Ayurveda for Healthy Aging

Charles Goodman Lecture – Photo Peggy Sue McRae

Peggy Sue McRae shares what she learned at a recent Mullis Center lecture…

A convivial group of more than 20 people gathered at the Mullis Center to attend the lecture, Growing Younger in the Third Age of Life, about Ayurveda and the aging process. Charles Goodman, MA has been practicing and teaching Ayurvedic medicine for 30 years and has a private practice here on San Juan Island. Ayurveda he explained, means Ayur, (life) and Veda (knowledge) and is a healthcare system developed in India thousands of years ago. I went to the lecture thinking I would like to come away from it with a few simple things I could incorporate into my life to, if not “grow younger” at least add some grace and well being to my own aging process.

Goodman introduced us to the three Doshas, biological energies or mind-body types relating to the elements. Each person is made up of all three types with one type being dominant. If you are unwell your doshas will be out of balance but you can bring them back into balance by making simple changes to your diet and lifestyle. Kapha dosha relates to the elements water and earth and is strongest during childhood. Kapha relates to congestive diseases. Think of that kid with the constant runny nose. Pitta dosha relates to water and fire and is strongest during the reproductive years. Pitta relates to the intellect and is associated with inflammatory illnesses like fevers or rashes. Vata dosha, the third dosha, relates to the elements air and space, post reproductive age, creativity and degenerative diseases such as arthritis and dementia.

Because Vata increases with age, diet and lifestyle practices that temper Vata can help keep you feeling younger. Goodman recommended slow weight bearing exercise, yoga and slow breathing. Of the herbs recommended, garlic and ginger seemed like something I would enjoy making a point to include more often in my diet.

Hatha Yoga 19th Century Punjab

It has been two weeks now since the lecture. I’ve been enjoying the garlic and ginger. “Meditation” he said “is the most important thing you can do” so I decided it was time to bring meditation back into my life. I set a low bar of 10 minutes a day. Even with the bar that low I’m finding it surprisingly difficult to set aside the time to do absolutely nothing for 10 minutes yet most days I’ve managed to sit still and watch the circus in my head. I’ve been doing yoga too. Do I feel younger? Maybe not yet but I don’t think you can go wrong adding garlic, ginger, and yoga to your life.

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