Beauty from within Print E-mail
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Keeping the body beautiful


Yoga postures are designed to tone and strengthen muscles, stretch the body, and improve the functioning of all internal organs and the cardiovascular system. They can help to concentrate the mind, sharpen the intellect, attain inner peace, and improve posture and balance. The breathing exercises in yoga also help to improve the flow of energy and enable more air to be brought into the lungs, thus improving circulation and calming the mind.

Pilates exercises cover all muscle groups and work on the respiratory, circulatory, lymphatic, digestive and even reproductive, systems, giving them a boost. As the best-selling Pilates author Lynne Robinson explains, “Nothing is as ageing as standing badly, when you can’t breathe properly and your body sags. When you stand correctly you look and feel younger and move more efficiently.”

Alexander Technique teachers enable their pupils to become more aware of where they are holding tension in their body unnecessarily. The Technique focuses on releasing tension, improving posture and breathing properly. According to AT Teacher, Ian O’Donnell, “The aim of the Alexander Technique is to prevent stiffening up and improve flexibility and lightness of movement, and as you use your body more efficiently it lasts longer. When you move with more poise you look more elegant and standing upright is obviously more attractive than being hunched up.”

Body, mind and spirit


Having looked at the physical ways of staying young and looking beautiful, it is important to also reflect on the emotions and spiritual life. People’s faces are very telling and someone who worries a lot but keeps it all bottled up often starts to look older than their years and can develop ill health.

Counselling can help with emotional and relationship problems, grief or burdens that have been carried around since childhood.
Meditation is also helpful for keeping a clear mind, staying calm, relieving stress and helping with the appreciation and enjoyment of life.

A good night’s sleep every night does wonders for how you look!
  • British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy: 0870 443 5252; www.bacp.co.uk
  • Transcendental Meditation National Communications: 0870 514 3733; www.t-m.org.uk

Ageing is often in the mind when people don’t have enough joy in their lives. Notwithstanding serious tragedy, if life isn’t that bad but your mind is constantly thinking that it might be, then lighten up a little with an amusing film or book. Having a good laugh is a brilliant way to keep yourself looking and feeling young and cheerful.

These eight ‘superfoods’ are high in antioxidants:
  1. Blueberries will help to strengthen blood capillaries, improve circulation and help eyesight.
  2. Tomatoes are rich in vitamins A and E and lycopene, which helps to prevent prostate cancer.
  3. Spinach contains plenty of vitamin C, vitamin E and potassium, which can slow down macular degeneration, and can prevent and regulate high blood pressure.
  4. Brazil nuts are rich in iron, zinc, magnesium and vitamin B1 and are high in the antioxidant mineral selenium.
  5. Carrots contain high levels of beta-carotene and vitamin A – essential for healthy skin, hair and eyes.
  6. Broccoli is a good source of both selenium and vitamin C.
  7. Garlic is high in quercetin; it has antioxidant and antibiotic action, keeps blood cholesterol levels low, reduces risk of blood clots, enables blood to flow well, lowers high blood pressure and blood sugar levels and is believed to help to prevent some cancers.
  8. Green tea has antiviral and antibacterial properties, keeps teeth healthy and lowers bad cholesterol.

Frances Ive is on the committee of the Guild of Health Writers and her website (www.healthysoul.co.uk ) offers information about complementary therapies and living a natural lifestyle, and encourages individuals to take responsibility for their own health.

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