Age like a Yogi: A Heavenly Path to a Dazzling Third Act
Victoria Moran
Rhinebeck, N.Y.: Monkfish, 2024. 206 pp., paper, $19.99.
We all face the challenges of aging and coping with local and world problems. Victoria Moran’s book is an inspiration and guidebook, almost a textbook, to assist with these challenges, not only for those who are older, but for those of any age.
Nevertheless, Moran focuses on guidance for the elder years. Her book is written for maintenance of health and prevention of many health challenges in later life. She states, “The first step is to appreciate your body as it is this minute and trust in the God-given ability to add more fitness, grace, and elegance at any age.” She goes on to say that the body is a gift to care for, and it was engineered to move. Yoga builds strength and supports the health of every part of the body. It can also heal the emotions and the spirit.
The foreword by Sharon Gannon defines the Sanskrit word bhava—a yogic term—as the ultimate good mood: a state of mind free of anxiety and other negative emotions. Chapter by chapter, Moran maps out the ways to achieve this state of mind. She begins by describing a time in her early twenties when she worked at the Theosophical Society of America in Wheaton. She was greatly impressed by Iris, a septuagenarian Theosophist who exuded positivity, a joyful glow, and much more that would reflect the state of bhava. Moran describes this time as instrumental in leading her to yoga, which became her foundational practice for life. In this book, she shares the wisdom she gained throughout the years as her practice of yoga unfolded.
Moran interweaves threads of ayurvedic healing practices with the healing ways of yoga. Chapter 11 explains the physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits of the ayurvedic use of spices and herbs. An example is the three C’s: cardamom, coriander, and cumin, along with saffron, which are taken to help one’s memory.
Chapters 8‒10 map out the benefits of eating foods that nourishes one’s dosha. That leads to an excellent discussion of the three fundamental bodily types, called doshas, and why it is important to learn about them. Moran describes the qualities of the doshas—kapha, pitta, and vata—encouraging each individual to explore which qualities fit them. She notes the importance of staying close to our original dosha makeup as possible.
Moran describes yogic practices that support the journey to spiritual enlightenment. She notes that each life phase can bring the ability to find one’s inner light, even God, through yoga practices. Her description of the four stages of life—called ashramas—in Hindu culture is in a language understandable to the layperson.
Chapters 16 and 17 are two of my favorites, discussing ojas, which refers to vigor, the fluid of life, the vital sap: “Signs of ojas include clear, sparkling eyes, a radiant complexion, disease resistance, a pleasant body smell, and bound-out-of-bed energy in the morning.” (Moran remembers Iris as having this glow factor.) It is about living well, feeling confident, and radiating contentment that others can discern. She goes on to say that ojas is necessary for strong immunity, good humor, even spiritual fortitude. To nourish one’s ojas, Moran encourages eating “all-star fresh fruits” such as ripe bananas, figs, mangos, and citrus, plus sweet potatoes.
Ojas also embraces happy thoughts. Noting that we witness images of suffering around the globe every day, Moran urges, “We must set protective boundaries for ourselves and safeguard our mental health while at the same time acknowledging that there is a level at which other’s suffering is ours too, because we are connected.” Her instructions include living a clear life, calming the fluctuations of the mind as the goal of yoga.
In addition, Moran encourages smiling because it involves muscles that lift the lower face, making one look younger. What is more important, according to her, is that smiling releases a slew of feel-good hormones that bolster both mood and immunity.
Moran also gives a view of the gunas, the three fundamental elements according to the Hindu Samkhya philosophy (not to be confused with the doshas). Each of them is necessary for life on earth, but healing and spiritual growth are described as sattvic: “Art, music, poetry, drama—creativity of all kinds, as well as the appreciation of other’s creativity—are divine in origin and sattvic in nature. So are kindness and charity, the way we bring heaven to earth.”
One way to increase the sattvic element in your body is to eat sattvic foods: those that are fresh, come from a nonviolent source, and are prepared with kindness.
Moran would like to see the end of ageism, stressing that no matter how old we get, we will always be ourselves. This means we’ll always be whole, valid, and worthy of respect.
Moran also encourages individuals to elevate themselves in order to change the world: “Smile and mean it. Make tea. Make conversation, Sweep up. Open a window. Play some music. Listen to someone. Scratch the cat’s ears. Rub the dog’s tummy. Want to change the world? You just did!”
Marilyn Johnston-Svoboda
Marilyn Johnston-Svoboda is a retired professor of nursing and Qualified Therapeutic Touch Teacher.