Since 1978, at 9 a.m. on M-W-F morning, I've led a group of women through a series of movements designed to improve cardiovascular conditioning, physical strength, flexibility, balance and coordination. In the early years of the class the majority of us were in our thirties and forties in the company of a few active elders (in those days, active elders were in their fifties and sixties). Many of the women who signed up in those early years are still with me, and. as slots opened in the room that holds 30 people comfortably, others have rotated in. Currently the class ranges in age from a 30 year old substitute teacher to our eldest active, Nancy, who turned 80 last week. Nancy still leads hikes and skiing trips and though adult-onset diabetes has slowed her slightly, she remains fit, young at heart, and a tribute to an active lifestyle.

This week we gathered at my home after class to celebrate several events, including Nancy's birthday. The discussion turned to lifestyle, aging, and issues about women's health. A theme that emerges often when we gather was that we knew people in their forties and fifties who were old and others in their sixties, seventies and, sometimes, eighties who, like Nancy, seemed young. We discussed the pros and cons of cosmetic surgery and our individual efforts to pursue a life and habits that keep us "young."

The conversation was a fit with a series of workshops I'll deliver this week for a Speaking of Women's Health Foundation conference in Cincinnati, O. It explores the physical and psychological issues of aging and will overview some of the more than 100,000 anti-aging related research projects under way that are guaranteed to give aging a radical face-life, hip replacement, hormone injection and organ transplant to fulfill the desire of those of us who want to live our lengthening lifestyles to the fullest.

When my grandparents died in their fifties and sixties I distinctly remember them being described as "old." It's no longer true. The spiritualists have won. Aging is a state of mind and it will never be the same.

Here are just a few of the industries emerging to change the face of aging:

• Pharmaceuticals--witness that Viagra® accounted for 94% of all new prescriptions written in the US three weeks after it was introduced. Lipitor® lowers cholesterol, Aricept® boosts memory, eliminates the pain of arthritis, Detrol® halts urinary incontinence, Rogain® and Propecia® foster hair growth, Meridia® promotes weight loss, Fosamex® and the forthcoming Actonel® replace bone mass. This is just a start and doesn't address the growing interest in herbal products.
• Nutraceuticals including appetizing drinks, meals, snacks and supplements engineered with macro- and micro-nutrients to fight aging and safely promote energy, relaxation, sexuality, mental alertness, endurance, recuperation and wellness,
• Customized youth extending hormone therapeutics that will retard the aging process,
• Brain enhancement herbs, vitamins, drugs, acupuncture, visual stimulation, software downloads, and mind exercises to prevent dementia, promote better memory and stimulate higher intelligence,
• Bio implants that will continually monitor biomarkers and deliver anti-aging nutrients and hormones on an as-needed basis,
• Anti aging spas that offer intensive revitalization programs to reduce stress and give our muscles and nerves a tune-up
• High tech exercise gear and equipment programmed to precisely "train" our bodies to remain stronger, healthier and more youthful bodies.
• Cosmeceuticals including rejuvenation therapies for men and women made from pharmaceuticals, herbs, botanicals, minerals and vitamins to keep the skin and hair youthful longer,
• Surgery that delivers replacement parts for worn joints and, in the case of cosmetic surgery, delivers procedures that turn back time and erase the ravages of life events that etch our faces and bodies with feature that are confusing because they don't match our minds.

Wow! we can't wait!!