Aging and Yoga

"The body is designed to heal itself .. it wants to be healthy, so will rejuvenate itself. All we have to do is assist it by either not dumping toxins in it, or reducing the amount of those toxins."
-Yogini Valarie Devi

Ayurveda, the 'science of life and living', constantly emphasizes the bodies natural resiliancy. In a society that actually encourages / expects us to take drugs, hormone replacement or invasive surgery as we age, Ayurveda - a 4,000 year old practice - tells us otherwise. Yoga has long contended that our body was built to last 120 years .. naturally, vital and strong, with a slow aging process.

Yet, when we look around us, we see those who seem to age faster than others.

To help us live Yogically .. naturally .. and to support the body in its natural desire to be healthy, here are a few simply, at home things you can do.

First, drink green tea.

Instead of coffee, drink green tea. If you have trouble waking-up, it will help you do that, while helping your brain combat the onset of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of mental deneration.

The polyphenols and antioxidants in green tea increase our cognitive and learning ability. Specifically, catechin - a polyphenol found only in green tea - is four times higher than that found in regular (or black) tea.

Couple this with the latest reseach on green tea, that relates how it helps the body loose belly fat, and you add a powerful boost to your weight lose efforts.

Second, up your magnesium.

Our body needs magnesium to maintain healthy bones, but perhaps more important .. to maintain healthy cells, which help the body to produce energy and regenerate more effectively.

Many people hinder their bodies magnisium absorption by eating too much dairy and too much salt, which leach the magnesium from both the bones and cells. So instead of taking a pill, reduce the amount of processed food that you eat.

Once such way is to eat brown rice and wheat germ, which are high in magnesium; whereas processed white rice and white bread / pasta / flour, are not.

Other great and munchy sources of magnisium include: Brazil nuts and almonds, sesame and sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and cashews.

Other ways the body uses magnesium include relief from muscle cramps (its not always lack of water or vitamin B), and protection from UV rays.

Next, try cardamom.

Many of us enjoy chai .. that wonderful spicy tea found in grocery stores. The primary flavor there is cardamom, and its one of the primary ingredients in Ayurveda because it improves circulation, increases energy levels, and stimulates our mental clarity.

Cardamom is also an antidepressant for emotional disorders, so enchances our overall wellbeing. Additionally, bees that are drawn to orchids also love cardamom, which balances their pheromones, which, in humans, directly improves our sexual drive.

In fact, in many ways cardamom is a 'wonder' herb because it also eases indigestion, reduces fever, eases gastro-intestinal discomfort, and just plain tastes great in just about everything. It can be added to tea, baked into breads, and even sprinkled over oatmeal.

Finally, magnolia.

Yes .. that lovely tree with the thick green leaves and beautiful white flowers. In our stressed-out, rapid-paced, tension ridden society, magnolia is a blessing to us all. It will relieve nervious tension, induce sleep, increase mental focus, and ease irritability. Medical research has also shown it to be a powerful aid in the the fight against eating disorders.

Consider how so many of us reach for 'comfort food' when stressed-out. 'Situational foods' like chocolate, ice cream and other sweets temporarily relieve stress, but that is only a short fix for a chronic condition. One that leads to overeating and weight gain.

To break this harmful cycle, magnolia is there to help the body improve digestions, regulate the appetite, and reduce swelling and bloating.

That beautiful white flower, for example, is a powerful remedy for allergies and sinus conditions. And recent medical studies have found that magnolia contains the phytochemical honokiol, which helps the body ward off stress, control the appetite and aid in weight management.

So if you have seen magnolia capsules at the grocery store, now you know why.

Remember .. Yoga is more than just a way to get in shape and loose weight, but it is also a powerful ally for the body to maintain lifelong health and fitness.

All of us are interested in living long and productive lives, to better enjoy the wonders of the world around us ... Yoga and Ayurveda help us do just that!

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi