British Longevity Society

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Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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The British Longevity Society

Contact the BLS at www.antiageing.freeserve.co.uk

Anti-ageing techniques and therapies
        Ayurvedic Longevity
        Chi Kung and Ageing
        Hypnotherapy
        Pilates exercises

Ayurvedic Longevity
Ayurveda is an old Indian type of medicine which is enjoying a renewed interest in the West. There are several herbs used in Ayurvedic medicine specifically for enhancing longevity. The branch of Ayurvedic medicine which is concerned with living longer is called ‘rasayana’. A special combination of herbs and fruits designed to enhance longevity, called chyawanprash, is found to be a strong antioxidant with immune-strengthening abilities.

Another Indian herb used for longevity is ashwaghanda (withania somnifera, also called Indian ginseng). This is used to improve physical strength, relieve arthritis, treat insomnia and anxiety, improve sex drive and prevent stress. Analysed in the laboratory, ashwaghanda was found to contain almost 30 different active chemicals, many of which are still not fully researched.

For treating memory problems in particular, Ayurvedic practitioners use the extract of the Indian brahmi plant which is promoted as equivalent to ginkgo biloba. Brahmi plant extracts are available from good health food stores. Gotu cola (centella asiatica) has been used for thousands of years as a brain booster. Indian tradition suggests that gotu cola can increase intelligence and memory, and can slow down the ageing of the brain. Animal experiments using gotu cola leaves, show that the test animals who were fed on the active extract of the leaves were able to remember information up to sixty times longer, compared with control animals.

Apart from specific herbs used for longevity, there are also minerals which may be useful. A well known mineral agent is shilijit, which is produced by certain rocks in the Himalayan mountains. This mineral is usually used with herbal preparations, in order to enhance the absorption of the plant chemicals by the body.

Shilijit is used for treating tiredness, memory loss, weak immunity and urinary infections. Ayurvedic medicine offers many other treatments for age-related diseases, mainly by way of massage, yoga exercises, minerals and several hundreds of medicinal herbs.

Chi Kung and Ageing
The oriental art of Chi Kung is one of the most promising secrets in our fight against the ageing process. There are many different ways Chi Kung can be practised, some experts say several hundred different ways. The exercises are not merely physical but are also intended to train the brain and mind.

Certain Chi Kung postures are ideal for stretching and strengthening the joints, others are good for posture and yet others for improving brain function. Chi Kung forms part of the wider efforts of the Taoists to extend life and reach immortality. Apart from exercise, the Taoists have used breathing and concentration exercises, nutrition , herbs and sexual techniques. It is impossible to mention even the basic exercises in a short space but, if you are new to this practice, just to give you an idea here is a typical exercise:

Knocking at the Door of Life
(To activate your energy and feed it to all parts of your body)

    Stand straight with your feet slightly apart. Relax and think happy thoughts. Smile.        Begin to turn from side to side, slowly, starting with your head, then your shoulders
    and then your waist. Let your arms swing gently and rhythmically from side to side.
    The right hand will gently slap the left side of your waist, and then the left hand will
    slap the right side of the waist. Direct each hand in turn towards the lower part of
    your back, at the level opposite to your navel, and gently knock at that point with
    each swing. Continue for as long as you feel comfortable, while thinking of calm and
    relaxing thoughts. Stop if you feel dizzy.

This swinging and knocking movement is used to activate the ancestral energy stored in the kidneys. Orthodox doctors say that it helps stretch the muscles of the arms, shoulders, waist and lower back, as well as helping to clear the mind and reduce stress.

Hypnotherapy
This is a complementary medicine treatment, used to reduce anxiety, stress, depression , and to help in dealing with addictions such as smoking or alcoholism. BLS member Peter O’Loughlin, a registeretd clinical Hypnotherapist, is willing to offer more details on hypnotherapy. Write to him at Eden Lodge, 121 South Eden Park Road. Beckenham, BR3 3AT enclosing a SAE.

Pilates exercises
The Pilates technique is a form of simple and precise exercises, focusing on flexibility and strengthening of joints. Pilates uses concepts from both Eastern and Western philosophies to created movements which are smooth, easy flowing and safe. Emphasis is also placed on breathing techniques. The main benefits of Pilates are:

* Increases flexibility of the joints and muscles
* Improves and corrects posture
* Strengthens the sense of balance and co-ordination
* Fights tension, stress, arthritis, osteoporosis and rheumatism

For further details, contact The Pilates Studio Ltd, 116 Great Portland Street, London W1N 5PG, tel: 0207 636 2636

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