The Fountain of Youth
As a child I was under the impressive that the phrase “The Fountain of Youth” was only about the physical appearance of looking young forever. As a young girl I envisioned a large water fountain – as that was my only reference to what a fountain could be – which would have a long lineup of people seeking a lifetime of looking young. It’s interesting that I immediately thought that youth was only about how people appeared.
Now, at the age of 44 (how the heck did that happen!?!) I realize that youthfulness has many factors. I tried to order this as most important to least for My Fountain of Youth, but it was impossible. They are all support a youthful existence.
- First and foremost, it is the mobility, stability, and endurance of my physical body that makes me feel young. Having the capacity to climb a mountain, pause and sink within a Yin posture, or cycle for a day makes me feel younger than any wrinkle-reducing product can. At 42 I decided I’d learn to skate and play ice hockey. Let me be clear, I’m still learning both! But every time I am on the ice the challenge of the sport and the fact that I have the physical capacity to play makes me feel like a teenager. While it may seem cliché, I regularly “toot the horn” of a regular yoga practice as one of the factors for my capability to be so physically active. But let’s not kid ourselves. Yoga alone does not accomplish this. I maintain a balance of heavy strength training, cardio, and yoga to keep this body moving as it does!
- My mind. I love to engage with older adults. I notice that those who continue to train their minds, with puzzles, books, and conversations, are just sharper overall. One of my favorite ways to keep my mind sharp is to try new things.
“When was the last time you did something for the first time?” – John C. Maxwell
Trying something new engages and challenges our minds, and depending on the task, our physical bodies as well. I recently swung a golf club at a driving range for the very first time ever. I had an experienced player there who was able to give me tips about my swing, and you best believe my mind was lit up trying to put the advice to use! Sidebar, I am not ready to be a golfer just yet.
- Let’s not negate the impact our communities and social circles impact how old we feel. Acquaintances of all ages, races, genders; those who are academics, athletes, parents and grandparents. They all add to how we view the world. Close relationships impact our careers, hobbies, and day to day living.
- Nutrition and Hydration. After a recent extended time with family, I knew my nutrition had gone off the rails. Daily ice cream (“go Team Ice Cream!”), the compromise of shared meals, and the convenience to pack all the fun into one day. I sure felt it. My sleep was disrupted. My energy low. My hands swollen in the morning. Not to mention the digestion! The list goes on. Eat with intention for your nutrition, not just to be full and for the love of yourself, go easy on the sugar. If you want to listen to a great podcast on how sugar impacts our bodies, click here. Be warned, it’s not good news! When it comes to hydration, as Nike would say “Just Do It”. You can debate filtered, unfiltered, fluoride or not… I’ll leave that to you!
- What about rest? Our need for sleep and rest is often overlooked. When life’s busy we tend to sacrifice rest – guilty! By this I mean, just taking a moment to sit, lay down, or find a Restorative class. Over the past few years sleep has become a non-negotiable for me. I want 8hrs per night and I will take the time to set the tone of my space, to the best of my ability, to allow for uninterrupted sleep. Does it always happen? Absolutely not. But I make the effort for it to happen.
- Mother Nature, she’s so powerful. Spending time in nature, disconnected from our phones, computers, social media is a must. There’re studies that prove sunlight in the morning, grounding our feet to the earth, and spending time in nature positively impacts our health. So, get out there and find the power in the peace of nature.
- Whether it’s a dance party in my kitchen, or live music with friends, music can bring me back to any decade of my life. In short, it’s always been a part of my life.
- Taking care of our skin. I’d be lying if I said part of feeling young didn’t involve the quality of my skin. As a teenager I was always concerned if I got one pimple or too much sun. As I age, wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots become more worrying. Yes, I have wished for a cure for all of these. However, I’m also aware that the state of your skin can reflect experiences – laugh lines for example. So, I take notice, I take care, and I accept that it’s a privilege to age.
While I’d love to say I always have the perfect balance of my list, I do not. But I know in this moment the items above can make me feel young. It truly is a privilege to grow old but that doesn’t mean it’s easy and we never know what obstacles life will hold. What we do know is, taking care of ourselves; mind, body, and spirit, will have a positive impact on our aging.
What combines to complete YOUR Fountain of Youth? Is there something you’ve been missing?
Remember to always practice within your own limits and take care of physical and emotional well-being. Use yoga props as suits your practice.
Asana Practice: Before summer officially comes to an end I encourage to go outside for your practice this week. Whether in your backyard, a local park, or on the top of a mountain. Bring hydration, protect your skin, and move your body. Perhaps even bring a friend along. Here’s some movement to get you started:
Mountain > Warrior I (R) > Standing Figure Four > Chair > Standing Wind Relieving (R) > Warrior I (R) > Mountain > Warrior I (L) > Standing Figure Four > Chair > Standing Wind Relieving (L) > Warrior I (L)
Mountain > Warrior I (R) > Standing Figure Four > Chair > Standing Wind Relieving (R) > Standing Figure Four (R) > Standing Wind Relieving (R) > Warrior I (R) > Mountain > Mountain > Warrior I (L) > Standing Figure Four > Chair > Standing Wind Relieving (L) > Standing Figure Four (L) > Standing Wind Relieving (L) > Warrior I (L) > Mountain
Journaling Practice: If you’ve never thought about what makes you feel young, start today. Make a list, perhaps even decide when you can put items on your list into action. If you’ve just done something that made you feel young write about your experience.
Additional Challenge! Get out and try something new this week. Whether it’s a new walking route, sitting at a different coffee shop, or volunteering with a friend. Look for one new experience!
Wishing to learn more about the practice of yoga and/or add teaching to your resume? You have just a few days to Reserve Your Spot for the next 200HR Yoga Teacher Training beginning September 6, 2025, and become a Certified Yoga Teacher before the end of 2025. Looking for more details? Email stephaniepower.ayc@gmail.com.
If you want to share your experience with us, follow us on Instagram: @albertayogacollege
With gratitude,
-Stephanie