It's Just Diet and Exercise, Right?

We have had it drummed into our heads that if we eat "right" and move our bodies on a consistent basis then we'll live a long and healthy life. Our culture gives an incredible amount of energy into these two facets of how we can choose to live.

But is that enough?

Apparently not, according to researchers who've studied groups of people who live well and actively into their 90's and 100's. They found pockets of people around the world who as a collective outlive all others, en masse. They termed these groups Blue Zones with author Dan Buettner writing the book "The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from people who lived the longest." Basically it's a concept used to identify a demographic and/or geographic area of the world where people live measurably longer lives.

These communities were found in:

• Sardinia, Italy
• The islands of Okinawa, Japan
• Loma Linda, California
• Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
• Icaria, Greece

What they all had in common

• Just move - Active lifestyles, more than heavy exercise, is what leads most to longevity.
• Purposeful outlook - Have clarity about your role in life.
• Down shift on stress - Blue zone cultures all have their own ways of shedding stress in life.
• Eat to 80% full - Stop your meals when you are 80% full rather than totally full.
• Plant slant - Meat is more of a condiment than a staple in most Blue Zones.
• Wine @ 5 - Moderate drinking has positive benefits.
• Belong to a community - Belonging to a faith-based community extends one's life in general.
• Loved ones first - Focusing on family in life and keeping family members close to home will improve one's life.
• Right Tribe - Having a social circle that promotes healthy lifestyles is important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle yourself.

With that being said, these blue zones have many qualities that are taught via living a yogic lifestyle. So although movement and food choice are important other elements of our daily life play a role that is as vital.

The areas that yoga fully addresses are: purpose, managing stress, community, love and having a social tribe. We can deepen our exploration of purpose through studying the purusharthas (the purpose of our soul). We can learn how to better manage the challenges in our life through breath and meditation. We have a strong sense of community and tribe via satsang (spiritual community) and sangha (social gathering). And we do it all from the perspective of Ahimsa (the act of compassion for self, others and Mother Earth) the first Yama mentioned in the yoga sutras.

Simply by stepping onto a yoga mat you begin to address so much more than diet and exercise. Our entire being, our connection to others and the planet begins to deepen. I hope that whatever path you follow, you consider the richness of life that is available to all by looking beyond what you already know. In fact, I have a mini blue zone right here in the desert...a group of clients who are nonagenarians and have many of these qualities as they are living lives that are engaged and purposeful. I am blessed to bear witness to this mini blue zine and hope to see it keep expanding!