An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Healthy aging is the continual process of making smart lifestyle choices to create, support, and maintain balance in 4 areas vital to overall well-being: Physical Movement, Community, Consumption and Rest.
Because of their individual impact on health and their interdependence for achieving a balanced well-being, these areas are known as, The 4 Pillars of Healthy Aging:
The 4 Pillars of Healthy Aging
Of all the choices an individual can make to positively impact their health, physical movement is king. Because of its array of benefits like boosting immune system function, reducing risk of heart disease, and maintaining mobility, movement is medicine for the body (and mind!).
At LULOA Yoga, I view yoga, not as the end-all-be-all for physical movement and exercise, but rather as the oil that keeps the parts moving. The practice is adaptable to any body type, age, or ability and it’s never too soon or too late to start a consistent practice.
Physical Movement
We were created for relationship, for community. Even the most cantankerous of folks have an innate desire to know they are cared for and to be part of something bigger than themselves.
In fact, studies show social engagement positively impacts our emotional and mental state helping ward off depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline.
At LULOA Yoga I aim to create and foster a community that positively impacts your well-being whether in online classes or in-person gatherings throughout the year.
Community
As individuals, we are consumers of so much more than just the food or drink we put into our mouths. Everything the senses take in - the music we listen to, the television we watch, the relationships we maintain, the conversations we engage in, etc. - is a form of consumption and, just like the food we eat, impacts our health in some capacity, whether directly or indirectly.
Mindfulness developed through a consistent yoga practice helps create the type of awareness needed to ensure the appropriate type of sustenance is being consumed.
Consumption
In today’s modern world, terms like burnout and chronic fatigue are all too familiar, indicating rest - the real-deal-Holyfield kind of rest - is needed.
Contrary to popular belief, rest encompasses more than just getting enough sleep. Through practices like meditation, pranayama, restorative yoga, sensory reduction (unplugging from technology), and so on, the body, mind, and spirit are provided the time needed to sufficiently recharge, renew, and restore their system.
At LULOA Yoga, I offer a variety of classes and resources to help you identify ways to cultivate the type of rest you need.
Rest
The 4 Pillars of Healthy Aging are directly impacted by lifestyle choices.
Whether considering the type and frequency of physical movement or the kind of relationships we maintain, our unique lifestyle choices have the greatest impact on our health making them more influential than any prescription or therapy.
This knowledge doesn’t undermine or eliminate the need for the expertise of doctors and traditional medicine. Rather, it empowers the individual to take ownership and positively impact their health and well-being like never before.
Check out the Research section for more information.
