on the back of the Mount Stevens car. You run out of words to describe it. Its just. It takes your breath away at every turn. If you think theyve got a better view, weve got a better view. Theres views everywhere you look. Its tremendous. Holt from canadas beauty to exquisite dining, a staff that meets and anticipates guests every need. And fellow travelers who become friends. This journey may end after six days, but it lasts a lifetime. u . P theres only one railway in north america thats been a part of nearly 400 feature films, tv shows and commercials. The fillmore and western railroad is a favorite with hollywood producers because of its location, equipment and expertise in railroading. The railroad is located in the town of fillmore california, which lies about 50 miles north of los angeles. Theres something very familiar about the trains youll see rolling through this part of the santa clara valley. Youve seen this a hundred times. You just dont know it. So that makes it kind of interesting. Holt the Fillmore Western Railroad is called the home of the movie trains, because theyve been a part of so many productions, ranging from magazine shoots to Television Commercials primetime hit shows and feature films. A couple of weeks ago we had fear factor out doing stunts. Csi. Pretty much all of the Tv Productions thats close to hollywood come out and visit us occasionally, so thats kind of fun. [ horn blowing, bell clanging ] holt being part of those productions helps keep their vintage diesel engines and Rolling Stock, along with the 1913 Steam Locomotive, in regular service and out of a museum. Helping keep this historical equipment on the rails is an army of volunteers. My nickname on this railroad is blackie, because i was covered in soot the very first day i came here as a volunteer. Holt but david is not your typical railroad volunteer. Im actually a professional musician. Im an orchestra pit musician. Most of my work is broadway shows. So it works out in my favor because during the day ive got free. And so i can come here and volunteer, and at night do my gigs. Holt hes one of many volunteers from the area that come to help keep this 1913 baldwin Steam Locomotive in operation. Just getting the opportunity to be upclose with one and being able to take care of one and to help maintain one it just feels really special. Just to be around these machines, it just inspires so much romanticism and inspiration. A lot of our volunteers are very interesting people from nonrailroad backgrounds, which is wonderful, and its nice to have a new generation and new blood into steam railroading. [ bell clanging ] its a great example of like, if someone cares enough, these trains can be running again. They can be working pieces of beautiful machinery that people can enjoy. Holt and hundreds of thousands of people do each year thanks in part to sarah and david. They help in creating a oneofakind experience for all to enjoy. Most passengers venture to the openair cars. Here your senses come alive. You can smell the fruit trees, feel the gentle breeze, and bask in the warm sunshine. Oh, my gosh, well, its a Beautiful Day out. We have this gorgeous Southern California weather and just to be outside and appreciating the scenery and doing something with my family is amazing. [ train horn blows ] holt the railway has a large variety of cars for you to ride in. Another favorite is the powhatan. Its a beautifully restored 1928 pullman parlor car with some very unique features. The inside interior is still primarily as it was when they made it in 1928. The brass fans are still original, the lighting is still original. All the hardware. And it was able to be preserved and restored back into its original state. Holt movies and commercials often demand different looks, so these cars and locomotives have been repainted and reconfigured countless times. [ horn blows ] we like to keep them originallooking for the film industry, so when you come out here, youll see a coach its going to be pretty much like when it came off the railroad. Holt still, when youre dealing with hollywood, even the railroad tunnels arent what they seem. We built this movie set in six weeks for Walt Disney Productions return to witch mountain. Holt that was just one of several films the fillmore western have been part of. We got finished doing water for elephants. That was the last huge production that was on the property. And then weve done inception and sea biscuit. It goes on and on. The list is. Quite long on the major Motion Pictures that weve been involved in. Holt when the sun goes down, one of the railroads other trains becomes the Star Attraction for many who are looking to enjoy a fine meal on the rails. Our dinner trains are very unique, theyre 1950 streamliners. People can have a sevencourse meal that is prepared onboard and it takes people back in time, maybe back in the 50s and 60s. Holt back when conversation was part of the trip. Besides my wife, i dont know anyone on this train before i got on it, so, its been fun meeting new people. The food is excellent i had a wonderful time. It was a great experience. If i had the opportunity i would do it again. Holt theres a wide variety of equipment and experiences to be found here. Because whether youre making a movie or a family memory youll find theres nothing like finding the right machine to help you travel through time. Its like a physical nostalgia that you can actually touch. Its really something special. You know that its, its seen and experienced a lot of things even though its just a machine. People say, if these walls could talk. Well, these cars do talk. You just have to listen. They talk. [ bell clanging ] [ steam whistle blows ] holt and youll hear it in a Quiet Community just outside the movie capital of the world, or on your next trip to the theater, to see the heavy hardware of the fillmore western stealing the show. [ bell clanging ] the Pacific Northwest of canada has a rich history written by the railroads and the logging industry. Our next location is the only place in the country where you can ride a steam train, see the countrys only steampowered sawmill in operation, and watch a steampowered donkey in action. To be able to experience this steam adventure, you need to head to Vancouver Island british columbia, and the community of port alberni. [ bell clanging ] port alberni is a community built by the Timber Industry and people here never forgot those roots. Had the first export sawmill in 1860 and a pulp mill in 1894. Both basically failed and it was due to transportation, and with the building of the railway in 1912, that opened things up. [ steam whistle blows ] holt the rails still lead deep into the forest, to hills covered in douglas fir. High as the sky and the color of money. At the restored train station, youll find engine number 7, looking every bit as good as she did back in 1929. John land had a long career working on steam vessels in the canadian navy. And when he arrived here in early 2000 to retire, he got an opportunity to work once again in the profession he loves though this steam engine is far less complicated to operate. I like the raw power of the engine. To be able to crack open that throttle and watch it dig in and get going. Holt these days, instead of hauling timber, its loaded with people, who want to take a ride back in time to the mcclean mill. Please, feel free to board up and ill help you onboard. Were going to have a wonderful day today and a wonderful journey to the mcclean mill, a National Historic site. All aboard holt conductor kevin hunter has been a part of the operation from almost the beginning and feels its very important to present this history. This is a bit of a dying art to run a steam train, to man a steam train, to restore a steam train. And this is part of our history. Its not like were restoring something from across canada or from the united states. This locomotive ran in our town for 16 years, so this is part of our history. [ bell clanging ] holt along the way, you find out how much people love having this train running once again. Lots of smiles, a friendly wave from neighbors along the tracks. [ steam whistle blows ] vintage cars and trucks chase the train as you journey up the mountain. Just an added attraction that makes you feel like things havent changed a bit. But this trip has more surprises ahead and memories to be made. All right, everybody, welcome to mcclean mill. My name is james and this is my fellow tin pants theater troupe. Weve got a great day planned for you today. Holt the mill is a National Historic site a living, breathing example of how to turn timber into income. The last steamdriven sawmill in western canada, if not all of canada. Built in 1926 and operated continuously till december 17, 1965. Holt here you can get up close and personal with the equipment, as the staff gives you a visual History Lesson like no other. The mcclean mill still hisses and spins. Rumbles and shakes as it did many years ago. Though what you see on top is intriguing, what you see under the mill will fascinate you. When you start the engine everything starts to roll because everything is connected by flat belts. Throughout the mill theres about a 1,000 feet of flat belt, which connects all the pieces of equipment to the main engine. Holt including the top saw with a 50inch blade and a bottom saw with a 54 inch. Even after all these years, its still got an appetite for this old growth timber. Pretty entertaining for the people when they see a large log like that cut. The sight, the sound, the smell. You can taste in your mouth, you know. Very energizing and kind of exciting. Okay, welcome to the oldtime logging demonstration here at the mcclean mill National Historic site. What youre going to see here youre not going to see anyplace else in canada. Were the only people doing this the way it was done in the old days. Holt and some visitors get some handson experience in one of the toughest jobs here getting the logs out of the woods. Using the only steampowered donkey in canada. Pull hard youve got it. She set her first choker. Whoo i think its very important to let her know that things were not always the way that she knows now, but people were working really hard in the olden days and it took a lot more effort to get jobs done than what we are used to now. This is almost our grandfathers generation. You realize, these guys werent sitting behind offices and cubicles, these guys were out there risking their life and limb every day to be able to get a job, get an honest living, work outdoors. A lot of cases, be able to supply the things i think too many people take for granted. [ steam whistle blows ] holt the roots still run deep in port alberni. Even a visitor from halfway around the world can feel it. Just the feel of the place, its got a history to it. You can almost feel the past. People, you know, whove done it before, the ghosts of the place. It was quite an experience. We have a great history a proud history in port alberni through our forestry heritage, and through the mcclean mill and the railway and the steam donkey, the ability to preserve and present this to generations is awesome. Its needed, its required i believe. Its where we came from and its a proud part of our west coast history. [ steam whistle blows ] our next stop takes us deep into the southern Appalachian Mountains of tennessee, for a breathtaking journey through the Cherokee National forest. Now, not much has changed here since this line was built in 1890. The Hiwassee River rail adventure gives its passengers a glimpse of what it was like to travel on this railroad over a hundred years ago. Lets head to the small town of etowah, tennessee, for our next trip, a place that owes a lot to its Railroad History a history thats still being written today. A lot of towns can say they grew and prospered because of the railroad. But etowah, tennessee, owes its very existence to the ribbons of steel that rolled through here in the early part of the last century. And in 1902, the railroad came in and decided to position a town here, to be halfway between atlanta and cincinnati to change out crews. Holt the Louisville Nashville Railroad first built a depot, then a grid of streets. 2,800 employees followed and etowah grew up quick. Then the depression hit, and a year later, the good times rolled to a stop. In 1930, the 2,800 Railroad Workers in town dropped to just 80. 102 businesses went bankrupt. But that was only chapter one. Because etowah had more of a story to write. And chapter two also starts in the old depot. Thats where people come to learn about the men who turned this community into a bustling rail town so many years ago, through pictures, artifacts, and the stories that bring history to life. You see, etowah wasnt just a convenient place for the l n to locate its shops, its also the gateway to a shortcut, a hiccup in the southern appalachians, called the hiwassee gorge. Good afternoon, everybody. Welcome to todays hiwassee rail adventure. Were going to be taking a 50mile round trip up to farner up the Bald Mountain and along the Hiwassee River gorge. Holt theres no roads and no trails through here, only the old line, which was built by the knoxville Southern Railway in 1890. The last scheduled passenger train rolled through in 1951. The last load of freight in 2001. The old line was scheduled to be torn up for scrap. But people like the folks at the Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association wouldnt let go and helped come up with the money they needed to save the line. You know, people told us it wasnt possible. We had all kinds of reasons why this couldnt happen that were put out when we began to talk about this. It took a lot of different partners who came together and just said, weve got to save this railroad. [ train horn blows ] holt now, youll find soldout Excursion Trains on this line. A rare opportunity to ride through the gorge, where it took centuries for the river to carve a path for the railroad to navigate alongside of. But theres Something Else along the old line. An engineering marvel that Harvey Blassingame got to see firsthand during his 33 years working on the l n. Something harvey calls one of the wonders of the world. Ladies and gentlemen, we are now approaching the Bald Mountain loop. The Bald Mountain loop ascends 480 feet at about a 1 or 2 grade. It loops around Bald Mountain two times. Most people, the first time they make that trip, when you go round the first loop you dont think nothing about it because you go around through there and go under the bridge. But then when you come back around the second loop, you look off down there and see that track youve just come over and you think its another railroad. [ chuckles ] weve had guys making their first trip, they would ask you what railroads that down there . Holt when the old line was first built in 1890, a series of switchbacks were built to get the trains over the Steep Mountain grade. This was a tedious and timeconsuming process. It was a real bottleneck. Then engineer t. A. Aber came up with a solution a double loop, where the track winds around the mountain, then crosses over itself as it continues to climb. Theres very few of them left in the united states. Very few of them left in the world. And i think that were possibly the only one that is carrying passengers now. Holt its a rare opportunity to see the tracks that had many a train chasing its own tail. If you were in a 108passenger car train, the front of the train would actually pass over the back of the train. And its just very unique to see where youve been and where youre going. Holt eventually, where theyre going is copper hill an old mining town at the top of the mountain. A couple of hours to wander, to explore, even grab some lunch at a riverfront cafe across the bridge and across the state line in mccaysville, georgia. Then its time to head back. Down the mountain, around the Bald Mountain loop, and through the gorge. One more chance to take in this beautiful and isolated part of the Appalachian Mountains. If we dont do it now, these train rides may not be around in 10, 20 years time. It would be so fun getting to experience what it would be like back then, too, and getting to know how they did it back then, how they got along without all the modernday equipment we have now. Holt along the way, you might notice the newest chapter in the story of the old line freight cars hauling the leftovers from longclosed mines in copper hill. Its a way to make some money and keep this pathway to the past open for generations to come. The story of the old line isnt over yet. Theres probably a few more chapters still to be written. And i dont think we know yet, in the next 50 to 100 years, exactly how our economy will shake down, so we might just need a fine old Mountain Railroad again. Weve looked at how our towns have changed. Theyre constantly evolving. And i see that right now another revolution. And ours, which once before was all wrapped around the train now our economy here is now starting to wrap around the train once again. Holt just like the loop that wrapped the rails around a Tennessee Mountain more than a century ago. u . P