We Are Dying Younger!
Alen Voskanian, MD, MBA, FAAHPM, FACHE
Chief Operating Officer & Vice President at Cedars-Sinai Medical Network | MD, MBA, FACHE | LinkedIn Top Voice | Author | Keynote Speaker | Passionate About Leadership, Empathy & Transforming Healthcare
The headline news about “the falling U.S. life expectancy for the second straight year” caught my attention earlier this week.???According to a new government report, life expectancy in the United States fell to 76 years and 1 month in 2021. It was 78 years and 10 months in 2019.?
This news made me wonder why and how some people beat the odds and thrive into their 90s.??
I immediately thought about my 90-year-old yoga teacher, Raghavan, whom I had bumped into a few days earlier after not seeing him for over twenty years!???
I first met him during my internship @UCLA when I signed up for a yoga class at my small local gym. I was looking for a class to help me get some physical activity, help with the stresses of being a physician, and fit into my busy schedule.????
Raghavan was teaching a class at 7 pm on Fridays, and that time worked for me. His class was physically challenging and brought me much-needed peace and joy. Raghavan was in his 70s at that time. I was impressed by his flexibility and zest for life.???I immediately enrolled when I heard he offered a yoga teacher training course. I wanted to learn his secret to living a happy and healthy life.
Shortly after completing his training and becoming a certified yoga instructor, I lost touch with my teacher without learning about his secret. I was busy completing a fellowship and then starting my own medical practice.??
I continued practicing yoga at various fancy studios with yoga teachers who had obtained “celebrity status.”??Some of these yoga studios have since closed, and the teachers never appeared at peace or as happy as Raghavan.
I often wondered why Raghavan decided to teach at a small local gym instead of a fancy studio. I finally found my answer when I ran into him earlier this week.
Raghavan looked like he had not changed at all. Twenty years later, he still teaches the same class on Friday nights. He greeted me with his usual smile.
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I asked him, “Raghavan, how are you?”
He replied, “Great. I feel blessed, my son. I am now 90. Can you believe it?”
He continues exercising, eating a healthy diet, walking, and teaching. Also, he is content with teaching his usual Friday class at the small local gym.??
It reminded me, “No person has the power to have everything they want, but it is in their power not to want what they don’t have, and to cheerfully put to good use what they do have” (Seneca, Moral Letters).??
Before leaving, I asked Raghavan to take a picture together. He agreed.?
In return, he asked me to attend his Friday afternoon class. I agreed.
I explore this topic in my upcoming book. Please let me know below why you think some people thrive and live healthy lives as they get older.??
Family Nurse Practitioner, committed to quality, evidence-based care for all.
2 年Lifestyle, diet, controlling stress and having a spiritual balance
Program Coordinator: Reiki, Reiki Educator and Massage Therapist at University Hospitals of Cleveland Connor Whole Health
2 年Welcome! I also have a poem about being on the journey with others, but with the intention of receiving as you give. The Vessel I am a vessel Multicolored hues Soft edges Straight and curved Precious metal, air, water, fire, wood Fluid and tender Empathy in motion Purple and white in spirit Indigo’s intuitive being The voice of ethereal blue Heart light’s pink and green glow Sunshine’s yellow creative force Creation’s orange starburst The black and red roots of life Fill I As I pour forth Intention for my healing As I journey with others on the path A conduit A witness A being Honored to journey with you Honored to journey with me Honored in connection to the healing force Blessings lead to more blessings Never drained Empty no more Infinity and abundance I am the vessel Creative force continue to fill me Evermore Namaste Bowing to the divine in you and the divine in me V-Venerable E-Ethereal S-Selfless S-Spirit E-Enlightenment L-Loving Kindness Kae 01.11.2020 to 01.12.2020
Program Coordinator: Reiki, Reiki Educator and Massage Therapist at University Hospitals of Cleveland Connor Whole Health
2 年Agreed that longevity is multifactorial. Here are some of my thoughts and actions that enhance the quality of my life and I share these with those whom I met on the path and in the classes I present. BE-ing mindful BE-ing Kind and sharing kind acts, making someone’s day Community and engagement Heart centered unconditional love to self, so this can pour forth to others Expressive arts and creativity Exepriencing the spectrum of emotions and allowing positivity to fill the spaces we create, once we express the emotions Living your purpose and being a mentor and role model for others Experiencing fun and finding your passions and Why Balancing Do-ing and Be-ing BE-ing a life-long learner Choosing your attitude Inviting yourself to receive as you give, especially in the heath care arena- with the intention that you will be resilient and never deplete Putting your self-care first, so you are thriving as you care for others And the list goes on and will evolve through the years, months, weeks, days, hours, and seconds…
Director, Head of US Medical Affairs
2 年Alen, thanks for sharing this story. My yoga start was random, but I have been into this because of Raghavan. He was a random teacher in a small Brentwood studio where I decided to check what yoga is about. He is amazing (and 76 at that time). He changed my life and attitude with his approach to life and healthy living. The studio closed, and I have not seen him since. But I will look for a Friday night class now.