Anti ageing benefits of yoga
No matter what, we are all going to age. Its how we age both mentally and physically that will affect our quality of life.
According to yoga philosophy it is the flexibility of the spine that determines the age. You only have to look at yoga gurus both past and present, to see that a regular yoga practice has a huge effect on the ageing process.
The body is supple and mobile and the brain remains active, well into old age. Many yoga teachers look more youthful than their birth age and remain “young at heart living active lives well into there 90s.
The current trend for a quick fix under the surgeons scalpel is just that “a quick fix” to make one look youthful on the outside whilst the rest of the body is degenerating in the usual way.
Yoga and a yogic lifestyle allows the body to slow down the ageing process.
How?
Stress is a major factor in Ageing. By learning to use your breath (pranayama) to help control stressful situations, you are able to breathe more deeply and remain calm.
BKS Iyengar puts this beautifully:-
“Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured”
A yoga practice is about finding a different way to deal with stress through Postures (Asana), breathing techniques (pranayama), relaxation and meditation.
A good diet will often follow a regular yoga routine. Once a student develops more control through the yoga practice healthier choices seem to come naturally.
Yoga can be taken up at any age, and takes many forms.
Even after many years of a sedentary lifestyle you can begin and enjoy yoga.
The deep breathing ( pranayama) fills every cell in the body with fresh oxygenated blood. Inversions where the head is lower than the heart has a relaxing effect on the heart and lungs, again bringing fresh blood to the upper body, and massaging the thyroid and parathyroid glands, soothing the nervous system.
Twists and forward bends are very detoxifying for the body.
Internal organs such as the liver, spleen and pancreas are toned and massaged. A sluggish digestive system (constipation) will hang onto waste matter. Many yoga poses encourage elimination therefore freeing up the bowel and keeping it healthy and free from disease.
The skin and the eyes look more radiant, the body moves more freely, the mind, is active, but not on alert, all this without stepping inside a doctors practice.
By Cherie Lathey
International yoga teacher. Tel:07939589083
www.yogamama.co.uk www.yogamamalondon.blogspot.com
December 29th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
I started taking Yoga lessons last month and i am amazed of how it can take away the stress of my mind and body.
*****
January 5th, 2010 at 11:14 am
Many yoga classes are out there, and you may be turned off if you pick one that does not suit your personality and state of physical fitness. For most beginners, a hatha or vinyasa class will be most appropriate, depending on whether you want a slow or fast-paced class. These are basic styles, and you can always try something fancier later.
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