Everyone is the age of their heart. ~Guatemalan proverb

Our two themes this month, Yoga and Agelessness, are close to my heart. As I’ve aged, I’ve discovered that movement keeps me young. Whether it’s Yoga, Nia (my movement practice of choice), T’ai Chi, or another gentle program of exercise, moving one’s body has benefits far beyond toning muscles.  Our feature article on page 34, “Yoga Enters the Medical Mainstream,” lists 17 conditions—including addictions, weight management, immune disorders, heart disease, and mental health conditions—that Yoga has been proven to benefit.

As we report in a Health Brief on page 17, research published this year in the British Journal of Sports Medicine determined that just 30 minutes of exercise, six days a week, can result in a reduced risk of early death by 40 percent, regardless of the intensity of the exercise.

Having found Nia, a form of movement that suits me especially well, I feel younger than I did a decade ago. (See NiaNow.com for details of this wonderful cardio/dance, body-mind-spirit practice.)  In addition to the purely physical benefits, movement releases tension, balances emotions, and improves one’s attitude and outlook on life.

Attitude and outlook also have an effect on aging. In “Ageless Being, Staying Vibrant in Mind, Body and Spirit,” on page 24, Bruce Lipton, Ph.D., explains that our billions of stem cells, designed to repair or replace damaged and aging tissue, are profoundly influenced by our thoughts and perceptions about life. Therefore, our beliefs about aging can either enhance function or cause decline.

So, regardless of your current age or physical condition, please promise yourself to add joyful movement of some sort into your daily routine. I promise it will improve both your outlook and your health.

Ana