Meet the Trainer: Cas Castro
For anywhere from 400 to 700 older adults across the nation, Morning Stretch with Cas Castro is like their cup of coffee – there is no better way to start the day.
We spoke with Cas – who is undoubtedly one of the most familiar faces at Senior Planet from AARP, in addition to being one of our most recognized trainers by Senior Planet Supporters – all about his cross-discipline methodology and how he keeps things fresh day after day for hundreds of students.
Morning stretch is our most attended offering – what do you attribute the success to?
I sometimes say, “Morning stretch doesn’t take time – it gives you time.”
Everyone is struggling right now with stress, anxiety and all these uncertainties. So I started doing the program not only doing yoga stretches – I incorporated affirmations and meditation, scanning the body and observing. I got a little bit of this and that from different teachers. If you ask the participants, they’ll say Cas’s class is different every day – I think that’s been part of the success.
But we always close with the five universal principles which are: “Just for today I will let go of worry; just for today I will let go of anger; just for today I will work honestly; just for today I will be grateful; and just for today I will be kind to others.” People know it by heart now.
[Yoga] used to be too slow for me, I had to get older to appreciate the benefits.
What led you to becoming a fitness instructor?
I’ve been doing kung fu since the age of 16 – that was my first passion. Then I moved to Venezuela and I worked 23 years as a maritime agent for a shipping company. I don’t know why, but after work I was always doing something fitness related.
As I started getting older, I stepped back a little from kung fu because of the injuries involved in combat. So I started moving towards the more internal part – yoga and then tai chi. Then I started doing meditation. Every time it kept going slower, slower, slower. It used to be too slow for me, I had to get older to appreciate the benefits.
When I moved back to the States, I started teaching at the YMCA.
What draws you to being a teacher?
It’s in my horoscope aspects to be a teacher – it’s a tendency. Learn — and then teach.
Even when I did my first Communion, my mom had people over for breakfast to celebrate. I remember – I knew the whole ceremony the priest would do in church, so I turned my shirt around to make it look like a clerical collar, and I pretended to give mass to my friends.
Also, I learn a lot through my students. There’s a saying that when one teaches, two learn.
There’s a saying that when one teaches, two learn.
What does aging with attitude mean to you?
To have clarity of mind, be physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. Ha! I sound like a Boy scout.
Want to check out Morning Stretch or our other fitness programs? Click here to explore!
Want to acknowledge Cas or another trainer by making a donation to Senior Planet? Click here to give!
Pam Hugi is Senior Planet’s Community and Advocacy Manager. Based in Brooklyn, she runs Senior Planet’s Supporter program in addition to being a contributing writer for this site. She can be reached at supporters@seniorplanet.org.
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Comments
Cas keeps the seniors very motivated by inspiring them to give their best. Their is no limitations because you don’t feel that he’s treating you like old age but he’s treating like a regular crowd. And the conversation continues after workouts with words of wisdom and chatting which makes you feel like a personal friend. It can close to a thousand people on zoom and it feels like a small group in a room. I’ve been participating since Covid days and still returning. Hourrah to Cas
My, what a quality teacher and person Cas is. I have just started the morning stretch in December of 2025. He is so well prepared with many items to share. I like the format of the class, the mixture of meditation, mindfulness, gratitude and affirmations as part of the different every day motion class. At the end of EVERY class, I am guaranteed to feel better than when I started. I am grateful for his training, background and demeanor.
What style of Tai Chi do you teach?
Cas is great teacher, did not know why he was playing disco until I learned he was a little older then me, it’s funny I thought I was older them him, lol He looks very young. Cas is from my old neighborhood in Far Rockaway, sadly we never met until I started taking the classes online. Would have enjoyed being one of his students at a younger age. I enjoy his fit fusion class and have done a little Tai chi also with him. He really cares about people and leads by example, thank you cas.
Great article to spotlight a wonderful teacher! I look forward to Morning Stretch and the group of friends that gather each day to connect before and after class. Cas brings us all together to start our day and provides balance of physical and mindful fitness. thank you Cas for your dedication and for hosting daily visits with the community!