Dear Friends,

Happy September! Where did summer go? It sort of got washed away with all the rain, I think. Did you know…According to Weather.gov, the Mobile area’s annual rainfall to date is around 38 inches but still remains in deficit off the normal annual accumulation by about 3 inches? Yikes.

So, there you have it, more rain is probably coming. Whatever the weather, it’s a great time to dive into your copy of this special Inspired Living issue. From healthy longevity strategies to aging gracefully with yoga, you’ll find many tantalizing topics. For example, today researchers say there has never been a better time in history to maximize our potential for metabolic renewal. By better understanding biological age, the state of our health at the cellular levels, researchers are fine-tuning dietary, sleep, relaxation and exercise requirements that turn back the clock. Very exciting stuff!

In honor of Yoga Month, you’ll hear from the world’s oldest (101 years) yoga teacher when you read Aging Gracefully: How a Yoga Practice Keeps Us Young. This excerpt from the article really spoke to me about navigating aging, “Whether it involves getting down on a mat or practicing modified poses with the use of a chair, yoga helps us stay nimble, manage stress, reduce symptoms of depression and tame high blood pressure. It helps build the essential physical skills for navigating aging…” We can do this!

I am really proud of our Yoga Month, Inspired Living issue. The local articles and advertisers teach so much about the healthy living options available right here on the Gulf Coast. It includes places to eat healthy in our Healthy Eats Guide, Masters of Yoga, integrative health and wellness practices, future-oriented churches that are open to everyone and even at-home pet care. What a wonderful array of wellness opportunities for all of us.

I hope you will take advantage of the many opportunities outlined here in Natural Awakenings to help you live well, improve your health, relax, breathe and heal. Thank you for your support of our Gulf Coast magazine all about Healthy Living on a Healthy Planet. I really enjoy bringing good news to good people!

God bless and keep you,

Michelle Smith, Publisher