Rather, choose an aesthetically pleasing
walking path around the neighborhood
or opt for an indoor track or, in inclem-
ent weather, the local mall.
Exercise
n Mens sana in corpore sano. A
and longevity
healthy mind in a healthy body is the
goal. According to the Gerontological by linda sechrist
Society of America, consistent exer-
cise at midlife may reduce the odds
of dementia in older adulthood. Make
exercise time a daily habit in your own W
hile websites, magazines,
newspapers and talk shows
have diligently been creating
and your family’s schedule. national awareness about the relationship
Movement isn’t a luxury. The between exercise and good health, scien-
human body requires daily, hourly tists have been performing research that proves exercise can increase the human
movement to optimize longevity, as lifespan by as much as nine years, effectively turning back the clock on our DNA.
well as youthful strength and flexibility. In a study, Association Between Physical Activity in Leisure Time and Leukocyte
It doesn’t cost much to take a walk or Telomere Length, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in January 2008,
to stretch your arms, legs and spine researchers compared the length of leukocyte telomeres, the protective ends of
throughout the day, and the dividends chromosomes, with the exercise habits of more than 1,200 pairs of identical twins.
are magnificent. Start by incorporating The telomeres of the physically active volunteers were longer, suggesting that physi-
one “prescribed” anti-aging activity at cal inactivity is an important risk factor for aging-related woes such as high blood
a time, until you have a rich and well pressure, mental difficulties and cancer. The study also determined that at least three
developed habit of taking your “move- hours of weekly exercise could make our DNA younger and healthier.
ment vitamins.” It is absolutely pos- Tyler Lavigne, owner of Balanced Fitness &
sible to feel more energetic and vital Yoga, is a freelance yoga instructor who has been
now than you did 10 years ago, if you teaching Hatha and Vinyasa yoga for the past three
choose well. years at several studios and fitness centers in the
San Diego area. Lavigne took up yoga in college
Katy Bowman, a biomechanics scientist,
to ease discomfort in his lower back and pain in
has a master’s degree in kinesiology and
his left shoulder and knee. “Although a lifetime of
is director of the Restorative Exercise
physical activities had led to the pain in my joints
Institute in Ventura, CA. She has created
and muscles, it only took three weeks of yoga ex-
the Aligned and Well™ DVD series to
ercises to get rid of it and get me hooked on yoga,”
educate people about how their bodies
says Lavigne. He considers himself a living testi-
work, so they can make informed deci-
monial to the role that exercise can play in reversing the effects of wear and tear
sions. Learn more at KatySays.com and
on the joints, which can lead to arthritic conditions such as bone spurs and disc
RestorativeExercise.com.
degeneration. “Often, pain and restricted movement can be alleviated through
muscle-strengthening yoga exercises, which move energy through the body in a
balanced way,” Lavigne advises.
Yoga’s controlled postures encourage the muscles to squeeze bones and open
up stiff, stagnant joints so that vital energy and blood can move into them. Blood
flows faster, increasing circulation and lubricating joints and muscles. According
to Lavigne, most joints dry out from lack of use, rather than aging, which is why
he adamantly encourages his students to do four 15-minute or two 30-minute
yoga routines each day. “Few people understand the significant difference that a
simple 15-minute sequence of yoga postures in a small office cubicle can make,”
says Lavigne. Although seated spinal twists, shoulder rolls, neck stretches to the
front, left and right, forward bends, overhead stretches, and breathing exercises all
benefit the body, Lavigne says the best sequence of postures is the sun salutation,
whose full range of motion stretches and strengthens every major muscle group.
“Movement is an anti-aging elixir and an excellent means of de-stressing and
Pay attention to your body.
relaxing the body and mind,” Lavigne emphasizes. Avoiding the path of physical
The point is
inactivity, according to this experienced yogi and the latest research, may be as
everybody is different. simple as choosing to move our bodies—wisely, well and often.
You have to figure out what
works for you.
Contact Tyler Lavigne at 619-957-8173 or LavigneTyler@yahoo.com.
~ Andrew Weil
Visit Web.me.com/TylerLavigne.
natural awakenings January 2010 39
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