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A new yoga initiative aims to get more of us living in the Blue Zone, small pockets
of the world where residents are renowned for their long life expectancy
B
lue Zones are areas of the world where residents are
renowned for their longevity and vitality. Places where
people are known to live longer include Okinawa (Japan),
Sardinia (Italy) and Icaria (Greece), among others.
Now a yoga initiative in the USA – The Human Yoga
Project – hopes to encourage people to adopt similar healthier ways
in order to boost life expectancy and live with greater vibrancy.
Respected cardiologist Dr Subodh Agrawal first wants to bring
Blue Zone philosophies to Athens, Georgia where his Athens Heart
Centre is located.
“Our focus is to increase longevity and live a healthier more
connected lifestyle while reducing healthcare costs and improving
quality of life,” he said.
He has linked up with other yoga teachers and experts to launch
the new project.The Blue Zone
Practice starts with individuals bringing Blue Zone principles into
their homes first and then into their own workplace and community.
Agrawal offers free yoga classes to all his employees. He believes
that by bringing the yoga lifestyle to his staff, he can improve work
efficiency and bring mindfulness into their daily lives.
Future plans include training students on habits that connect Blue
Zone communities including a plant-based diet, a high level of social
engagement, family time and practicing daily meditation.
“The Human Yoga Project’s mission is to simplify the practice of
yoga, and to educate and mobilise our population through yoga,”
added Traci Jo Lee, a yoga expert and entrepreneur, who is also
working on the initiative. Other common characteristics of the
world’s Blue Zones include reduced stress, regular physical activity,
moderate calorie intake and having a sense of purpose.
And we think yoga is the perfect way to tie it all together!