Can Yoga Enhance Aging Gracefully?

With age, unfortunately, there is anatomical decline. An undeniable fact that must be embraced. However, since the early 90s, with the common practice of Botox and the growing trend of facial self-care practices and technologies, women have been more inspired to look and feel youthful despite their physical age.

Recently, there has been a shift toward tending well to the external epidermis (skin) through treatments and skincare and considering how to tend well to the internal dermis (which supplies nutrients to the skin) through eating well, exercising, staying hydrated, taking supplements, and managing stress.

How does the practice of yoga affect the aging process?

With age, the physical body gradually declines. Bone loss, decreased muscle mass, and degenerative joint diseases affect posture. Hormone deficiency causes the skin to lose its tone and elasticity. And, of course, organs begin to function less optimally. Unfortunately, we cannot reverse these effects, but through conscious choices and daily actions, we can influence the speed and severity at which they occur.

The practice of yoga can readily shape the aging process. Flexibility, balance, muscle strength, and mobility are integral to maintaining an ideal physical posture. Through the architectural alignment of yoga poses, the joints are placed at 90-degree angles for optimal flushing of synovial fluid within the joint spaces to resist degeneration. Yoga stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, directly impacting and regulating the endocrine system. It produces necessary hormones to generate balance within the systems, which, therefore, directly affects mental and emotional well-being, reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. 

How does the practice of yoga affect the skin's aging process? 

As we have believed, our genetic DNA significantly determines the appearance of our skin, affecting the skin's tone, type, the aging process, elasticity, sensitivity and being prone to ski conditions.

However, in contrast, it has been quantified that our genetic makeup and activity are not fixed. The study of Epigenetics states that the environment and behaviour of an individual directly affect protein production, signalling the gene to “turn on or off.” It is attributed to chemical modifications responsible for the body's structure and function. The most prominent environment and behaviour attributed to “turning off” a gene is stress. The emotions of stress result in no protein production and, therefore, no protein binding to the DNA. Yoga is an activity that helps strengthen genetic activity because it is the antidote to stress. Yoga stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system to regulate and optimize the seven physical systems of the body, thereby promoting healthy cellular coherence (how the cell responds and communicates with other cells). Proteins can then be released by the cell and bind to the DNA naturally.

In addition, yoga promotes maintaining balance off the mat. One naturally begins to respond to challenging situations neutrally instead of reacting. One also begins to self-observe and identify 'stress' as objective. Based on one's perception, the unconscious subjective mind creates the stress caused by one's identification with habitual conditioning; therefore, all suffering becomes a choice. The practice of yoga constantly reminds one to choose not to identify with automatic fear-based thought patterns and the importance of creating an elevated emotion regularly, regulating the DNA structure.

Lastly, when we move our bodies, our heart rate increases, naturally increasing blood circulation, oxygen and essential nutrients in the dermis and epidermis cells. This promotes cellular coherence, improving the renewal and repair of cells and tissues. Movement stimulates the production of collagen protein, which is then synthesized in the dermis and is responsible for the skin's firmness and elasticity. In addition, skin reduces inflammation, which is responsible for specific skin conditions such as acne, peri-oral dermatitis, and psoriasis. 

So, yes, practicing yoga will enhance your ability to age gracefully, but it is not the golden rule. I believe that a daily movement and stillness practice of your choice will do wonders to diminish the signs of physical aging. However, that may look and feel for you. 

xx 

Erica

**image credit: oliviaabustamante