It's hard not to read about the benefits of yoga and exercise wherever we look. We see ads for exercise machines that help burn fat and tone muscles. We see yoga mats and blocks used to stretch, arch the back, and reduce overall stress. But there are so many added benefits that often don't get enough recognition. That's what this article is about.
"It's never too late to be what you might have been."– George Elliot
Yoga is Good for You
Yoga is a relaxing practice that we should all do every morning to start the day. Of course, you should do yoga every day, as it greatly relieves tension and starts your day with a serotonin boost to reduce anxiety and help you achieve and maintain a lean, flexible body. We all know these things, but did you know yoga can be a real workout? Look at this girl (the photo). See how perfectly relaxed she is doing this pose. Do you know her abs are burning and she's sweating a lot? Do you know how great it is that she's able to burn calories, work muscles, and stay calm and focused the whole time? If you want to try some simple yoga poses today, I'll give you a couple of beginner tips to help regulate your breathing and release some of that stress while toning up.
At the risk of sounding like an "oh so much more enlightened than you" person, I know from personal experience that the breathing exercises involved in yoga give your mind more clarity and help provide a kind of spiritual strength that comes from something else. When I do yoga every day, it does all the following for me: my back pain disappears, I have fewer cravings and eat healthier overall, my blood pressure circulates better and my overall heart health improves, I stress less and my depression becomes much more manageable, I have more energy, fewer headaches, and I sleep better at night.
Exercise is Good for You
What about exercise? I know you're thinking, "Surely yoga can't completely replace the fat-burning that cardio and weight training do." You're right! Cardio exercises are excellent for improving heart health (though be careful not to overdo it). With lighter weights and more repetitions, you can increase your endurance. Plus, if you work out in the morning, some say you'll continue burning calories long after your workout. Do you think it's all work and no fun? Think of your favorite upbeat song. Now imagine running to that beat on a treadmill for 3 or 4 minutes and feeling like a movie star. Drink some water. Repeat.
Of course, I have some suggestions from my own personal routines that you may or may not want to follow. I find I can work better and more if I have a good high-protein snack about 30 minutes before my session. I don't like the texture of bananas, but they're a great source of natural energy and come in their own biodegradable wrappers, so I usually go with bananas. I also suggest you start by drinking water before your workout and spend plenty of time stretching so you don't get injured. It's very important to keep drinking water to replace all the water you're losing in those designer gym shorts. Take short, frequent breaks and drink water and breathe deeply. There are also some great post-workout snacks out there so you can celebrate your victory over the elliptical without undoing all the hard work.
Conclusion
I'm not perfect. I admit I don't work out or do yoga three times a week like I should. However, the health benefits are there, and just because we've fallen behind doesn't mean we can't get back on that horse and do it again. Exercising and doing yoga are important for our bodies. We should keep trying and make time for it. Let's not give up on our bodies; after all, they're the only ones we have.
