As you proceed through the book, you will see that BEST focuses primarily on exercises related to numbers three and four above. This is due to the specific brain-enhancing features of these exercises. However, you should still seek out aerobic and resistance training for the overall health of the body and brain. Jangsaeng Walking, detailed on page 179 of the appendix, is a good general conditioning exercise rooted in the principles of Dahn Yoga Exercise has many benefits for us as we age, but they are not only benefits to muscles, joints, bones, and the waistline. Regular physical activity can improve brain function, attitude, self-image, self-esteem, and confidence. You’ve heard of the “runner’s high”? Well, it’s no myth. When you exercise, you stimulate the release of biochemicals such as endorphins, nor-epinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin, which produce feelings of joy and peace. Healthy exercise feels great.

In general, no matter who you are, you will experience positive effects from regular exercise. These can include stronger bones, which can ward off osteoporosis; an increased range of joint motion; increased strength and the ability to perform physical work; lower blood pressure; better blood sugar balance, which can prevent or reverse diabetes; improved sleep; and possibly even an improved sex drive. Iclhi Lee says that there is a subculture of people who rely on injections of human growth hormone, or HGH, to achieve some of these benefits. HGH occurs naturally in the body but decreases starting in your twenties and throughout the rest of your life; its reduction is thought to be a major cause of the loss of muscle mass, slower metabolism, and lowered sex drive in older adults. But HGH is extremely expensive, costing tens of thousands of dollars per year, and it can have serious side effects. Still, it fits many people’s desire to find a quick fix for the effects of aging. Needless to say, we think exercise is a far wiser and healthier choice for people seeking to be physically and mentally fit in later life.