Over the past month and a half, VisionTV viewers have witnessed a unique and thought-provoking look into the science and rituals surrounding aging, as Taking Back the Years has charted two disparate paths to longevity. Examining different approaches favoured by eastern medicine and western science, producer (and subject) Hilary Pryor invites audiences along on a two-pronged journey into the processes that contribute to aging, and the modern and ancient practices we employ to stave it off.

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JOIN IN A LIVE TWEET-UP FOR THE FINAL EPISODE OF TAKING BACK THE YEARS

Have some questions of your own? Taking Back The Years’ Producer/Director and participant, Hilary Pryor, will be hosting a live online Q&A session on Twitter during our broadcast of the final episode of Taking Back The Years, Monday, March 10 at 10pm ET/7pm PT. Follow Taking Back The Years on Twitter and tweet questions to @TakingBackYears.

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From standard modifications of diet and exercise, to intense mental and spiritual renewal, Pryor goes to experts and practitioners from across the globe to find out why some say we can expect to enjoy significantly longer life spans in just 25 years. However, though Pryor says that improvement to quality of life as we age is certainly comforting, she is reluctant to support the concept of potential immortality. VisionTV caught up with Pryor following her experience, to get an idea of how it changed her perspective on aging, and why so many people are determined to fight it.

“As far as wanting to live forever, that I don’t know at all,” she says. “For myself, there’s something about life being finite that makes it so precious.”

That seems to be a sentiment shared by many of the figures, on either end of the health and wellness spectrum. Despite the scientific possibility of increased life spans, many of those weighing in are more concerned by the way the live, rather than how long they do so. Taking Back the Years also broaches the subject of the cultural and economic implications of a longer-living global population – an issue not lost on the documentary’s numerous experts and interviewees.

“You could probably get old pretty quickly trying to follow it all,” Pryor says of the many treatments and methods available to help delay aging. She knows first hand that cutting through the various treatments, procedures and regimens is a difficult process, which is why the Taking Back the Years website aims to help viewers assess their needs and begin their own 90-day journeys to improved health. In many ways, the key to success in that undertaking is a balance between holistic and scientific approaches to health.

“I didn’t come across any magic wand or fantastic pill that’s going to solve it all for us,” she says. “Take baby steps, don’t be put off, and gradually increase.”

Despite the elusive nature of a supposed fountain of youth, Pryor maintains that there’s plenty that we can do to make the most of the years of our lives, regardless of how many we have left. The most important thing, she says, is the ability to value and embrace the present, rather than agonizing over what the future, and aging, may bring.

“Enjoy today,” she says, “and then there will be lots of tomorrows.”

WATCH OUR FULL CANDID CHAT WITH TAKING BACK THE YEARS PRODUCER/DIRECTOR AND PARTICIPANT HILARY PRYOR

Maintaining an active lifestyle and a sense of purpose are believed to promote longevity.[/caption]

“You could probably get old pretty quickly trying to follow it all,” Pryor says of the many treatments and methods available to help delay aging. She knows first hand that cutting through the various treatments, procedures and regimens is a difficult process, which is why the Taking Back the Years website aims to help viewers assess their needs and begin their own 90-day journeys to improved health. In many ways, the key to success in that undertaking is a balance between holistic and scientific approaches to health.

“I didn’t come across any magic wand or fantastic pill that’s going to solve it all for us,” she says. “Take baby steps, don’t be put off, and gradually increase.”

Despite the elusive nature of a supposed fountain of youth, Pryor maintains that there’s plenty that we can do to make the most of the years of our lives, regardless of how many we have left. The most important thing, she says, is the ability to value and embrace the present, rather than agonizing over what the future, and aging, may bring.

“Enjoy today,” she says, “and then there will be lots of tomorrows.”

WATCH OUR FULL CANDID CHAT WITH TAKING BACK THE YEARS PRODUCER/DIRECTOR AND PARTICIPANT HILARY PRYOR

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