To quote George Bernard Shaw a second time, youth is wasted on the young. Of course, like all paradoxes this one can be shot full of holes, for who would really grudge young people their vitality and their joy of living! Yet it is also true that the young seldom fully savor the gifts with which the gods so liberally endow them. Some things they take too much for granted, others they cannot enjoy to the hilt because their emotions and mental capacities have not yet developed in depth.

Later on, after we have grown and learned, many of us wish for a second chance at youth, knowing we would live it more fully, find values we once never dreamed were there for the taking, develop potentials within ourselves we once let go to waste. If only we had it to do over again, we sigh nostalgically.

But it wouldn't work, if you stop to think about it. To get the most out of such a second chance we should have to be both young and old at once, wise before our time and per­ceptive as no untutored young mind—save possibly a genius— ever can be. And yet a second chance is possible through Yoga. The clock will not be turned back, nor would we really want it to be. Instead, at a time when our emotions have matured, our tastes fully formed and our wisdom (we hope) ripened, we may experience a kind of second youth by preventing the slowing-down and deterioration processes, and lengthening the span of our productive years.

A long life is not of itself necessarily a boon. Certainly it wouldn't be desirable if we were merely going to drag on, vegetating like withered apples, helpless and listless and full of infirmities, useless to ourselves and to others. But the old man or woman who retains a zest for living and knows how to relish each day's experiences, one who instead of mourning lost opportunities accepts the advantages of the present, is a rich and fortunate human being. Especially fortunate is the one who to the very end remains hale, vigorous, free of illness and pain and fears, and whose philosophy endows him with the serenity and dignity becoming to his years.

Nor is a serene old age our only goal. First there are the middle years which can and should be productive and satis­fying. Earlier in the book we discussed the restlessness and tensions which beset most of us Westerners, poisoning the emotional climate in which we live. But we have still another lurking enemy to cope with: from early middle age on, some­times even from early adulthood, we allow ourselves to be­come obsessed with the fear of growing old.

In this country especially, the cult of youth, perpetuated through the motion picture and TV screen, the advertising media, the glamour business, is so strong that men and women alike develop phobias about the onset of age. They watch anx­iously for the first gray hair, the first tell-tale wrinkle, consid­ering themselves has-beens the moment the bloom of first youth is gone. They actually speed deterioration by becoming resigned to it. Men in their thirties accept potbellies, women sagging bodies after childbirth. From there it is only one logi­cal step to defeat via such degenerative diseases as arthritis, heart ailments and arteriosclerosis, and all because of the fatal­istic assumption that whatever is wrong just has to be. Most depressing of all is the added conviction that sexual potency must inevitably diminish and desire wane as women approach the menopause and men the climacteric. In fact, a good many people positively invite old age through their attitudes.

None of this is really in the cards.

Man—and woman too of course—is only as old as his en­docrine glands. Keep these in top order and the advancing years need not be a menace. Your arteries, your joints, your circulatory system will continue to serve you well. This doesn't mean you will not grow old at all. Of course you will! But the aging process will proceed a great deal more slowly than you believe is possible and as a result you will feel no reluctance at progressing from one stage of life to the next, for you will be entirely ready for it.

Each age has its own appeal and also its drawbacks. Each is an experience you would not want to miss. Thus childhood and youth have special charms, but their grace is counter­balanced by inexperience and emotional turmoil. As we grow older we acquire understanding, tolerance, appreciation and self-confidence. We also become more self-sufficient, gain in judgment, financial stability and greater freedom of action and of choice. On the other hand we carry a heavier load of re­sponsibility. Others begin to expect more of us. It is no longer enough to be as the lilies of the field.

If you were granted your wish by a fairy godmother, would you really choose always to remain eighteen? Of course not. The very idea would bore you. People who are honest with themselves often say they wouldn't go through their youth again for anything in the world. Once was enough! The grow­ing pains had been just too painful. But if the good fairy offered you the boon of always functioning at the peak of your potential, that would be something else again. To think­ing people, that is the only kind of eternal youth worth both­ering about. And that is what Yoga offers.
If you traveled in India, you would quickly see that the Yogis in general have found the secret of the magic fountain. Not only do they live much longer than ordinary people— but they age differently. Over the decades their skins retain a smooth unlined look and their hair remains black. Their eyes are clear and their bodies supple. At eighty they look forty, for neither their minds nor their physique show impairment. Still later they may grow thin to the point of emaciation, but mentally they retain their full powers until they are ready to depart this life.

By now you can appreciate how much of this is due to the Yogi's philosophical and spiritual orientation and also to his ability to relax at will. Through relaxation he can attain the lengthening of his life span exactly as animals do—something we discussed in detail in Chapter VI. He doesn't wear himself down, he contributes nothing in self-destruction. Regular periods of meditation, on the other hand, have taught him a detachment, a preoccupation with spiritual matters on the highest level, an indifference to his surroundings, which bring inner peace and are like a shield against the encroachments of the physical world.

He has also learned over the years how to move, stand, sit, even lie down in a way to conserve every ounce of energy possible. He has conquered hate, rancor, petty annoyance and irritation. The whole arsenal of destructive emotions have long ceased to threaten him. Instead, he feels good will and love for his fellow-creatures, and these positive forces work for him.

In addition to this training of the spiritual self, the Yogi has the benefit of years of asanas, which he does every day. Here you have the prime and simple physical answer. Here is where all of us who would benefit from Yoga wisdom must begin. In fact, it is to be hoped that you've begun some time back—that as you have progressed through this book you have got into the habit of doing your Deep Relaxation and Dynamic Breathing exercises and that you take time for a period of Meditation each day in the as ana or mudra of your choice.

In one of the earlier chapters we briefly discussed the over­all functioning of the endocrines and their bearing upon the various body processes. Since it is they that make us who we are and what we are, it is imperative to understand the role of each gland in order to safeguard their long-lasting working order. Armed with this knowledge, you will be able to orient yourself better in choosing exactly the as anis you need to keep yourself healthy and young.

The pituitary gland, at the base of the brain, secretes a num­ber of hormones, some of which regulate body functions di­rectly, while others affect the proper behavior of the other ductless glands. It is therefore generally considered the master gland of the body. It keeps you from becoming lazy, fat and sluggish. It regulates sugar utilization, the production of milk and the utilization of sugar, and an under active pituitary re­sults in diabetes. It also controls the inner mobility of the sys­tem and sexual development. Indirectly it controls our sexual behavior, largely through the influence it has on the gonads (see Chapter XIII on Sex). It is also largely responsible for our emotional well-being, and pituitary disturbance may even lead to personality changes.

The pineal gland, in the middle of the skull, is the body or­ganizer or, if you will, its harmonizer. Pineal disturbance in children may cause premature development of the sex glands and of the entire system. In many ways, the pineal keeps an inner balance between the other endocrine glands after the pi­tuitary has stimulated them into functioning. In the East, it is considered the seat of the sixth sense.

The thyroid, at the base of the neck, produces the hormone called thyroxin which increases the oxidation of the body above basal level. The thyroid is responsible for our basal metabolism rate. Thyroxin deficiency will make a person sluggish and fat, and if the deficiency is serious, enough will result in cretinism, one of the most serious forms of mental deficiencies. An overactive thyroid, on the other hand, will make you thin, jumpy, nervous and tense and will increase your pulse rate. Temporary thyroid imbalances are common among women as they approach and go into menopause: sometimes this accounts for their becoming puffy (the body may not be eliminating sufficient water), for loss of hair, and dull listlessness. These symptoms are believed to be due to emotional disturbances associated with change of life, and are generally treated with gland extracts. The rate of activity of the thyroid is what makes the difference between your be­ing alert or dull, quick or slow, vivacious or apathetic, listless or mentally keen.

The parathyroid, neighbor to the thyroid, controls the dis­tribution of calcium and phosphorus in the system, which means the physical health of the nerves and of the bones. There can be no metabolic equilibrium without this gland; but its normal functioning insures poise and tranquility.

The thymus, which controls growth, is especially impor­tant in childhood and adolescence, since its secretions determine the proper development of the skeleton and the entire body structure. The seven-foot circus giant and the midget are both victims of thymus malfunction, which is sometimes a hereditary factor. Normally the thymus diminishes in size and importance as we reach puberty.

The Isles of Langerhans, in the pancreas, are the source of the hormone known as insulin, without which we do not uti­lize sugar properly; their improper functioning results in dia­betes. Again, this lack may sometimes be brought about by severe mental and emotional strain, including the fears and despondency of change of life.

The adrenal glands, directly above the kidneys, control the proper flow, oxygenation and life-giving properties of blood. Properly stimulated, they supply us with adrenalin, which can drive us to action, give us courage, sharpen our perception, keep us going on "sheer nerves" when necessary. Over-stimulated, as under the stress of fear, anger or some other vi­olent emotion, these glands will pump adrenalin into our sys­tem and cause distressing manifestations. The heart suddenly pumping too fast, the sweat, the nausea caused by anxiety are all the result of adrenalin improperly directed. In a sense the adrenals are our most primitive glands. They have never learned that civilized man cannot rid himself of emotional reaction by going into simple physical action. They continue preparing us for battle, for roaring fury or flight when con­vention requires us to stand still, speak softly and duel exclu­sively with words. They make us pay dearly for any self-confidence that is only superficial. You cannot fool the adrenal glands, but you can make good friends with them through Yoga.

The last pair of endocrines are the gonads—the ovaries in woman, the testes in man. Since we have already discussed them in detail in the chapter on sex, we needn't repeat. How­ever, it must be added that their functioning is not purely a sex­ual one. The gonads have an effect on the whole personality. Sparkling eyes, a smooth, luminous skin, the warmth which some individuals emanate that makes them universally attrac­tive, these are all determined by the sex glands. Conversely, the inflexibility of prematurely aging persons, the inability to es­tablish rapport with other human beings that characterizes cold, sexless individuals and narcissistic ones, sometimes also homosexuality, are the direct results of sex hormone disturb­ances and deficiencies. Yet they may have nothing whatever to do with sexuality in the accepted sense.

Now that you understand the division of labor of the vari­ous glands in your body, you can readily see how important it is to safeguard their health and efficiency. Yoga exercises, be­ginning with deep breathing and relaxation and going on to correct stimulation of the various glandular areas, may be called the cornerstone of a program for long life and health.

Now go back to Chapter XI and read over the lists of therapeutic benefits derived from the twenty-odd asanas de­scribed there. You will find that some stress circulation, some strengthen the back or pelvic region, some are recommended to overcome respiratory difficulties or sluggish digestion and elimination, and still others simply benefit one or another set of ductless glands. Depending on the time you can devote to your Yoga practice and also the condition of your body when you begin, work out a routine which will include some exercise for every organ and set of glands. Begin with the simplest and easiest; do not strain or tire yourself unduly; but make certain that your whole body is being systematically toned up. In this way you will be doing preventive therapy rather than waiting for signs of trouble which must then be cured.

If you could only do a single asana a day, the Headstand, provided you can master it, is doubtless the most valuable for keeping your whole system in shape. Next would be the Shoul­der Stand and the Reverse Pose, done in conjunction with deep breathing. Their benefits, as you now know, are derived from the way the flow of blood to the head feeds and stimulates the pituitary which in turn stimulates the other glands. No amount of life insurance can offer you the insurance against deterioration and old age these asanas will provide. Their reg­ular practice will endow you with the look of youth and the feel of youth without your ever again having to "run after" youth in undignified and unbecoming fashion.

To keep your spine straight and Umber and promote good elimination, try the Camel Pose, and later the Spine and Fish Poses. You will notice that these also keep the pelvic region young and strong. The Cobra Pose combined with the Pos­terior Stretch makes for rejuvenation of the entire body, stim­ulating most of the vital organs. The Plough Posture is in­surance against arthritis. Whichever asanas you choose, remember that in order to benefit from the very start, it is wise to work out a program that is realistic for you and relatively easy to execute. You are not trying to win prizes for achieve­ment, or even for effort. All you want is results. Later on, as you continue to practice you will become more adventurous and start experimenting with more difficult asanas. By then your body will have become much more responsive and you will never want to go back to your old habits of inactivity. But do not try to rush results. And remember never to neglect relaxation poses; the Savasana and either the Lotus Pose or the Simple Pose are a must for you along with the more arduous exercises.

There is one final ingredient which asanas alone will never supply. Done merely as exercises, no matter how accurately and faithfully, they would remain a glorified "daily dozen" unless your mind and your spirit were fully involved. The will to change, to grow instead of ossifying, to give of yourself and to make yourself wide-open to new experiences—these too are part of the secret of eternal youth. So also is the will to live. Just as doctors agree that such a will is often the single pre­cious factor making the difference between saving a patient and losing him, so also we cannot get along without it in our day-by-day existence. Think young and you will remain young. Think old and your joints will creak in answer.

How else can you influence your own longevity? This en­tire book is really an answer to that question. If you have fol­lowed it carefully, you know by now the secrets of the trinity of mind, body and spirit which can make you over into a pow­erhouse of creative vitality. You know how mind influences matter while matter, in this case your nerves and muscles and blood vessels and secretions, influences mind. You know what happens when these forces work harmoniously and also the consequences of their being divided against each other.

There are a few simple rules which the Yogis follow and which might be mentioned here: Freedom being the recog­nition of necessity, it is wise to recognize that as we grow older we must husband our resources. We can no longer drive our­selves like youngsters and will do well to avoid fatigue and any unnecessary expenditure of energy. We need rest and sleep. On the other hand cutting down on food is advisable after the age of thirty-five. Leanness and longevity go together, as the Yogis have known for centuries and as our nutrition experts now frequently remind us.

Since it is generally agreed that senility is due to thyroid degeneration, inasmuch as in old age the thyroid normally shrinks bringing about retrogressive changes in the epithel­ial cells, you already know how you may avoid this process. For the rest, treat old age as a challenge. Resist it by resisting monotony, which first stultifies and finally destroys.

Very shortly after you begin your daily practice of Yoga you will find changes taking place in all your attitudes. First you will experience the physical differences: that habitual feeling of fatigue so common among us high-tension Western people will vanish. So will a score of nameless fears that bear the psychoanalytical label of anxieties. Your adrenals will no longer work overtime to tear your body apart with conflicting sub-surface primitive impulses that have nowhere to go. You will see the world, and yourself in relation to it, in proper perspective.

Next your sense of values will change and you will no longer be willing to knock yourself out for unimportant re­wards—no longer "will you be trading your birthright for a mess of pottage. So your mind and your body, no longer at loggerheads, will stop that senseless war of attrition which can only end in the stalemate of destruction—an early grave. It takes a lifetime to learn the true art of living. But having learned it, you will give yourself a chance to enjoy the lasting fruits of this long and complex process.

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