Cyprus Finest (Issue 3, 2018) Cyprus Finest (issue 3, 2018) | Page 17

B ut it is not so much about living forev- er, as it is about staying youthful. No- body will want to live forever if they won’t be able to enjoy it, or if it means watching on from a home for the old. Youth is not the age or the looks in particular, it is an energy, a feeling from within, and that is what those who seek spirituality have learned, and it is working wonders for them, so why not you? In very general terms, spirituality is the quest to find the meaning of our lives, by connecting to something beyond ourselves. It is NOT the worship of a god, deity, or a religion, it is simply deep introspection to find true purpose. Where that search takes you, is personal and entirely up to you. From simple exercises to following diets or certain principles, to subscribing to a school of thought, man’s search for answers, truth, purpose, and inner peace has crossed most certainly every human mind, and on each person’s journey, there are consequences, ben- efits, and results. One of such benefits is youth- fulness, and so we decided to take a closer look at some of the most simple spiritual paths that have been known to spur youthfulness. MEDITATION This simplistic exercise is much more than just sitting down eyes closed and your legs folded. Meditation has been used for over a century by monks and spiritual practitioners to concen- trate, control, and direct their energy and mind. The main aim of meditation is to sharpen the mind and generate focus, but meditation is also known to reduce anxiety, helps self-awareness, sharpen attention and memory, and largely re- duce stress. Stress, anxiety, increased blood pressure, are just a few of the things that speed up ageing, and also happen to be a few of the things which meditation has a direct impact on, in as little as eight weeks. Beyond the effect on stress and anxiety, medita- tion greatly improves cognitive abilities and brain function. Based on research by professors at Harvard Medical School, meditation has a posi- tive effect on the healthy cellular ageing and the replenishment of gray matter around the brain. Gray matter is what carries brain cells, and dendrites, that are responsible for the thinking. Meditation actually slows down the degradation of gray matter, therefore slowing down ageing, while keeping our brain functioning as it should. This is only one example out of a multitude of research and scientific evidence that backs up the huge role of meditation in staying youth- ful and sharp. Meditation is fairly simple and requires nothing in particular to begin, just you and somewhere to sit. You can get guides and videos from YouTube or around the web to get you started or subscribe to the teaching and methods of priests and monks. YOGA Yoga has become a global phenomenon and a staple of so many lives, from the poor, middle- class, to the celebrities and famous, for the very simple reason that IT WORKS! Think balance, strength, agility, flexibility, breath, these are the major things that we lose as we age, as the firmness of youth leaves our bodies, BUT what if you could reverse all that without spending money on supplements, or whatever else is on the market these days? ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS YOGA. Originating from India, yoga encompasses physi- cal, mental, and spiritual practices that all serve to liberate the mind and body. Yoga even has meditation as one of its exercises. Though yoga has grown in the Western world as mostly a physical exercise, it is much more than that and has positively deep psychologi- cal, emotional, and mental effects. Some of the exercises that are used In body workouts today, such as the plank, cobra pose, warrior pose, originated from yoga. Train the mind, and the body will follow. WHERE IS EDGE BOUTIQUE LOCATED? ? ? ? ? One Lucky lady will win: Amazing 5 Twinset Milano Bag Total Christmas Makeover will be awarded to the first 7 women to enter the draw! It will include clothing, hair do, and make-up by House of Avant Garde FB: /edgeboutiquecy TERMS AND CONDITIONS: • The price cannot be redeemed or exchanged for cash or any other consideration RULES FOR THE COMPETITION: • Correct answer to the question must be given • Only one contest entry per per- son, multiple entries by the same person will not be considered • The name of the winner to be published in next edition of Cyprus Finest Magazine (March 2019) • The contact details of contest par- ticipants will be used for further promotions The lucky draw will be held at the Edge boutique on 14 December at 19:00 Entry could be made by email: [email protected] Phone or WhatsApp: [phone] Via FB/MacsMarketing Deadline for Entry: 10 December 2018 © The titles, idea and all materials herein are protected by The Trade Marks Law, Chapter 268 of the Laws of Cyprus as a Patent Law for Intellectual Property. No whole or part of this Quiz/Competition may be reproduced in any form whatsoever without publisher’s permission. Copy any forms of this materials will resolve in Court judgement and heavy compensation. 17