In a city obsessed with youth and high-intensity fitness, 93-year-old Salomon Delgado has become one of California‘s most cherished yoga instructors.
Born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, he moved to Los Angeles in 1959 at age 27 and built a life that spanned careers as a chef, graphic designer, and health food store owner.Â
Delgado discovered yoga in his mid-30s and earned his teaching certification in 1972.Â
He began teaching at the Sivananda Center in Hollywood before opening his own studio in Westwood, which he named Scientific Yoga to highlight the connection between mind, body, and breath.
Since then, Delgado – known as Raghavan Dad in the studio – has taught thousands of students. Today, he leads daily classes at a flagship 24 Hour Fitness, drawing devoted students year after year.Â
His sessions blend gentle stretches, sun salutations, balance exercises, breathwork, and meditation, structured to keep bodies strong and minds calm.Â
Despite his age, Delgado remains in excellent health, with only minor concerns: poor eyesight and high blood pressure managed with a pacemaker. He credits his longevity to four simple habits: a pescatarian diet he has followed for 45 years, hydration, daily meditation, and most importantly, consistent movement.  Â
‘It’s very important: no matter how old you are, you need to move,’ he told the LA Times. ‘Or you become totally an invalid. Even the little bones in your hands and feet. Move.’
He does not suffer from chronic stiffness or pain and makes it a point to do around 25 minutes of gentle yoga every day. Over the years, he has enjoyed swimming, biking, walking, and dancing.
Delgado – known as Raghavan Dad in the studio – has taught thousands of students and has become a staple in the LA fitness scene
93-year-old Salomon Delgado has become one of California ‘s most cherished yoga instructors
Today, he leads daily classes at a flagship 24 Hour Fitness that blend gentle stretches, sun salutations, balance exercises, breathwork, and meditation
Delgado’s expertise extends beyond yoga. He has studied kinesthesiology, physiology, and anatomy, and holds certifications in Pilates, aerobics, and senior fitness.Â
His approach reflects a deep understanding of how movement supports longevity – a philosophy he embodies every day.
‘A focused, attentive person is a more relaxed person,’ he told the LA Times. ‘You have less stress. Stress destroys your nervous system and makes you sick.’
Delgado told the LA Times that retirement isn’t on his horizon and that he plans to teach as long as he is physically able.
‘I need to teach my class. Can you imagine if I lose touch with these people? What am I going to do? Look out there all day and wait for the hearse to come and pick me up?’
He said the joy and purpose he found in teaching yoga invigorated him in his later years. He urged others, especially seniors, to seek meaningful activities that kept them engaged.Â
‘It’s very important to have something to do that you enjoy. I encourage my seniors who are retired to join an organization to help others,’ he told the LA Times. ‘Because that gives them importance to living.
The last piece of advice Delgado told the LA Times was to ‘hug someone every day’ as it ‘changes your energy.’
Share or comment on this article:
Ultra-popular LA yoga instructor aged NINETY THREE reveals his four simple secrets to longevity