The secret to a long life may be hidden in yoga, according to Daisy Taylor, a centenarian from Chelmsford, England. During an interview on her 105th birthday, Taylor attributed her longevity and health to yoga, along with her optimism and ability to appreciate the little things in life. She stressed that yoga has helped her keep her mind clear as she ages, and she continues to practice it regularly, although she now prefers to do it on a chair rather than a mat.
Taylor isn’t the only senior to benefit from the positive effects of yoga. Numerous famous practitioners, such as BKS Iyengar, Tirumalai Krishnamacharya and Krishna Pattabhi Jois, have lived long and healthy lives thanks to the constant practice of this age-old discipline. Iyengar, for example, overcame serious illnesses and lived to be 95, while Krishnamacharya reached 100 and Jois to 93.
Yoga offers numerous benefits even in old age, such as reduction in blood pressureof the blood fat levels and of theobesityas well as contributing to mental well-being by reducing the stressl’anxiety and the depression. Scientific studies have shown that yoga can positively influence aging at the cellular level by increasing the activity of the telomerationa key enzyme for slowing cellular aging.
Additionally, regular yoga practice can help keep your mind fit as you age. Studies have shown that yoga practitioners have greater brain mass, particularly in the hippocampus, a region crucial to the formation of memories. Meditation, an integral part of yoga, has been associated with a younger brain age and better fluid intelligence, the ability to solve new problems and learn new information.
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Although there is no direct evidence that yoga prolongs life, the benefits for physical and mental health are indisputable. Daisy Taylor, with her long-lived family, is an example of how yoga can help maintain optimal health and a clear mind even in old age. Holger CramerResearch Professor in Complementary Medicine at theUniversity of Tübingenshared these reflections on The Conversationhighlighting the importance of practicing yoga for healthy and active aging.
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2024-12-27 05:04:00