How a Little Yoga Might Do a Lot for You
By Sandy Schroeder
Most of us plunge into the day and keep right on going. If your schedule does not allow for many breaks, it may be time to upgrade workouts with yoga sessions to keep you active and pain-free.
How We Get into Ruts
The body can tighten up with stress or a steady diet of fixed positions, bending over a cell phone, or sitting in front of a keyboard or TV. Over time the body changes, becoming tighter with trigger points, limited range of motion, and then pain. Wherever you are in this cycle, you can break out of it, or prevent it with a flow of brief daily yoga exercises.
If you are new to yoga, observe a class, and talk with a certified instructor about your issues to get started. At the same time, check with your doctor for approval.
How to Keep Moving All Day
Staying active all day could be as easy as doing 10- or 15-minute yoga sessions throughout the day. Start with a morning liftoff, doing a few yoga stretches with your morning coffee before the day begins. Carry your mat with you to do 15-minute breaks mid-morning, after lunch or mid-afternoon. You might also use yoga stretching and breathing exercises if you are stuck in traffic, standing in line, or waiting for an appointment or a flight. Finally, an evening wind-down session may help you relax and sleep better.
Standing alone, each of these sessions may seem minor, but you may be amazed at the cumulative effect in added energy and real relaxation. When you use them all day long you are using movement to fight today’s sedentary lifestyle. Yoga has a long list of benefits listed by Harvard Health.
- Stress relief
- Posture and balance
- Reduced risk of heart disease
- Relief for migraines
- Added strength, flexibility and coordination
- Moving meditation with relaxed breathing techniques
I started with a weekly yoga class that I really needed for stress. My day job was becoming an issue and I really needed to unwind. After observing a session, I showed up for a class and put my mat in the back of the room. At first it was a little intimidating, but I soon learned yoga is an individual journey, however it works is what matters. Yoga works for people of all ages for many reasons. Once they try it, they may be hooked.
Yoga turned out to be the stress outlet I needed. Each class helped me shed a little more stress and get a better grip on things. I still show up for weekly yoga, and leave smiling. The minute I settle onto my mat I can feel the stress lifting. See what you think.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Loveland, Colo.