Yoga: How to Stay Fit, Healthy & Happy
We all have excuses for not incorporating movement into our lives. We don’t have time. We’re too tired. It’s inconvenient. We don’t like it. We’re not good at it. The excuses can be endless. But the fact is, exercise is essential for optimal health, and it's vital you find a way to make it happen.
During the summer months, I’m naturally more active outdoors, but I’ll admit, I’ve often found it hard to stick with my yoga practice which I need to keep me calm, focused and strong. During the summer, my husband and I travel a lot and have more plans and obligations making it harder to get to a studio for classes. But not this summer. I realized I needed to find a way to get yoga in anytime and anywhere.
My secret? Yoga videos and a folding travel yoga mat (this mat is so light and small, there’s always room in my suitcase). The only thing I need is wifi and enough space to lay out a mat (bonus for an outdoor space to practice).
As my husband says "Step 1 - Get on the mat."
Yoga has incredible health benefits:
The classes/instructor: I want to preface this with I have no affiliation with this person. I don’t know him personally or professionally. I accidentally found him when looking for yoga videos on YouTube. That said, I have done many of his classes and haven’t done a class I didn’t like so I wanted to share it with you. The website is Yoga With Tim. He’s great at breaking down the poses and articulating how your should be moving and which muscles to be activating. The videos are perfect for beginners and advanced yogis alike. It eliminates all excuses.
Not enough time? Yoga with Tim has videos as short as 10 minutes to over an hour. Even if you only have 10 minutes (and come on, who doesn’t), you can gain some benefits.
Worried you won’t be good at it? I know it sounds unusual that you could learn yoga by doing it at home without an instructor physically there to guide you, but trust me you can. Often in a large class, you don’t get one on one attention from the instructor anyway. Tim has yoga for beginner videos and even does a 30-day yoga challenge perfect for beginners that builds you up over the course of the 30 days. I’ve been practicing yoga forever and have learned better form. My husband who was a beginner has quickly advanced.
Too tired? Yoga is truly one of the best forms of exercise for those with chronic fatigue and adrenal fatigue. It builds muscle strength while strengthens the parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous system through mindfulness and breathing. On the contrary, cardio and strength training stimulate the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) which can be depleting for those already feeling depleted.
You don’t like it? If yoga isn’t your thing, figure out what is! Check out this website, qinetic, for free do anywhere fitness classes. For you yogi’s they have yoga too. Exercise doesn’t have to be a chore. It can be something you enjoy. Human’s are animals that need to move! Find something that makes you as excited as your dog is when you even mention the word “walk”. If you can’t find something you love, keep at it, you’ll eventually find the activities right for you. In the meantime, find a workout buddy you enjoy spending time with.
Namaste,
Nicole
Have a great yoga or fitness resource? Please share below!
