Longevity, or "long age," was the topic of the conference that Jocelyne and I were attending and teaching Yoga at last week in Ras Al Khamaih, UAE. Most of the tricks to longevity that were discussed by Dr. Chopra and other experts at the conference can be easily found on the internet, and the same tools are available to everyone, including:

• reducing stress
• getting the right amount and right quality of sleep 
• exercise 
• mind-body practices such as yoga
• meditation 
• managing healthy emotions
• spending time with friends and family 
• finding joy in life 
• nutrition - the right diet for you
• flexibility in consciousness 

While these are tools for living longer and healthier, the main teaching highlighted during the four days in the desert are that from a Yogic or Vedantic perspective there is a deeper view to attaining longevity, and that is to give allegiance to or form a relationship with that part of us which never ages, changes, and is ever present. The words used for this aspect of our being include consciousness, the Self, our inner being, or witness consciousness. The connection with our ever-present, ever-awake sense of being is essentially the purpose of the various Yogas. Once we have linked ourself to that timeless presence, then it doesn't matter if we live a long life or a short life, because we are awake to living. To be awake to our lives, our inner lives of our thoughts, emotions, and behavior, is more important than all the micronutrients in the world - and it's also a lot harder than taking vitamins. 

Hence, practice. 

Any of the ten tools listed above can help with this connection, when we do them with an open, relaxed, non-grasping mind. But the best thing to practice in all of those tools is the practice of observation and sensitivity. When we simply pay attention, whatever we focus our awareness on gives us hints on what to do. 

Important News and What's Up This Month and Next 

Seven Keys for a healthy heart and mind with Yoga 

Sunday, November 20th and Sunday, December 4th, 11:30am EST

Dr. Indranill Basu Ray and I continue our discussions on Yoga for cardiovascular health. All who attend and donate for the course will receive a digital copy of Dr. Basu Ray's new book, Principles and Practice of Yoga in Cardiovascular Health. Sign up here.