HONOLULU (Island News) — Ron Kurowski, a former Broadway dancer residing in Waimanalo, attributes his vibrant aging to a combination of physical activity and spiritual practice. At 71, Kurowski reflects on a life spent in motion, from his early days as a competitive swimmer to his successful theater career.
Born in Philadelphia, Kurowski learned to swim at the Valley Forge Swim Club and joined a swim team by age six. By age 10, he was swimming year-round, a pursuit he continued until he turned down a college scholarship at 18 to pursue a newfound passion for performing in musical comedy.
“I loved being funny. I was gawky but lean and coordinated from swimming,” Kurowski recalled. His journey into theater began in high school and continued at Temple College, where he majored in theater. His talent was recognized, leading to an audition for a summer-stock company in Ohio, where he performed in nine shows alongside notable figures such as Gene Kelly and Mickey Rooney.
While still in college, Kurowski was cast in the Broadway musical Seesaw, followed by a 14-year run as Bobby in A Chorus Line, including a memorable tour stop in Hawaii in 1979. “Upon arriving, I really felt at home,” he said.
In the 1990s, Kurowski transitioned from dance to a career in construction, where he renovated apartments and later became the general manager of Closets by Design in New Jersey. However, after the death of his first wife, Sachi Shimizu, from lung cancer in 2010, his life took a significant turn.
Inspired by Sachi’s acceptance of her illness and her exploration of yoga, Kurowski quit his job to pursue yoga training. He met many of Sachi’s friends through this new journey and eventually became certified to teach yoga at a studio owned by Marty, who later became his life partner.
Now living in Hawaii, Kurowski remains active, swimming daily in the ocean, gardening, creating art from sea glass, painting, solving jigsaw puzzles, and practicing yoga.
“Yoga is freeing for me because you let go of everything and just bring your focus to being in the present moment and feeling your body,” he reflected. For Kurowski, the combination of movement and mindfulness is key to aging well.
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