Aging Well qua East and West: Walking meets Downward Facing Dog

In our current world of prescriptions (Rx) and over-the-counter (OTC) remedies for all the ails us both mentally and physically, it is refreshing and even comforting to know that there are still practices in which the classical-traditional-antiquated-conventional human BODY may benefit from what it was meant to do – quite naturally.

Perhaps you were thinking – ah, you must mean – sexual activity. Okay, good point. But other than that – although it is perhaps highly correlative that the topics I have in “mind” and could be nevertheless connected to sexuality (think blood flow to the brain and other parts)

And now that I have your attention….
Did you know that September is National Yoga Month ? This September will mark the first official National Yoga Month designated by the Department of Health & Human Services. National Yoga Month was developed to raise awareness of yoga’s health benefits and provide people with guidance and tools to improve their well-being. Organizers are calling on the yoga community, particularly yoga teachers and studios, to help through hosting events and offering free classes and donation classes that help support the cause. See www.yogamonth.org for more information.

That’s very nice – and so? And this has to with aging – in what way?

Glad you asked. Along my own journey of life and into the aging experience, I have reflected upon – and then tried (experientially) various forms of physical activities to stay healthy (not to stay young) such that I could follow the common wisdom of a cultivating a sound mind and body. I have always loved being in involved in sports – and I find the competition (either in team sport or against the standing records on paper) to be highly motivating and it brings out the best in my potential and capabilities. Baseball, basketball, swimming, football, track and field, soccer, tennis, marksmanship (rifle-pistol), martial arts (judo)…but into my fifties (make that a over half-century old) I am not as motivated to run full-court basketball or run the 100 meter at all-out speed or even try to throw a fastball (like the heaters I used to throw – what happened to the “gun” in my right arm?) or place a nice group of .40 S&W in the bull’s eye – but while wearing multi-layered glasses.    

The body is still wanting to be active and engaged and moving – and yet there has been a shift toward other – newer forms of physical activity without necessarily giving up the ones I associate with the “first half of life.”

So, here is where I introduce some research and some personal observations for you to consider…it is all simply recommendation and not prescription.

A recent research article (just recently published) in The Journal of Psychology, 2009, 143(4), 390–404 indicated some interesting findings in the domain of the aging experience.

Psychosocial Correlates and Outcomes of Yoga or Walking Among Older Adults

JENNIFER M. KRAEMER University of Massachusetts, Amherst

DAVID X. MARQUEZ University of Illinois at Chicago

One has to be careful with interpreting any research that simply reports correlations (this is not cause and effect) but the results from the study point to some good news about how the classical-traditional-antiquated-conventional human BODY (in contrast to any post-human body perhaps) and MIND may benefit from WALKING + YOGA.

Kraemer and Marquez (2009) do a great job of setting up the rationale for why we all need to pay closer attention to these issues, as they note that,

 “Adults who are older than 65 years of age comprise the fastest growing populations in the United States (National Institute of Aging, 2002). Also, this population suffers from the greatest ratio of chronic diseases and disability (Berg & Casells, 1990; Hoffman & Rice, 1996). Impairments in function can begin as early as the age of 50 years (Huang et al., 1998). It has further been reported that almost 20% of the U.S. population of adults who are 55 years of age or older experience specific mental disorders (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1999). Physical activity has been shown to improve mental and cardiovascular health (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1996). Despite these findings, it has been reported that more than 70% of U.S. adults who are 45 years of age or older do not engage in the recommended amount of physical activity (Centers for Disease Control, 2005).”

This is not a good sign of things to come in an aging society. But it also does not mean that everyone should leap out of their recliner chair and sign up for next month’s marathon.

So what does the body and mind need? Let us talk a walk and figure that out – and keep walking.

And may I suggest that flexibility and balance and coordination of mind/body is also important.

Okay, what do you have in “mind”?

Kraemer and Marquez (2009) noted that,

 “Yoga has been shown to improve musculoskeletal flexibility, balance, strength, memory, endurance (Mahajan & Babbar, 2003), and quality of life (Malathi, Damodaran, Shah, Patil, & Maratha, 2000). Physical positions of yoga called asanas provide a low-intensity exercise that improves muscle strength, flexibility, and body alignment (Parshad, 2004). Many studies on mind–body interventions, including yoga practices, have shown their effectiveness in treating stress-related mental and physical disorders (Becker, 2000; Jacobs, 2001). Yoga participants have reported significant short-term reductions in anxiety, tension, depression, anger, and confusion (Berger & Owen, 1992).”

They summarize their research report in this fashion,

“As older adults continue to suffer from psychological and physiological ailments, new ways to healthily improve their overall quality of life are necessary. Although there is still much to be learned about the psychosocial effects of yoga, it is clear that there are benefits associated with this form of physical activity. Future research should continue to bring a greater understanding and awareness of this ancient form of physical activity to the Western world.”

I concur – so as you consider your health and well-being into the second half of life, you may keep running the marathons and try to throw the 60 yard “bomb” down the field or take on the young toughs with some street hoops – or you could blend in with what the body wants and needs with walking to the nearest yoga class as you contemplate that it is TIME to do so – so that in time – you are aging on your own time.

Namaste ~ Scott D. Wright