THE GRACE of AGE

It seems the act of aging has turned into an act of grace with a little adjustment in your mind set, so says Deepak Chopra .M.D.

¨If I know my biological potential is 130 years, then I don’t consider myself middle-aged until I’m 65…One of the great principles of mind/body medicine is that expectancies determine outcome. If you expect to remain strong in your mature years, you will¨.
Deepak Chopra M. D.

As a society and as individuals, we can expect that our notions of aging will continue to change dramatically in the years ahead. Leading pioneers in the field of mind/body medicine such as Deepak Chopra, M.D., an endocrinologist, bestselling author and internationally recognized authority on how our consciousness affects our health, urge us to consider the power that our beliefs about aging have over us. The latest research shows that how we age has more to do with our belief system and mindset about aging than any other factor.

In the last several decades, gerontologists have proved that remaining active throughout life halts the loss of muscle and skeletal tissue. The news is spreading among older people that they should continue all the activities they enjoyed in earlier years, walking, hiking, bicycling, gardening, golf, tennis, karate, swimming, lovemaking, dance and consciousness disciplines such as yoga, tai chi, and the softer marital arts. Not long ago I read about a wild, 100 year old daredevil, who’s name I do not know, defying age, common sense and the fears of his doctors and children, made his first bungee jump from a 210-foot tower…then of course there is that snap shot of the sisters…age 102 and 104, one practicing a shoulder stand, the other stretching in a yoga pose with one foot behind her head. Sounds a bit extreme?.

What happens when we change our expectations about aging? Tufts University found out when they put a group of the frailest nursing home residents, ages 87 to 96, on weight-training regimen that included Hatha yoga.

Traditionally doctors believed that this type of elderly person belonged in bed, in a rocker or wheelchair out on the porch or in front of the TV. Exercise would exhaust or kill these fragile people. Well, they thrived. Within eight weeks muscle tone improved by 300 percent, coordination and balance improved as well. Most important, these folks confidence in being active returned. Some of them who had not been able to walk unassisted could now get up and go.

HAHTA YOGA SLOWS DOWN AND REVERSES THE AGING PROCESS

What is Hatha Yoga? O.K., now pay attention, I get this question A LOT, especially with many new styles of yoga..Astanga, Inyengar, power, flow, dance kick yoga, it’s really essentially the same. Hatha means union, a physical discipline that explores the connection between the body, mind and spirit. The goal of yoga is to balance and unify the positive and negative energy flows (ji, chi, life forces) within the body. Using the flow of the breath and the internal flow of these energies, yoga helps us to realize our potential for health and self-healing.

All of the approaches to hatha yoga involve the practice of various movements and postures. In general, they consist of forward bends, backbends, twists, inversions, standing and balancing poses as well as relaxation and breathing techniques. These postures or ‘asanas’ along with conscious use of the breath remove stiffness and tension from the body, restore vitality, strength and stamina, and improve balance and coordination; they also promote the efficiency of the body processes of digestion, assimilation and detoxification. Then there is the mental-emotional side. A short meditation clears out negative emotions and helps focus the mind.

According to yogic tradition, the years after 50 are the ideal time for psychological and spiritual growth. The practice of yoga not only restores the health and vitality of the body, but the philosophy behind yoga aims to open and expand a human being on all levels so that aging can become a time of greater perspective and illumination, this is when grace appears.

I have to say I am rather fond of the yoga discipline. I have taught here in P.V. for the last 18 years and have practiced twice that, but who’s counting right? I have found that women who practice have little or no menopause symptoms, keep their weight in line, energy levels up and general have a more positive outlook on life. The men are coming around, and when the do they fall fast and hard into the yoga tract. A yoga practice helps bring about balance to a modern fast paced life by giving your mind and body a chance to come together in harmony and a moment or two of stillness. That stillness is the birthing place of inspiration and creativity.

You can find a studio close to home by checking the Vallarta Tribune “Things to do” listing. All teachers have their own take on teaching so if you try one and don’t like it, try another one.

So, with grace, turn off the T.V., get up out of that comfy chair, get rid of the canned multi-vitamin and mineral shakes by eating real food and GET GOING,…you have another 50 years to embrace.