Ageless action

Khushwant Singh, who was your columnist's beloved first boss, says he is coming on to 98 years and is still earning more than he did in his younger days! He goes on to ruminate on the secret of his longevity. Earlier, he had written that longevity was in one's genes: children of long-lived parents are likely to live longer than those born of short-lived ones. Both his parents were nonagenarians. Yet, only two out of their five children remain. Nevertheless, Khushwant still believes that gene is the most important factor in determining one's life-span.

What does this mean for those whose parents had relatively short life-spans? Is the book for longevity definitely closed for them? It's difficult to give a categorical answer. But exciting new research has shown that the inexorable power that genes normally wield over our lives can be dramatically reversed with something as ridiculously simple as exercise!

Scientists at McMaster University were startled to discover that exercise kept a strain of mice from becoming gray prematurely. But sable fur was the least of the benefits. Exercise eliminated almost every detrimental effect of ageing in mice that had been genetically programmed to grow old at an accelerated pace!

The scientists were surprised by the magnitude of impact exercise had on the ageing process. Yoga discovered the very same 'secret' centuries ago. "Whether young, old or too old, sick or lean, one who discards laziness gets success if he practices Yoga," says Hathayogapradipika. "Practice alone is the means to success."