We hear the term “Anti Aging” all the time. Marketing tactics have gone wild in using that term to capture the attention of boomers. We are all looking for the secret to prevent aging.
I am here to tell you the secrets. Spoiler alert : There is no magic pill to take, we are all going to age.
The difference is HOW we age. Will you age well?
Mindful practices like pilates and yoga have been shown to be beneficial in the way we age. Practicing being mindful while performing certain exercises stimulates brain function.
Take deep breathing for instance. In yoga the ujjayi breath has been scientifically proven to calm the nervous system and promote a sense of peace internally. The pilates breath has us breathing into the upper thoracic area allowing more expansion in that area as well as breathing deeply into the lungs. More breathe in the lungs, more energy, more life.
Becoming actively aware of breath during movement also brings mental clarity around body awareness.
When we practice these types of formats, we are also practicing mindful and precise movement patterns to target specific muscle groups.
When practicing pilates we are essentially using either body weight or springs to facilitate building strength in the body. Yoga relies solely on body weight. In these mindful practices we gain strength and continue to build muscle, which will have a positive effect on our bone density levels. Both practices also help with flexibility.
When we age we tend to lose muscle and without proper stretching techniques, muscles will become tight. When we practice pilates or yoga we begin to stretch and strengthen our muscles and bones. We increase our flexibility so our ROM (range of motion) is improved, there less risk of injury.
Mindful practices are generally improve overall health and well being, especially for women who are transitioning through menopause. Meditation is another form of a mindful practice. We are all looking for ways to escape the stresses of our lives.
When we practice these types of mindful movement patterns, we start to train the brain to really listen to our internal dialogue. We learn to get out of our heads and into our bodies.
Aging well starts with the mind. The body will follow. What we say internally about our bodies is the outcome we experience.
Please let me know if you have any questions about how to age well, leave me a comment below and share this post with your friends and family.
Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter.