24/02/2023
Have you heard of InflammAging?
It’s a new term in the Wellbeing arena and refers to the accelerated aging that is caused by inflammation in the body.
Ayurveda, the ancient wisdom/science of how to live well originating in India thousands of years ago, recognises 3 causes of imbalance and disease.
1. The effects of time – aging
2. The misuse of our Senses – overuse rather than underuse
3. Crimes against Wisdom – human nature.
What this recognises is that Aging based on the effect of time is a completely natural process. However, what we attribute to this march of time may also be related to day to day choices on the way i.e. how we live.
The belief, ‘Oh, that’s just part of getting older’ doesn't accept responsibility for our choices. For not moving our body more or for not feeding it nourishing food, or for putting things in and on our body that we know aren’t good for us. And that’s how something becomes a crime against wisdom, when we know it’s not good for us and we do it anyway.
Did you notice that only one of these causes relates to the physical body, the other 2 are about the Mind. That’s where the Senses come in.
Ayurveda recognises that we have 6 Senses and each one has an organ of perception i.e. the sense organs.
Smell – nose
Taste – mouth
Sight – eye
Touch – skin
Sound – ears
Mind - brain
The first 5 senses are the gateways through which we experience life and they channel that experience to the Mind. The natural tendency of our senses is to be overactive troublemakers. Let’s just call it human nature and say that we find it hard to say no.
Self Indulgence destroys our Freedom
One way to avoid InflammAging, or accelerated aging is to recognise the inherent value in limitation.
The one thing that our body will not tolerate, and will come at a cost at some point in time, is OVER-indulgence.
Without question enjoyment is an important part of life. However we lose our ability to enjoy when we exceed our limits.
Which is exactly what is happening with InflammAging. We can no longer enjoy or do the things we used to be able to.
The inherent lesson is that either we limit ourselves willingly or Nature will limit us.
Either we learn to respect our limits a little bit each day, or Nature will come along and restrict it for us in a way that is rarely ever convenient and often painful.
The body does not create imbalance without cause. Disease is Nature’s way to force us to stop and correct imbalance. To acknowledge the impact of our past choices and make different ones moving forward.
Permanent relief comes only with permanent changes in our habits.
Our Mind may tell us that our freedom is being curtailed however true freedom is only ours when we don’t feel physically or emotionally compelled to do something – to be busy, to have that coffee or wine. Our addictions…whatever they are - caffeine, sugar, alcohol, drugs, gambling, being busy, Netflix – are the real nails in the coffin of our Freedom.
Very simply Ayurveda suggests that we indulge to the degree that it doesn’t adversely impact on our health and wellbeing.
Only then will the effects of time be the cause of our aging.
The good news is that the body is incredibly forgiving and resilient. When we change our habits, inflammation reduces and the things we couldn’t do or eat can become part of our life again.
I have 4 offerings coming up that are specifically intended to support you in halting and reversing InflammAging.
Beating InflammAging Workshop
9.00-11.00am -12/3/2023
Redhead Girl Guides Hall
Conscious Living Women’s WellBeing Programme
A 12 week or 12 month transformational journey designed to support your longevity and shift whatever is getting in the way of the person you want to be and the life you want to live. A Community of women on a journey to Wellness.
The journey begins with a one day workshop on 19/3/2023.
Anytime is a good time to cleanse and around the Autumn and Spring Equinox is especially beneficial. I am running two Autumn cleanses that are the perfect complement for each other. If you register for the Master Cleanse Retreat you get a bonus FREE pass to the Magical Mung Challenge.
Magical Mung 10 Day Challenge
25/3 – 3/4/2023
This guided online community event is a unique opportunity to discover the magic of mung beans and experience the support of your fellow Mungers.
Autumn Master Cleanse Retreat
4 – 10/4/2023
Stroud Monastery, Stroud
This residential retreat calls in the traditional wisdom and cleansing practices of both Ayurveda and Yoga. Set in the tranquil bushland of Stroud Monastery it is the perfect opportunity to step away and press the reset button on yourself and your life.
I'm currently in Thailand running a retreat and will be back in Redhead on 2/3.
PM me or leave a comment below if you would like to know more about any of the programmes coming up.
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