Depending on the weather we may be suffering from seasonal ‘blahs’. One reason for this is that we tend to spend a lot of time indoors during the colder, wetter months.
We have to give ourselves a ‘boot out the door’ to maintain our physical and mental health….Yes, even on those dismal days. When you are feeling a little depressed or overwhelmed you might not feel like doing physical activity but it is important to get energy moving in your body.
There is nothing like fresh air and a brisk walk, a quick jog or a bike ride to perk you up and clear your mind.
Fit them into a daily routine if possible. You don’t have to devote a lot of time. The key is to move stagnant energy. 
The benefits are immediate!
Once a week you might consider one of the following…
Hiking, swimming, kayaking, sports groups, yoga classes as well as martial arts classes.
If you are into running or cycling, aim for short 10 min sessions daily and a longer session once a week.
(Check your nearby Visitors Centre for maps of hiking, walking and cycling trails in your area)
Most of us work too hard and don’t give ourselves enough time for play.
If you want to feel different, do something different.
Life can be a lot more fun when we get physical.
We become vibrant and alive!
We set a good example for our children, our friends and our neighbors.
Making the decision to make your good health a priority is the first step.
Spring is a time of new beginnings. Consider what new beginnings you would like to make for yourself.
Then, find time slot in your day for some physical activity (keep it simple, 10 minutes is better than nothing!)
Then….try to stick to it!
Yoga is wonderful way to move energy, plus it has a powerful calming effect on the mind and nervous system.
Every cell of the body is affected by a well rounded class.
Your cells sit up and take notice of this new energy and right away you feel a new sense of calm yet vitally alive!
The calming effects from a yoga class can last several days!
Imagine what a yoga retreat could do for you!
Taking responsibility for your health is a big step….nobody else can do it for you!
See you on the mat!
Dorothy
*Join me for a free ‘sample’ yoga class on Salt Spring Island (just mention this blog post) or better yet join in one of my yoga retreats on Salt Spring Island BC, in the Tofino area and at new locations such as Costa Rica, Bali or Italy!
*Attending even one yoga class a week will acheive many benefits that can last many days after the class. Think what a yoga retreat could do for you!
YOGA AND WEIGHT LOSS
Weight loss…here is a topic that many grapple with.
I would love to see the focus change from ‘weight loss’ to ‘well being’!
I am an advocate of healthy lifestyle, healthy eating and exercise of all kinds!
I encourage everyone to engage in the physical activities that most appeal to them.
We don’t have to stick to just one…the more the better.
All will help with a sense of well being and weight loss.
Because yoga is my specialty, I can shed some light on why yoga is so helpful.
• Yoga affects us on many levels.
• On an obvious level, a yoga class with a higher energy flow will help burn calories but studies show that even the slower classes help shed pounds.
Why?
• Yoga teaches us to be mindful of how the body feels. We will be less likely to overeat and more careful about our food choices.
• Yoga calms the mind. We can make more mindful choices when we come from a calm place.
• Yoga settles the emotions. This will help to reduce the times you indulge in inappropriate foods to satisfy your emotional needs.
• Yoga brings wisdom. When the mind is quiet we can access our inner wisdom. We all know what foods we shouldn’t eat and we all know that we should be proactive in our own health.
Perhaps you think that you can’t go to yoga or fitness class until you are thinner.
That is like saying “I can’t go to a yoga class until I am more flexible!”
Come to the safe sanctuary of a class.
We all have body ‘wishes’…. thinner, taller, shorter….or perhaps we perceive that one of our body parts falls short of ideal. Truth is, we all have something that we feel a little (or a lot) insecure about.
I invite you to quit negatively judging yourself and be the beautiful being that you are.
Let’s make our focus; optimal physical, mental and emotional health. Everytime you eat, drink or do something ask yourself if this is contributing to your optimal wellbeing.
Come to the safe sanctuary of a class.
When I see my students walk out the door with that peaceful, radiant glow I know that we are working in the right direction.
Bring your beautiful body to the mat and let’s see where the journey will take us!
See you there!
Dorothy
*Join me for a free ‘sample’ yoga class on Salt Spring Island (just mention this blog post) or better yet join in one of my yoga retreats on Salt Spring Island BC, in the Tofino area and at new locations such as Costa Rica, Bali or Italy!
*Attending even one yoga class a week will acheive many benefits that can last many days after the class. Think what a yoga retreat could do for you!