Lean with Leeta: City Life

I had the good fortune of attending a wonderful lecture on health awareness and listened to a very learned ayurveda doctor. He likened our physical body to a city. An interesting comparison, just picture the myriad of transport systems, government groups, organizations, regulating bodies that all must work together in order to run that city for it to function optimally. We have all experienced the problems when one of our city’s systems is not working properly and it ultimately affects the whole city. For instance if our garbage transport system goes on strike, we may not witness the devastating results right away. In fact depending on the time of year we may not be affected for weeks however once it reaches critical overload then it becomes a crisis! Similarly in our body the dysfunction may not be immediately apparent, maybe we just aren’t sleeping well or that cold/flu bug persists.

This doctor warned that although we may be disease free and there are no apparent symptoms this does not automatically indicate that we are in good health. Absence of disease is not a reliable definition of good health. The time to take care is now, prevention is surely more logical than waiting until you can feel the breakdown. To simply be functioning without actively following a healthy lifestyle is just not a good bet. We shouldn’t wait until there is a crisis, that could be too late. Our city would not be very stable if it only reacted once there was a crisis. And like in the best run cities, the systems, organizations and groups proactively work together to prevent malfunctions from happening.

If we truly want to live a life filled with vitality then we do need to obey the rules of the body and give it what it needs. Our systems require the right amounts of activity, rest, fresh air, clean water, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants in order to maintain a healthy high functioning body. We also know what we should avoid don’t we. What do you want your body to be able to do for you during your lifetime? Wouldn’t it be ideal to ensure that you get the most out of your time on this earth. Ayurveda, by the way, in Sanskrit translates to “the complete knowledge for long life”. Live long and prosper!