Moving On... (September 2021 Newsletter)
Image by Ronny Overhate from Pixabay
Have you noticed how every show on every news, documentary, and social media is trying to sell you stuff? It’s always a new, better, smarter, prettier version of merchandise you may already own. One category of items is designed to keep you looking better, appearing healthier, always chasing the dream of being ‘picture perfect’. Even the medical procedures and surgeries are designed to keep up the appearance of youth and vitality.
While we continue to buy the latest, life is slipping away and soon we are thinking about retirement and bucket-lists between visits to health providers to keep us going.
Aging is a natural process; it is not a disease. It is in fact true for all manifest, living things: birth, life and death will follow in that order.
In Ayurveda, old age is referred to as Jara (pr. jaraa, personified as the daughter of death).
Chronological aging is biological. Since it is time-based there is no going back. Cells, tissues, organs, and body systems begin to wear out. However, there is the magic of Dhari, that which prevents the body from decay. Jivita is what one does to help keep one alive and functioning. Think YOGA! It's multifaceted effects extend through the body; elevating, calming and clearing the mind till one can conquer it, so that death is not to be feared.
A daily practice of yoga, meditation and introspection helps to delay the aging process. Yoga enhances muscular strength and body flexibility, improves respiratory and cardiovascular function, promotes recovery from addiction, reduces stress, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, improves sleep patterns, and enhances overall well-being and quality of life. Pranayama (breathing techniques) oxygenate the blood, reducing inflammation and joint pain. Yoga helps in elimination of waste and toxins regularly, smoothly and completely. Body, mind and emotions maintain their balance in homeostasis. Continue with a regular practice for a longer, more active, healthier life, however long that is...
Practically this means
that you keep up the practice of yoga at least 3 times each week doing different styles of classes for a balanced outcome
that you watch what you eat, when you eat, and how much you eat. Check your body type or Dosha. Eating less rather than more will keep you trim and healthy. Ideally, a fistful of food is all we really need. Be sure to add some fresh cooked or raw greens like spinach, kale, collard greens etc. to your daily diet. Reduce the consumption of meat. Eat seasonal and fresh produce
Drink plenty of fresh, room-temperature water daily
Get a good night’s sleep with about 7+ hours of sleep. Go to bed early and wake up early.
Keep up the random acts of kindness. Sadvritta or moral reasoning, good conduct, and compassionate living transform us into the spiritual beings we truly are
Spend time outside daily, and enjoy the moment. Put away the devices. Instead look, listen and feel. Be at peace!
In my articles I often refer to Ayurveda and it's amazing science. While I have limited working knowledge of Ayurveda, we are fortunate to have on our staff Vandana Baranwal, Indian Ayurveda physician, who is always willing and eager to spread this information. Growing up in the holy city of Banaras, India she has been very fortunate to learn from some of the world's most renowned teachers. Before moving to the USA, she was Professor of Ayurvedic Obstetrics and Gynecology in Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, India. Ask us about taking a class with her.
Namaste,
sipra