My parents are aging, what can I do?
Q: My parents are aging, what Yoga and Ayurveda can they do while I'm visiting?
A: There's a lot that you can do, but keep it simple. I did Yoga and Ayurveda with my mother many times before she passed away. This was the greatest gift and opportunity to serve at a higher level. I have recommended this to countless students with aging parents to TOUCH !!
The importance of touch is such an important way to communicate your love, you don't need to change your parents, just offer to oil their feet and hands with Vata oil. This will reduce help reduce their Vata disturbance in their Vata stage of life. It is great for painful joints and ligaments, skin thinning and discoloration (blue / black), and helps circulation for mobility and balance. Plus unconditional LOVE.
Only for 5 minutes though, it doesn't need to be a big production. Make sure that you have paper towels close by to wipe their feet and hands when you've finished, and a pair of disposable slippers for them to walk in. Nothing worse than walking oil through their nicely shampooed carpet, they will hate you and Ayurveda, so always screw the lid back on the bottle and clean up.
This is a guaranteed winner if you can do the oil treatment at the same time daily, twice a day is better. Create a ritual so that you'll enjoy the opportunity to serve your parents and they'll enjoy the routine that you have all committed to. Soon they will be comfortable for you to oil their lower legs and arms as well, but start just with the hands and feet ! This was the greatest gift of service and love that I could share with my mother and it was an unspoken mutual feeling.
Next, make them an 'agni tea' every morning before breakfast and warm up their bellies !!
Suggest before you leave that someone else can continue with this ritual of oiling the feet and hands, and drinking their 'agni tea'. Leave some oil and tea only on the agreement that they will continue, let them know that these products come all the way from India and are made by our doctor. That will give extra importance to what you are sharing and what they are receiving.
I can't tell you how many positive results that many of our clients have had from doing this simple Ayurveda and Yoga ritual. They are often astounded that it does as much for them as it does for their parents. They return feeling very fulfilled and happy with this experience.