Ancient Longevity Techniques: Movement and Exercise: Yoga, Tai chi and Pilates (Part 3)
Note: This is a continuation of Ancient Longevity Techniques: Diet & The Elixir of Life, Part 2.
This newsletter is dedicated to learning more about Ancient Longevity Techniques. These techniques are discussed with reference to:
increased life span (more than 100 years),
radical longevity (100 - 900 years); and,
immortality.
Like diet and food choices, some techniques appear to be shared by cultures and shaped by generations. Some take a lifetime to master. Some are simple and can be done quickly and alone. Some are performed with others and become a set of rituals or religious in nature. Perhaps the one thing all ancient techniques share is the need for discipline. They teach discipline by requiring it in the continued performance of the technique. In this way, discipline appears to be closely aligned to longevity.
The third technique we are going to research is movement and exercise.
Movement and Exercise: Yoga, Tai chi and Pilates
Ancient text suggests that movement and exercise techniques like yoga are centered around energy and breath work.
Yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates are three examples of techniques used and discussed in ancient text, particularly east Indian. These full-range movements include breathwork and energy flow. Some are used as both a mental and physical exercise.
Benefits of Yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates include cartilage and joint support, increased bone density, increased blood flow, improved immune system, oxidization of the heart, lower resting heart rate, regulation of the adrenal glands by lowering cortisol levels, and lowering of blood sugar and bad cholesterol.
For diabetics, it increases the body’s sensitivity to the effects of insulin. It improves balance, calms the nervous system and helps achieve a deeper sleep.
Yogic breathing has been shown to help people with lung problems and improve measures of lung function, including maximum volume of breath and efficiency of exhalation. Yoga itself is a promotion of breathing through the nose. It is also said to promote healthy digestion.
The Eye of Revelation by Peter Kelder is a well known book detailing The Five Tibetan Rites. The book documents the story of Colonel Bradford. Bradford claimed he’d discovered the fountain of youth while journeying high up in the Himalayas.
In his booklet, Kelder claims that while stationed in India, British army officer Colonel Bradford (a pseudonym) heard a story about a group of lamas who had apparently discovered a "Fountain of Youth".
But what are the five rights?
The five rights are actually yoga postures that only take a few minutes to perform.
That last one looks remarkably like the yoga pose known as downward dog.
Users of the five rights said they experienced increased energy, weight loss, better memory, new hair growth, pain relief, better digestion, and feeling younger.
Another book called I’ve Decided To Be 120, by Ilchi Lee promotes three kinds of physical training: one-minute, high-intensity interval training, like pushups, sit-ups, squats and jumping jacks.
The second is longevity walking, which is strolling strongly with feet parallel. The third involves rhythmically compressing the navel, which increases blood circulation and better creation of the happiness hormones serotonin and dopamine.
While Yoga, Tai chi and Pilates are all forms of movement, they are all different and have different benefits. Yoga is a practice focused on strength and flexibility, while Pilates is focused on toning and bettering your posture and movement. The breathing techniques used in Pilates and Yoga are also quite different.
Yoga is considered a branch of philosophy from ancient India. It is a series of movements designed to increase awareness of the body including the mind. There are many different types of Yoga, but each one relies on structured poses practiced with breathwork. Yoga focuses on flexibility and building endurance for broad muscle groups. The goal is to use Yoga along with meditation and breathing practices to improve overall health and longevity.
Tai chi, like Yoga, has both modern and ancient forms. It is a form of soft martial arts with Chinese Taoist foundations. It uses gentle, slow movements and postures in fluid motion to keep the body in movement through meditation.
Studies have also found that those who practice pranayama or “breath control” are able to do more exercise with less oxygen. Regularly moving the heart rate into the aerobic range lowers the risk of heart attack and can relieve depression.
Pilates focuses on muscles and posture, which helps to keep the body balanced.
Invented in the early 20th century as a method of body rehabilitation for World War I soldiers, Pilates requires concentration and focus. It lengthens and stretches all the major muscle groups in your body and in a balanced way. The workout consists of exercise sequences performed in low repetitions, usually five to ten times, over a session of 45 minutes.
In addition to adding to longevity through health, Yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates are meant to develop discipline with the mind and body.
Yoga and Pilates are similar in many ways. They both include movements and poses intended to increase strength and flexibility.
Modern scientific research has investigated the effects of Tai Chi. Users found all the things you would expect to go along with improved longevity: improved balance, reduced blood pressure, improved sleep quality, enhanced immune response, improved bone density, improved heart rate and reduced stress. It was also found to aid in the regulation of blood sugar for those with type 2 diabetes.
In my next post, I’ll discuss DNA Activation / Manipulation.