Submitted by Sharon Caren on Fri, 10/05/2012 - 19:23
Aging doesn’t mean getting old. It means getting better! We mature like a fine wine. We gain wisdom that brings much joy to our lives, our family, our friends, and to the world. I’d never want to go back to my younger years with all the drama and disharmony around me. Our soul is everlasting and doesn’t age, only our physical body does. If we think young, our body will reflect it. So how do we maximize our years of knowledge and wisdom and live with vitality? Let’s explore some possibilities.
Anti-Aging
The term ageing is somewhat ambiguous. Chronological age does not correlate perfectly with functional age. For example, two people may be of the same age, but differ in mental and physical capacities.
Life Extension Science, also known as anti-aging medicine, experimental gerontology, and biomedical gerontology, is the study of slowing down or reversing the processes of aging to extend both the maximum and average lifespan. Some researchers believe that future breakthroughs in tissue rejuvenation with stem cells, molecular repair, and organ replacement will eventually enable humans to have indefinite lifespans through complete rejuvenation to a healthy youthful condition.
The sale of anti-aging products such as nutrition, physical fitness, skin care, hormone replacements, vitamins, supplements and herbs is a lucrative global industry, with the US market generating about $50 billion of revenue each year. Some medical experts state the use of these products has no effect on the aging process. If this is the case, why are so many Anti-Aging clinics popping up all over the world?
Here is one right in your neighborhood – SFPMG, San Francisco Specialists in Natural Medicine -380 West Portal Avenue, Suite C, San Francisco, CA 94127 Tel: (415) 566-1000. Dr. Joel Lopez, MD, CNS specializes in Anti-Aging, Longevity and Nutritional Medicine. I know him personally and urge you to call on him if you’d like to know more.
My husband found pictures of Raquel Welch, age 72 and Adam West (Batman), age 84, amazingly well preserved. If you want to be inspired, look them up on the Internet. This is proof that age is only a number. Maybe in their cases, very expensive, too?
I don’t need to look like a movie star. However, being healthy and strong is my goal. Looking good is a by-product. I don’t mind spending $$$ investing in my health. What better investment can I make for a better quality of life?
If you’ve been reading my health column over the past 3 years, you know I’ve written about many of the above natural means of self-care that I live by and use each day. All I know is, I feel better at age 63 than I did at 43! When I feel better, I am better. So I say, try good nutrition, physical fitness, vitamins, and supplements to see if you feel better. You be the judge and these products may even add years to your life.
The Underrated Importance of Posture
Watching the movie stars, super models, entertainers, and beautiful people, you’ll find they all have one thing in common….Great Posture. They embody an air of grace and ease. It’s an unspoken confidence that lures the public to watch and admire their every move, pay to see them in person and on screen making them famous. It’s a body language that says, “I’ve got something you want.” We can all have it when we know the secret!
The working definition of good posture is when one’s body weight is evenly balanced on its naturally intended weight-supporting surfaces. Great Posture is when the body is flexible, strong and responsive enough to maintain good posture naturally and effortlessly.
As children we grew up hearing the old cliché, sit up straight and have good posture. The problem was no one really showed us how to properly employ “Good Posture” nor did they explain how much pain we’d be in later in life if we didn’t. As our physical bodies age, we no longer heal and repair as we did when we were children. Our bodies have more wear and tear and more aches and pains as we start feeling the effects of bad posture. The worst part is unless someone points it out, we may not even realize bad posture could be the reason for much of our chronic pain issues.
The human body sustains 14.7 pounds of pressure, per square inch of surface area taking a beating every day. The body works more effectively and efficiently when it’s flexible allowing for good posture. When the body is in the correct position with joints safely handling all the pressure gravity is putting on it, the result is effortless movement. If this had been explained to us with proper visuals as kids, we’d all be in much better physical shape today.
Can we change the imbalances we’ve been wearing for years? Absolutely and flexibility is key. My personal experience after breaking my neck in a car accident in 1977 proves it. I was in a body cast for 3 months and thank goodness my neck healed naturally. About 15 years later, however, I developed carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, neck and upper back pain. I also had a neck forward position (bad posture) and much tension and tightness in those neck and arm muscles. I was searching for some relief because I was much too young and healthy to feel so bad.
In 1996 at a health fair, I met a posture researcher and the developer of Reposturing Bodywork, Aaron Parnell. He served on the first Sports Massage Team for the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Boy, was I lucky. He gave me a free 5-minute upper body treatment that changed my health, my life and my career. I’m now a Posturist and Licensed to teach.
Over the past 15 years, I’ve worked with folks who have experienced relief from frozen shoulder, neck immobility, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, and TMJ, just to mention a few. All of these challenges are postural. When the torso is balanced even wrinkles are minimized. Using Facial Reposturing, a cutting edge anti-aging technique, I stretch the muscles of the neck, face, head, and jaw. It’s like having a non-surgical face-lift without the invasive, painful treatment and at a fraction of the cost.
Reposturing = Unique Stretches & Breath & Massage & Specific Exercises
Specific Exercises to attain great posture at home
Reposturing Yoga is a simple and safe system of flexibility exercises. It merges the traditions of Hatha Yoga with leading edge research and development of exercise, science and Kinesiology. Using the internal power of the breath creates an easy and effective way to stretch. We have books and DVD’s to walk you through the process. I have clients who stopped coming for treatments when they adopted this program because they feel so good. Call me at 650.359.6579 if you’d like to know more or visit:
www.sharonthehealth.com
I love to miss my clients. As a teacher, I empower others to take responsibility for their own health self-care. It’s wonderful to wake up each morning feeling good. This is my wish for you.
You are invited to a very special event on Wednesday, Oct. 17th from 6:45 to 8:30 PM. Come meet Mr. Aaron Parnell, the developer of Resposturing Bodywork in person. Don’t miss his first speaking engagement in Pacifica for:
Sharon The Health Presents –
Fit, Flexible and Fabulous at Any Age
Florey’s Book Company
2120 Palmetto Ave.
Pacifica, CA 94044
RSVP ASAP as space is limited! Call Sharon 650.359.6579
Or email Sharon@sharonthehealth.com
"The views expressed are those of the writer. If you have any questions about your health, you should always consult with your doctor.”