LONGEVITY: THE ART OF AGING GRACEFULLY
What is ‘longevity’?
There is a term people are throwing around these days, ‘longevity’. Longevity, according to the dictionaries, means: long duration of life or long existence or service. I would rather use the term ‘aging gracefully’, which to me indicates how we live longer. Do I enjoy my long life - am I content? do I feel safe? do I function independently? am I energetic, mobile, strong?
At 73, almost 74, this is something I think about a lot and am so grateful that my yoga practice offers me a pathway to greater longevity and aging with grace.
Here is my view of how yoga contributes to longevity or aging gracefully.
I feel flexible,
My balance is good, and
I feel strong.
These 3 contribute to my agility — my ability to move through a longer life with ease.
Why is agility important - it comes in very handy should I stumble, it helps me manage challenging tasks (like crawling under the bathroom vanity to retrieve an errant lid), it adds to my reaction time in certain situations like driving, etc., etc. Additionally, it:
Improves flexibility, balance, and control.
Helps the body to maintain proper alignment and posture during movement.
Encourages the body to learn how to maintain correct body placement.
Increases balance, control and flexibility, allowing the body to maintain proper posture and alignment during movement.
Enhances physical conditions such as coordination, strength, balance, reflexes and speed.
For me, one of the most challenging moments in this process of aging is looking at my hands and arms that are now wrinkled. And, fortunately (or unfortunately), I have them and they are especially apparent in certain yoga poses. I guess you could say I am fortunate to see wrinkles, unfortunately I see wrinkles. (BTW, these aren’t my arms pictured - someone else’s without said wrinkles.)
Kind of a conundrum, isn’t it? As in practice yoga, feel great (but maybe see some wrinkles I could have otherwise ignored); don’t practice, what might happen?
Lots to think about.
p.s. If you have time, check out my new ‘Resources’ page on this website (created by me!!!). It contains several items that may be of interest and it is my intent to add to it as relevant topics appear.
