Obsession with youth is not only the plague of modern society. In the 1930s, a retired British army officer stumbled upon a remote monastery in the Himalayas where the monks were rumored to have found the fountain of youth. Amazed by their age-defying health and energy, he attributed their vitality to a series of yoga-like postures they practiced daily – as had generations of monks for thousands of years. These Five Tibetan Rites are believed to work by stimulating and balancing energy centers in our bodies called chakras that correspond to each of our endocrine glands. "They're like electricity transformers, receiving and regulating energy and transmitting it throughout the body," explains Sydney-based Carolinda Witt, who's been teaching the rites for more than seven years.

Witt says practicing The Five Rites is like flicking these energy switches to ON. And they're easy to do. In fact, she's made modifications that focus on breathing and building core strength so you don't have to be a veteran yogini to get yourself, well, turned on. Plus, it's yoga, so you'll create a leaner, stronger body! Start with three repetitions of each posture daily and in order. Add two per week until you're doing 21 in about 10 minutes. When you finish each move, pause and take three energy breaths. The directions are below.

Rite #1: Spinning
Harmonizes chakra spin rates. Improves balance, focus and coordination.

Rite #2: Modified Leg Raise
Strengthens and tones the core, hips, lower back, legs and neck.

What if instead of having surgery to open up a clogged artery, your doctor told you it would be a better idea to log 30 minutes on the bike? According to findings presented at the European Congress of Cardiology 2009, cardio can actually be more effective than going under the knife. Plus, it's a lot more fun and costs a tad less, too.

If it seems too good to be true, honestly, there's no catch. "A moderate aerobic workout like biking or brisk walking for about a half hour a day or at least five days a week can train your heart to be healthier so you won't need a stent," says Dr. Christopher Cannon, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. A consistent exercise plan slows the heart rate and lowers blood pressure so your heart doesn't have to work as hard. "Therefore it can make do with a slightly reduced amount of blood from the blockage," says Cannon.

Cardiovascular risk gradually increases for everyone as we age, but the risk jumps sharply after menopause. "Although we don't know why for certain, it's likely estrogen acts as a protector against heart disease," Cannon says. "As estrogen levels decrease it leaves women more vulnerable." And here's a fact to ward off any thoughts you might be having resembling, 'this won't happen to me': The American Heart Association's latest figures show 1,314,000 angioplasties -- the procedure that inserts the stent -- were done in the United States in 2006.

Photo: mikebaird, Flickr

If your excuse for not engaging in sweat-dripping, pavement-pounding workouts is your worry about either getting or worsening your arthritis, you're in luck. A study with more than 1,200 participants found no link -- let's reiterate, that's zero, nada -- between osteoarthritis and exercise, even high-impact. And although obesity is an independent risk factor for the joint condition, physically active overweight participants fared just as well as their slim peers. The average age was in our Fit After 40 range, 53.

"What's particularly convincing about the study is they also took an MRI of each subject's knee. They discovered that those who performed the most vigorous weight-bearing exercise had the thickest, healthiest cartilage," says Dr. Harvey Simon, editor of the Harvard Men's Health Watch. What's more, these findings were consistent with another study published last year that found no connection between running and arthritis. In fact, running seemed to actually benefit joints.

In both studies, none of the members had arthritis to begin with. But other research shows that exercise at any level can even help those who already have it. "A lot of people don't exercise because they think their arthritis pain will be exacerbated but the opposite is true," says Dr. Patience White, chief public health officer for the Arthritis Foundation. So for those of you who are using your arthritis pain as an excuse not to move, listen up: "When physical activity is combined with a weight loss program, you can actually prevent arthritis pain and decrease the progression."

Photo: jupiterimages

It's easy to ignore what we can't see, like the bra-line bulge accumulating on our backs, for instance. Another reason we don't think about it much is that muffin tops get all the attention; they're front and center and directly affect whether or not we can get into our skinny jeans. But our upper backs are another spot that our slowing metabolism helps turns to pudge if we don't pay attention to it.

While you can't spot tone away fat (it's going to distribute itself wherever it damn well pleases), you can tighten up your muscles -- specifically your lats, rhomboids and traps -- and you will definitely see a difference. Here are a few moves that will do the trick, courtesy of Celeste McMillin, a personal trainer at WITH-U (Wellness in Total Health University) in Tustin, Calif. Do two sets of 12 to 15 reps a few days a week.

• Cobra: Lie face down on floor, arms at sides. Squeeze shoulder blades together, engage abs by pulling belly button toward spine and tighten butt. With chin tucked, lift chest off floor. Hold for 2 seconds. Lower and repeat.

Photo: Andrea Cross

While everyone knows 43-year-old Dara Torres is a five-time Olympian, here are two other amazing facts about her: On August 1, 2007, just 15 months after giving birth to her first child at age 40, Torres won the gold in the 100-meter freestyle at the U.S. Nationals. Then three days later, she twice broke her own American record in the 50-meter freestyle that she had originally set 26 years before. I caught up with her in the midst of her latest project, BP's Younger for Longer Challenge, to find out more about it and to learn how she stays in such stellar shape.

That's Fit: What was your impetus for this project?

Dara Torres: I've always maintained that age is just a number, and we should never put an age limit on our dreams. This is a contest that perpetuates that message. It reaches out to both men and women encouraging them to share their ideas in an essay about what keeps them young and healthy. (The winner wins $10,000 worth of BP gasoline with invigorate, a new formula designed to help keep cars running longer, and a one-on-one with Dara. Click here to enter.)

TF: What's the single most essential aspect of your life that you feel keeps you youthful?

DT: Fitness. It's always been a part of my life. My daughter's only 3, but I already have her taking gymnastics, dance and swimming classes. It doesn't have to be a purposeful workout, you just need to get out there and move, even if it's just a brisk daily walk. Exercise not only makes you feel younger, it relieves stress, and you automatically look better. It's a win-win.

Photo: Mike Baird, Flickr

About a month ago, while running from one end of the supermarket to the other in a mad rush, I tripped over my flip flop and went flying across three check-out aisles, hitting the concrete-hard floor. But because I do push-ups regularly, all I suffered was severe humiliation and a bruised knee.

When we fall forward, we typically reach out and our hands hit the ground first. If we're strong enough, our wrists and arms absorb much of the impact. Researchers who study the biomechanics of aging say push-ups are an effective way to strengthen your upper body so you can break a fall safely. If that's not enough incentive to get you into them, how's this: You'll also sculpt enviously sexy cocktail dress arms and shoulders. Ah, now I have your attention.

"The exercise is regarded as the ultimate measure of physical fitness for a reason: In order to lift your entire body weight, you need to engage almost every major muscle group - the arms, chest, abs, hips and legs," says Adam Feldman, a personal trainer in Nanuet, NY. So it's damn hard. But when you can drop and do 10 without a sweat, you'll feel a sense of pride you just don't get from doing a bicep curl. "We included a push-up in the Challenge this year and women felt strong and empowered when they were able to master it!" espouses Self's Fitness Director, Meaghan B. Murphy.

Photo: Laurel Fan/Flickr

During last week's yoga class, I took a side glance in the mirror during one downward dog. I was appalled at my reflection. Upside down, the skin on my thighs was all wrinkled! WOW, I thought. All that exercise can only go so far if my skin is sagging. As soon as class was over, I called Jae Berman, a registered dietitian at the San Francisco Bay Club, and I was so relieved when she said: "There are definitely anti-aging foods you can incorporate into an already healthy diet that can boost skin tone."

• Spinach has folate which speeds up cell renewal. Translation: It acts like an inner exfoliant. New, young cells make your skin look younger.
• Oranges, bell peppers and kiwi are loaded with Vitamin C, which boosts collagen production and smooths out wrinkles. Other vegetables and fruits include sweet potatoes, lemons and limes.
• Canned tuna's loaded with selenium, a mineral that preserves elastin, a protein that keeps skin smooth and tight. It's also an antioxidant that buffers against damaging UV rays.
• Walnuts, salmon and flax seed are brimming with omega-3 fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory properties which reduce puffiness.

Try this: Salmon, carrot, tomato spinach stir fry. Throw all the ingredients into a wok or sauté pan with your favorite spices and a teaspoon of olive oil. For more skin-firming recipes, contact Berman at jberman@sfbayclub.com.

Want to cook up another stir fry? Try tofu, spinach and okra for a light, skin-friendly meal.

Photo: frankjuarez, Flickr

I believe we have to deal with our age-related realities head on and this is definitely one of them: Once we hit 30, our lean muscle tissue, which acts as a calorie burner, decreases by about a pound a year if we're not active. And later on, according to obesity researcher Jennifer Lovejoy, the hormonal changes that come with menopause can slow our engines down by an additional 200 calories a day. But there's still a lot we can do to counter Mother Nature. Here's how to kick your metabolism into overdrive.

• Add high intensity interval training to your workout mix. Because HIIT's work bursts are performed at full throttle, it takes longer for your metabolism to return to its normal resting rate than other forms of fitness. This means that up to an entire day after you work out, you'll still be burning up to 15 percent more calories than if you hadn't exercised.
• Slow it down. Any weight training other than those featherweight dumbbells builds muscle, a major fat burner. But you can turbocharge that muscle repair and growth by slowing the pace of your reps while increasing the intensity. According to a study conducted at Wayne State University in Detroit, this can pump up your metabolism by 8 percent for as long as 72 hours after your session. Raise and lower to a three count and choose weights heavy enough that you struggle to maintain proper form for the last few reps, says New York City trainer Mike Monroe.

Photo: highlimitzz, Flickr

Now that summer is in full swing, most of us are looking to work less and play more. The only pitfall is that half days and long weekends can throw off our diet and fitness routines. The result: Our best stay-healthy efforts Monday through Friday get undone. In fact, a study involving 50 to 60-year-olds conducted at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Mo., found that their lifestyle changes on the weekends didn't just stall weight loss, in some cases, participants actually packed on more pounds. What a waste! "It's particularly important for people to find ways to keep up their exercise routines on the weekends and other down times - and even increase them if possible - to help counteract the inevitability of eating more," says study author Susan Rachette.

Scheduling day-off activities ahead of time, like a tennis game or group hike, will make it easier for you to peel yourself off the chaise and get going. Plus, you've gotten your friends or family involved, further reducing your potential to skip it.

How else to strike a balance between relaxation and activity? I asked Lindsey Coen-Fernandez, owner of RoughFit, an outdoor training company, for more stay-on-track strategies:

Photo: Marc Fernandez

You probably already know that working out with friends can boost your motivation. Now new research shows it may also affect your motor function -- learned movements that allow you to run, catch a ball and jump, among other physically active pursuits.

According to the study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, the more time you're engaged with others, the slower your motor skills will decline as you age.

That's not to say you should give up your "me" time. I run solo because it clears my head and allows me to sort out all manner of personal and professional snags. But I also value the esprit I get from my yoga class pals, so it's a plus to learn that my time with them will also help keep my strength and coordination from diminishing.

Check out these fitness sites for opportunities to boost your social connections, or do an online search for local activities like rowing, outdoor bootcamps or dance classes.

• YogaClassSearch
• PilatesStudioSearch
• Road Runners Club of America
• USA Cycling

Photo: loop_oh/Flick

Karen Nicholson, a 43-year-old original from Kansas City, has run a marathon in every state and four continents. Now she's taken on triathlons and so far, has competed in four. I asked her to give me her thoughts on the run.

"I view the run as the party of the tri experience because you know the end is in sight and the tough stuff is over. The swim is like cleaning your house before the party -- it has to be done and the quicker the better. The ride is hard work with some play thrown in because hey, who doesn't make the appetizers with a margarita or glass of wine in hand! And then the running -- woo hoo! Party time!"

Woo hoo is right. No one's kicking you in the water, no shifting of bike gears, just you and your running shoes doing a distance you've done hundreds of times previously. That's got to feel good. Here, your final tips from triathlon coach Jonathan Cane.

• Add a few "brick" workouts to your training plan. A brick is a run immediately following a ride. They'll get you accustomed to the jelly-legs feeling you'll have when you exit T2.
• Take off your helmet after you dismount your bike. Don't laugh. There's always someone who heads out for the run with a helmet on. Don't let it be you.