sustaining health

The Power of Physical Activity

by ultrapeg

Here are some words to live by:

“All parts of the body, if used in moderation and exercised in labors to which each is accustomed, become thereby healthy and well developed and age slowly; but if they are unused and left idle, they become liable to disease, defective in growth and age quickly”.

(Kokkinos & Myers 2010)

Want to know who said them?  It was the famous 5th century Greek physician Hippocrates (remember the “Hippocratic Oath”?) The quote suggests that we need to keep using “all parts of the body” the way they are designed to be used if we want to maintain good health as we age.  In our sedentary modern times we can’t take this use for granted.  We need to make a concerted effort to use those muscles that have become “unused and left idle”.
Studies have consistently shown that physical activity can improve our health at any age.  And it is never too late to start or to benefit. Just a few of the common ailments that can be improved with regular exercise include:  high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.  There’s more good news.  A recent study by Dr. Bruce Barrett at the University of Wisconsin suggests that mind-body practices like yoga and Pilates can help reduce the incidence of acute respiratory infections such as flu.  The changing of the clocks often signals the beginning of the end of winter, but the flu season is late this year.  Cases are just now beginning to appear.  So it’s not too late to protect yourself.  Consistent classes can be the perfect partner for your flu shot.
But wait – there’s more!  Turns out that research conducted at the Mayo Clinic has found that deep breathing may help with hot flashes. Those of you who practice yoga know that deep breathing is an important component in our practice. Breathing with movement is also a major part of Pilates.  So classes offer an opportunity to learn some breathing techniques that might help. The number of problems addressed just keeps growing.
The strength, flexibility and balance that we work on in both yoga and Pilates help to prevent falls while keeping muscles mobile and bones aligned and strong.  The mind-body connection can also help reduce or lessen the severity of injuries if they occur. Regular practice of yoga and Pilates can also help to reduce the stress, anxiety and negative emotions that can impact our ability to resist disease.
Bottom line?  There doesn’t seem to be any down-side to coming to a class.  Every move can be adapted to your individual level of ability.  So whatever your age, capacity, or level of inactivity you can benefit.  As I frequently say, we call it practice for a reason.  The goal is not perfection (whatever that means) it is simply to find a level of practice that works for you and that you can maintain on a consistent basis. Then you can experience the full array of benefits that continue to be documented through ongoing research.

Take Advantage of This Moment

by ultrapeg

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There are several people in my life right now who are suffering from serious illnesses.  These conditions seemed to arrive out of nowhere.  In particular, I am thinking of two people who considered themselves healthy and active prior to the sudden onset of illness.  This has caused me to again spend some time reflecting on the fragility of human beings, the impermanence of all things and the sacred nature of time.  Time is a precious commodity.  We don’t understand it, but one thing that is certain is that it only moves in one direction:  forward.  Relentless forward motion.  We can’t stop it and we can’t back it up.  Yet still we waste so much of it dwelling in the past or worrying about the future.  

So it becomes especially important to celebrate each moment.  No matter how much you think you lack or wish things were different from what they are, chances are if you really pay attention to the moment you are in right now – THIS moment – there is almost certainly at least one thing for which you can be grateful.  Consider these questions:  Do you have enough to eat today?  (Maybe too much, but that’s another story!) Do you have a place to sleep tonight that is protected from the weather?  Are you breathing?  Maybe your breathing is labored or difficult, but if you’re on the planet and conscious, chances are you’re breathing.  That’s a miracle right there. Take a moment to just follow your next breath.  Think of how it contributes to your body’s well-being, even if it hurts.  It costs nothing to pay attention to your breath and it will bring you back to the present.  

Reflecting on what’s right in this moment (as opposed to what you think is “wrong”) can help you to focus on the positive aspects of your life. That may be difficult at times, so it helps to develop a practice to bring yourself back to those positives as soon as you recognize that you’ve slipped into negative thinking – that is, lamenting what’s passed or fearing what’s ahead.  Recently I heard a suggestion for an anxiety-relieving practice:  if you’re feeling anxious or fearful try looking around you and making a list of everything you see.  It might help bring you back to the present moment or at least provide a distraction.  If you read this blog you know, I’m a strong advocate of practice of any type. That’s because it works.  The more you practice – anything – the more it becomes part of your life. Pretty soon it is so natural that you can’t imagine being without that practice and you miss it if something keeps you from it.  

Since time is so valuable we all want to maximize that value.  If you have ever been sick you know the value of good health. There are no guarantees, but there are things you can do to feel better and try to maintain good health.  These are not strange new techniques. We all know what to do. Eat healthy food, get enough sleep and keep your body moving to the best of its ability. Even these simple concepts vary from person to person.  There is no “one size fits all”.  We each have to find our own way.  But that means finding a place to start and following through. Even if you stumble, starting is the hardest part.  Once you do that, it’s easy to get up and try again or try something else.

Yoga and Pilates both help us to connect mind and body so that we can begin to understand what each of our bodies requires. Those requirements will change with time, but the more tuned in you are the more you will recognize when change is needed. If these disciplines don’t work for you, find something that does. There are a myriad of ways to support your body and all its complex systems.  Treating your body will also treat your mind. Whatever you choose, adopt it as a practice.  Set a regular schedule that you can stick to. Start as slow as you need to so that you know you can do it.  If you find you can’t stick to it, adjust the schedule.  Make it work for you.  Now is the time to take control of what you can control while you can control it. Take advantage of this moment. It’s the only you have.