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Move
It or Lose It!
By
Larry L. Langley,
LLangley Y-outhful O-utlook G-reatful A-ttitude (TM)
“Resolve to move everything you are
able to move with regular persistence.”
Over
the years I have noticed that people who are able to move without
pain are generally happy and vibrant, while those that have a hard
time moving, or experience pain when they move are generally unhappy
and listless. Hippocrates noticed this and gave us this basic truth
that has endured for centuries:
“That
which is used develops and that which is not used wastes away.”
Yoga
has withstood the test of time – it has been around for thousands
of years and has been practiced by millions of people over the years.
It is a multifaceted jewel holding within it the brilliance of awareness,
the beauty of balance and the energy of vitality. Yoga is not a
religion. It is a nonsectarian method for promoting a healthy and
harmonious lifestyle. Any person of any faith can practice yoga
and find his or her religion enhanced as a result.
[1]
“Yoga
is a word that many people have heard of but do not understand.
The word “yoga” is derived from the ancient language of Sanskrit,
and it means literally union. Yoga is a practice, which
strives to unite the body, mind and breath creating greater balance
and harmony among all of the body systems. A profound sense of
strength, flexibility and overall wellness may be gained from a
regular yoga practice.”
[2]
Benefits of Yoga for People over 50:
v
the body remains open and flexible
– slows down and reverses the aging process
¨
prevents and corrects the most visible sign of aging -- rounding
of the spine [3]
¨
superior form of weight bearing exercise for preventing osteoporosis
[4]
¨
keeps the joints young
¨
counteracts the effects of gravity
¨
improves posture
¨
relieves stress
¨
revitalizes the feet adding stability to our “foundation”
¨
relieves swollen legs, ankles and varicose veins
v
improves balance
helping to prevent falls
v
helps prevent height
loss
v
can expand range
of motion in persons with arthritis
v
can help women experience
menopause as a positive event.
¨
relieve hot flashes, night sweats
¨
ease mood swings and depression
¨
balance hormonal changes
¨
alleviates fatigue
v
increases awareness
and sensitivity awakening a new sense of aliveness
The following comments about aging and yoga are those of
94 year-old Indra Devi, one of the most renowned and beloved yoga
teachers of this century. She studied with T. Krishnamacharya,
a highly regarded yogi who also taught B.K.S. Iyengar, generally
considered to be the teacher who has had the most influence bringing
yoga to the west.
“People
don’t have to wait to do yoga until they are aging. But what can
you do? Usually that’s how people are. Not until something happens
to their body—then they start thinking about it. People allow their
body to become old, stiff, fat or whatever by doing everything wrong.
From exercising, to eating, to thinking.
If you think yourself old, you will become old. Youth comes
from inside. Of course, for people over 80 who are already aging,
yoga can do a lot of things for reversing the aging process. They
can start with yoga exercises that everybody can do. But just doing
only the physical part of yoga is not enough. You have to do things
that affect your mind. You must make the mind like an arrow when
you want something, and not be distracted.
Whatever is in the physical world can be translated into
the spiritual world. In the physical world if you want to be a
musician, like a pianist, what do you have to do? Hours and hours
of practicing. The same thing in the spiritual world. You want
to achieve something; you have to work, but a different kind of
work. The practice of yoga is invaluable. Yoga affects all of
our faculties, physical, mental and spiritual.
. . . I practice yoga every day. Some people say, “Oh, I
don’t feel the need.” What do they mean? You breathe everyday,
you eat everyday. That’s why you should continue to practice yoga
exercises. You might not feel the need today, but three years later
you will feel the need! You should not practice yoga only when
you are in pain or discomfort, then give it up because the pain
is gone.” [5]
Most
of us think we don’t have enough time to exercise. What a distorted
paradigm! We don’t have time not to. We’re talking about taking
three to six hours a week or a minimum of 30 minutes a day, every
other day. That hardly seems like an inordinate amount of time
considering the tremendous benefits in terms of the impact on the
other 162-165 hours of the week. –Steven R. Covey, The 7 Habits
of Highly Effective People
Yoga
is a gift for older people. One who studies yoga in the later years
gains not only health and happiness, but also freshness of mind
since yoga gives one a bright outlook on life. One can look forward
to a satisfying, more healthful future rather than looking back
into the past. With yoga, a new life begins, even if started later;
Yoga is a rebirth, which teaches one to face the rest of one’s life
happily, peacefully and courageously. ---Geeta S. Iyengar, Yoga,
A Gem for Women
[1] Francina, Suza, The New Yoga for People Over 50; A Comprehensive
Guide for Midlife and Older Beginners, Health Communications,
Inc., Deerfield Beach, Florida, page 13
[2] Mackenzie, Jeani Yoga – “An Ancient Practice for Modern
Times”, The Davenport School of Yoga information brochure, 1996,
page 2.
[5] Francina, Suza, The New Yoga for People Over 50; A Comprehensive
Guide for Midlife and Older Beginners, Health Communications,
Inc., Deerfield Beach, Florida, pages 239-240
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