Himalayan Yogis live for hundreds of years. Their average lifespan is 125 years.
What are the secrets to their longevity? How do they address aging? What does Sushrutha Samhita and Ayurveda say about preserving health and fitness?
What is the ROOT CAUSE of aging and premature aging? What are the indicators of premature aging? What insights does the Bhagavad-Gita provide on managing life and health? What distinguishes Health from Fitness? How can we holistically approach premature aging?
Unlock the secrets to achieving a timeless body that defies age!
To find answers, please read the full post.
Aging and Associated Perceptions and Latest Research:
The World Health Organization describes aging as a continuous biological process that begins at conception and concludes with death. It follows its own dynamics, largely beyond human control. Nevertheless, the process of aging is influenced by societal perceptions that define old age. In many developed countries, turning 60 is often associated with reaching retirement age and is commonly regarded as the onset of old age. From the purview of metaphysics and quantum physics aging is the process through which each cell in the body gradually loses energy over time, ultimately leading to a complete loss of energy, which can be termed 'physical death.'
Kundalini awakening improves the life-span of individuals. Soon, we will share a post on 'why spiritually inclined people appear younger and how spirituality enhances longevity.' Please stay tuned!!
Billionaires are heavily investing in research to tackle aging at the cellular level and to reverse the aging process. Altos Lab, a biotech firm focused on cellular rejuvenation, has received funding from Jeff Bezos, among others. Cellular Longevity, based in San Francisco and dedicated to prolonging dogs' lifespans, has raised $45 million in equity from venture capital funds. Unity Biotechnology, which develops treatments to reverse aging symptoms, has garnered investments from Bezos, venture capitalist Robert Nelson, and PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel. Sam Altman, the founder of OpenAI, has invested $180 million in Retro Biosciences, aiming to extend human life by 10 years.
Ordinary people, like you and me, may not have access to anti-aging treatments or the means to invest millions in them. However, we can prevent premature aging and achieve reverse aging by adhering to the rituals that will be outlined at the end of this post. The intent to prevent or reverse premature aging is crucial in this context. If you believe that enjoying life involves drinking and smoking and are willing to accept the consequences of premature aging, then this post may not resonate with you. On a personal note, I aspire to live a long life to honor the divinity within, to serve others, and to purify myself of karma.
Premature Aging:
Premature aging is when the signs of aging occur earlier than is standard. More scientifically, premature aging happens when a person's biological age is older than their chronological age (as per date of birth). Premature ageing also means you are able to see the signs of ageing when you are still young (as per DOB) and you see signs earlier than expected.
Premature ageing is different to different persons, as we are uniquely different from one another (in terms of personality, everything) and so are our bodies.
Signs of Premature Aging:
Here are the prominent signs of premature ageing if you notice them before turning 35:
1. Sunspots
Most Sunspots (also known as “liver spots” though they have nothing to do with your liver) fade somewhat over time. They typically do not disappear completely because the skin has been permanently damaged by the sun. Sunspots are flat areas of discolored skin that can be a tan or varying shades of brown.
They appear on any part of your body that gets exposure from the sun, such as your face, shoulders, back, and the backs of your hands or forearms. The appearance of sunspots typically starts to occur around the age of 40, though some people may develop them earlier or later in life, depending on the amount of sun exposure they’ve had. They are non-cancerous and don’t pose any risk to your health. However, they indicate premature aging.
2. Gaunt hands
Over time, the top layers of your skin become thinner and contain fewer structuring proteins, such as collagen so on, that give your skin its shape and maintains its girth.
Your hands may start to appear more veiny, thin, and prone to wrinkles as a result.
There’s no objective metric for when hands start looking older, but most people tend to notice it during their late 30s and early 40s.
3. Hyper-pigmentation.
Many people develop patchy discoloration on their chest or breasts as they get older.
Similar to sunspots, these areas of differing pigment can be caused by damage to your skin cells from sun exposure.
This kind of hyper-pigmentation isn’t always connected to aging. It can be the result of eczema or other skin conditions that damage the melanin cells in your skin.
There isn’t an average age of when this skin condition typically appears.
4. Dry or itchy skin
Dry or itchy skin (sclerosis cutis) may happen more frequently over time, as you get older. That’s because thinning skin is more susceptible to dehydration.
You may notice your skin becoming drier and more prone to flaking as you near your 40s and in mid 30s.
As you enter your mid 30s, your skin slows down the production of collagen, a protein that gives your skin its shape. Collagen is what helps your skin bounce back and stay plump.
With less collagen in the skin, it’s easier for visible wrinkles and sagging to occur. You might notice this happening more in areas in and around the frequently used muscles, like the forehead, or where you’re more exposed to the sun.
The age when people first notice wrinkles vary, with little standard for when it’s “premature.”
And sometimes aging may not even be responsible. It could simply be dirt or dehydration.
6. Hair loss
Hair loss happens as the stem cells that trigger new hair growth in your hair follicles die off.
Hormone changes, environmental factors, genetics, and your diet all play a role in how quickly this happens. This can also happen due to scalp damage.
Up to 40 percent of women over age 70 experience hair loss. Men experience it earlier, with 50 percent seeing hair loss after the age 50.
'INFLAMMATION' - The Root of Premature Aging and Aging:
Numerous articles have linked premature aging to factors such as smoking, sun exposure and tanning, genetics, sleep habits, diet, alcohol consumption, caffeine intake, environmental influences, stress, and more. However, these factors lead to 'INFLAMMATION,' which is at the core of premature aging and various disorders related to the body and mind, both of which are aspects of what is termed the SPIRIT. Inflammation is a byproduct of illnesses and injuries. It can be considered the root of compromised immunity, which in turn is the cause of many illnesses and infections.
Before proceeding, it is essential to recognize that health and fitness are distinct concepts, even though they are often used interchangeably. Fitness generally refers to the ability to perform physical or mental activities. It denotes capability, whereas health encompasses a broader spectrum of well-being. It is important to recognize that health encompasses physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Essentially, health means being free from illness or injury. As previously, stated
What Is INFLAMMATION?
Inflammation is a localized physical condition where a part of the body becomes red, swollen, hot, and often painful, typically as a response to injury or infection.
Inflammation is also the process by which your body's white blood cells and the things they make protect you from infection from outside invaders, such as bacteria and viruses.
What causes INFLAMMATION?
We narrate some examples where we increase inflammation:
On a cold winter day, you choose to indulge in ice cream, which results in you developing a cold, complete with sneezing and a slight fever. Subsequently, you take cold tablets and paracetamol, leading to inflammation.
As a fitness enthusiast, engaging in daily gym workouts is beneficial. However, consuming two bottles of beer or an entire bottle of wine daily, or even only on weekends, can lead to inflammation. While you may maintain your fitness, your overall health may deteriorate over time.
Excessive consumption of spicy food, which increases heat, can lead to acidity. Taking remedies like Eno or omeprazole may result in inflammation. Persisting with such habits can cause ulcers and various other complications. Medicines will stop working if you continually persist with eating excessively spicy food.
When inflammation happens, chemicals from your body's white blood cells enter your blood or tissues to protect your body from invaders (to protect you from infection.) This raises the blood flow to the area of injury or infection. It can cause redness and warmth. Some of the chemicals cause fluid to leak into your tissues, resulting in swelling. This protective process may trigger nerves and cause pain.
An increase in white blood cells and their byproducts within your joints leads to irritation, swelling of the joint lining, and gradual cartilage loss, which serves as a cushion at the ends of bones.
INFLAMMATION can be both MILD & CHRONIC:
Chronic inflammation results from prolonged and accumulated inflammatory responses in specific areas of the body.
In Ayurvedic medicine, one of the three humors, or doshas, in the body is 'Vata,' composed of the elements air and ether, and it governs movement and activity. The other doshas are 'Pitta' (heat) and 'Kapha' (mucus), and they are all interdependent.
Under a normal healthy body, all these 3 factors - Vatha, Pitha and Kapha - should be balanced. Any imbalance in any of these doshas will result in inflammation either mild or chronic. Continued mild inflammation leads to chronic inflammation which results in gastritis, cold, or any ailments, this results in premature aging and ultimately it affects our life span.
Any imbalance in any of Vatha, Pitha, and Kapha doshas will result in inflammation, either mild or chronic.
Individuals who have lived longer have managed to maintain a balance among Vatha, Pittha, and Kapha over extended periods. Individuals who have lived longer were found to have fewer health issues. They did not have diabetes or heart diseases for an extended period. Some may have developed these conditions in their later years.
How to tackle INFLAMMATION holistically?
युक्ताहारविहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु | युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य योगो भवति दु:खहा || 17||
yuktāhāra-vihārasya yukta-cheṣhṭasya karmasu yukta-svapnāvabodhasya yogo bhavati duḥkha-hā
yukta—moderate; āhāra—eating; vihārasya—recreation; yukta cheṣhṭasya karmasu—balanced in work; yukta—regulated; svapna-avabodhasya—sleep and wakefulness; yogaḥ—Yog; bhavati—becomes; duḥkha-hā—the slayer of sorrows
BG 6.17: But those who are temperate(moderate) in eating and recreation, balanced in work, and sleeping, can mitigate all sorrows by practicing Yoga.
Yoga represents the union of the soul with the divine. Conversely, Bhoga is the pursuit of sensual pleasures. Overindulgence in Bhoga contravenes the body's natural laws, leading to Roga, which means disease. As stated in the previous verse, if the body attracts diseases, it impedes the practice of Yoga Sadhana or spiritual transcendence. In this verse, Sri Krishna conveys that through moderation in all activities and with the practice of Yoga, one can attain liberation from the sorrows that afflict the body and mind.
As you learn the art & science of balancing or moderation in everything you do, you become healthy & fit, this indeed will drastically reduce inflammation.
Ayurveda posits that maintaining a balance among the three doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—alongside regulated eating, sleeping, working, recreational, and sexual habits, is key to achieving overall health and wellness.
It's because of strict adherence to Ashtanga Yogic principles that Himalayan Yogis we able to live for an average of 125 years. They practiced celibacy and were completely detached from their worldly desires.
Medical researchers have found that regular meditation drastically reduces inflammation, prevents premature aging and reverses aging. It's scientifically proved that meditation improves immunity, as a result of reduced inflammation.
Newly initiated Buddhist monks consistently meditated for approximately 1 hour over a span of 2 years. After this period, the results were astonishing! They appeared significantly younger, by as much as 8 years. This demonstrates the power of meditation!!
In our daily lives we are bothered by worries, anxiety, and our lifestyle has changed drastically. Our lifestyles have become increasingly sedentary, and our diets are often dominated by fast food and junk food. This shift towards an artificial way of living is accompanied by significant stress. We have multiple responsibilities to manage, multiple relationships to maintain. In midst of this, we say we don't have time to think about our health or perform health rituals. We realize the value of health only when there's a crisis.
The fundamental cause of all health problems and aging is the imbalance of the Yin-Yang aspects of our lives. According to the Bhagavad Gita, Yin Yang is synonymous with Purusha and Prakriti. Yang symbolizes speed, activity, performance, and thought, while Yin embodies slowness, passivity, and lethargy, among other things. Observing our lives, we often find an imbalance between these two forces.
We over work throughout weekdays and jerk off excessively in weekends. We either overthink, becoming worried and anxious, or we fail to think constructively and plan effectively. When we feel anxious or worried, our susceptibility to infections caused by microbes increases.
When we feel anxious or worried, the right side of our body (Yang or Pingala Nadi) becomes more active. Conversely, when we are lethargic, particularly on weekends or during sleep, the left side (Yin or Ida Nadi) is dominant. In Yoga, meditation, or pranayama, the practice involves balancing these energies and aligning them with the central path known as Brahma Nadi, Sushumna Nadi, or Chi energy path. It is along this central path that the Kundalini or Chi energy ascends. This is the key to health, reduces inflammation and we naturally look young.
The Value of Semen & The Practice of Celibacy:
By practicing strict celibacy, strict adherence to Ashtanga Yoga and maintaining a strict balance between the Yin-Yang aspects, the Himalayan Yogis lived for hundreds of years.
Semen is a vital fluid that contains your DNA and facilitates reproduction. Mating is a holy process of giving birth to an offspring. Semen contains vital constituents including Vitamin C & E apart from Sodium, Magnesium, Lecithin, Zinc and Phosphorous. Phosphorous and Zinc are responsible for creativity, clarity of focus and problem-solving skills. Semen is responsible for maintenance of hormonal balance in the body.
In Sanskrit, semen is known as 'Shukra Dhatu.' 'Shukra Dhatu.' is responsible for the abundant supply of 'Prana Shakti,' also known as 'Kundalini,' or 'Altered Cosmic Energy' to the body's organs via the Chakras within the 'Swaroopa Deha' or Astral Body. The Swadhishtana Chakra is credited with the copious secretion of semen. At times, semen is synonymous with Prana, or it is alternatively referred to as Ojus. Taoists refer to semen as 'Chi' energy. As long as the Prana shakti is abundantly supplied to all organs, our organs and health remains intact.
Semen retention & absorption is critical to activate the chakras, Kundalini Awakening, Enlightenment and increasing longevity. As you abstain yourself from indulging in sexual intercourse or masturbation by watching porn or erotic images, you are letting this holy fluid to get absorbed and thereby ensuring not only better functioning of body and mind, but also you are activating your Chakras, Kundalini and ultimately, you are continuing your journey towards enlightenment and Nirvana. Semen retention & absorption is a practice that allows a man to channel his sexual energy in the other areas of his life, such as creativity, productivity and spiritual growth.
Semen retention & absorption improves mating potential and boosts confidence. This makes one attractive. Legends Steve Jobs and Muhammud Ali abstained from indulging in self-pleasure, they practiced celibacy that boosted their creativity and physical strength. Semen retention & absorption boosts testosterone levels & it boosts sperm counts in males and ova counts in females.
The practice of semen retention & absorption improves muscle density and bone strength. According to Ayurveda and Vedas, Semen is one of the constituents of the Saptha Dhaatu — the seven vital elements that make up the Pancha Bhautika Shareera, or the physical body. This body is composed of the five elements: fire, water, air, earth, and ether (sky).
The excessive loss of semen through ejaculation significantly increases inflammation and lead to hormonal imbalances. This may result in reduced testosterone levels, vitality, and immunity. Hormonal imbalance leads to various psychiatric disorders, which include schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and clinical depression.
Excessive loss of semen weakens the aura, which not only impacts physical and mental health but also spiritual well-being. Individuals with a weakened aura may be more susceptible to negative spiritual influences such as black magic and demonic possession.
Food - the key to Health and Longevity:
Ayurveda says:
'Aaharam Eva Arogyasya Moolaha'
Trans: Food that we eat is the root of health.
Food is like a medicine, there should be a balance in proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and so on.
What we eat, listen to, give importance to, what we magnify, our activities (both mental, physical and spiritual) tremendously influence our health and longevity. Be positive, think positive! Be watchful of your thoughts. Having a positive attitude promotes better health.
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"You are what you eat" goes beyond being a mere saying—it illustrates how our decisions impact not only our physical selves but also our mental state and energy levels. The food we ingest serves as the fuel for our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. A diet abundant in nourishing nutrients aligns with our body's natural rhythms, whereas processed and unnatural foods can diminish our physical and spiritual well-being.
This image vividly illustrates the significance of mindful eating. By selecting foods that are whole, vibrant, and natural, we honor the earth and align ourselves with its energy. These choices not only nourish us but also link us to the cycles of life, reminding us of the interconnectedness of everything.
Consider your connection with food. What does it mean to nourish yourself in a holistic manner? Discuss how your dietary choices have affected your well-being, and let's motivate one another to develop a more mindful approach to our eating habits.
There's a Subhashitha -
Hitha Bhuk Mitha Bhuk Shurutu Bhuk Rutu Bhuk Aruk Bhavati |
Those who consume food that is Hitha—agreeable to the stomach and body—in appropriate quantities and at proper times (Ruthu Bhuk), as well as food that is rich in Sattva (balanced in all nutrients), will maintain good health consistently. Now, all these practices are imbibed by nutritonists.
In Sushruta Samhita, it's stated that one should not consume too spicy, sweet, sour or bitter food. Maintaining a balance in all these aspects of food tackles INFLAMMATION. The offerings made to Lord Krishna, known as Naivedya, consist of Sattva-rich or Sattvic foods.
You need to fill food for only 50% of your stomach capacity, 25% should be filled with water, the remaining 25% should be left empty, to be filled with air. Also, it says to excrete twice a day. Vegetables such as garlic enhance sexual drive; therefore, it may be advisable to avoid them if one is practicing celibacy. The belief that onions increase anger and put pressure on the heart, leading to advice to consume fewer spicy vegetables.
Go Vegan! Scientific evidence supports that a vegan diet, including green vegetables and cereals, can reduce inflammation and enhance health. Meat, being a solid food, is often considered to have low vibrational energy and may carry viruses and bacteria from deceased animals. Some believe that hot water can neutralize these, yet improper washing still poses a risk. For those seeking to elevate their vibrations and achieve spiritual transcendence, avoiding meat is advised.
Drink more water! Consistent hydration significantly diminishes inflammation. Water possesses a high vibrational frequency; thus, increasing your water intake can elevate your vibrations. The higher your vibrations, the stronger your aura will be.
Drink sufficient water, not less, not even more, balanced. A sufficient supply of water maintains body temperature, reduces inflammation.
In addition, regular physical activity, including breathing exercises, walking, or jogging, is beneficial in reducing inflammation. Furthermore, Hatha Yoga practices such as Kumbhaka Pranayama are known to enhance longevity.
Lifting weights increases muscle density, this in turn reverses ageing. Regularly practicing all these rituals reverses aging. Maintaining a balance in calorie intake, regular walk or jogging tremendously reduces inflammation and prevents premature ageing.
'You have to earn the food, not by just mentally working in office desk, but by physically working out and fasting."
"The calories you consume should match with the calories you burn."
"The hours of work should be compensated with deep rest, relaxation equitably. This can only enable to work joyously."
Consume food in moderation, especially during periods of low physical activity. If you've expended more calories, it's necessary to replenish with proteins, minerals, and vitamins. An imbalance can result in inflammation and obesity, which may cause premature aging.
Reward yourself for each productive activity done! Your mind craves for rewards, give it surprisingly! It's a more effective way to motivate to be productive.
Twice a week apply oil to whole body esp. head, don't directly wash your head with a Shampoo. This ancient ayurvedic technique gave rise to massage parlors. You don't have to frequently visit massage parlors, apply oil regularly to the whole body. This prevents gaunt hands & hair fall or loss, & dry skin, improves skin quality. Ultimately it prevents premature aging.
Practice intermittent fasting (either with liquids or no liquids & solids), this spiritual practicing is called 'Ekadashi Vrat.' Ekadashi Vrat involves full day fasting once every 15 days. Practitioners begin with a liquids-only diet, progress to water-only fasting, and ultimately, they cease that as well.
Himalayan Yogis practice fasting for 1 day initially, gradually they can live without food & water for more than 1 month, with all their spiritual rituals. Eventually they give up food, and they receive cosmic energy directly from the sun. Fasting improves your absorption capacity of cosmic energy or Kundalini energy (transformed cosmic energy).
Fasting improves metabolism, it cleanses your digestive system. It clears off all the dead cells, as lysosomes (suicide bags in cells) get activated, they destroy all the unwanted dead cells, it reduces the fat content of your body. You'll feel light after this ritual!!
Do both Yoga or Tai Chi and Gym. Personally, I do both Yoga and weight lifts to tone the body. Yoga and Tai-chi are fat burners (body breakers), gym builds the body, converting fat into muscles. Balance in both gives your health, stamina and longevity.
Hope this information is useful!
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Yadu,
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