Today we have a guest author on Common Sense Health and Wellness.
I have known Julie Fischer for probably 15-20 years and it was not that long ago that Julie used to work with me at the IMW. At that time Julie was giving therapeutic and Thai massages to IMW members as well as others in the community. Julie then opened her own studio, Live In Joy Wellness in Audubon, NJ. So when I was brainstorming about the April 2022 Activity/Exercise #IMWChallenge, I said to myself, I need to ask Julie to write a guest post about the many benefits of yoga.
So take it away Julie:
As a yoga teacher, I have lots of people tell me that they feel they can’t do yoga because they are not flexible. This is true of most people who begin a yoga practice, and often why they would benefit exponentially by doing it! Yoga isn’t about getting yourself into impossible poses or on the cover of yoga journal — its a coordination of body, breath, and mental focus.
Most of us spend a great deal of time sitting, standing, doing repetitive movements and also are experiencing a significant degree of mental stress in every day life. Often, even those who work out regularly report that they don’t stretch much, if at all, and we can get used to feeling a subtle level of tension in our minds and bodies.
Having stiff, chronically tight, fatigued muscles, minds and joints can lead to injury, extra doctor visits and a painful existence. Simple yoga movements coordinated with breathing and awareness can begin to release accumulated tensions, restructure alignment & posture and improve circulation. Usually after a just a few sessions positive changes are noticed, and this is just the tip of the iceberg as far as the benefits go - a consistent practice of the gentlest practices can lead to a world of good stuff, including better sleep, mental balance & focus, body coordination, weight loss, oxygen absorption, detoxification of the blood stream and mood improvement to name a few.
Give it a try! If you are brand new, or its been a while, give yourself great favor and start at a beginner level! Often classes at gyms and studios, even YouTube can be quite pretzel like, rigorous & fast, and are not necessarily the best ones to begin a new practice. Look for the classes/teachers that are for true beginners (there are even yoga in the chair classes that can accommodate all kinds of physical challenges) and then do ONLY what your body and breath can comfortably move into. Stick to that level until you’ve got a high level of ease before moving into more difficult ones.
Be well!
Julie
Julie says to check out Janet Watkins and Megan Marchese at Live In Joy Yoga and Wellness if you are interested in pursuing yoga.
If any of Common Sense Health and Wellness readers use Yoga and have a good studio or instructor you recommend in the area, please leave that info in the comments section.
It is April and not March but I keep finding even more shareable info on the benefits of Fasting.
I can also share a short Instagram video from Dr. Mindy Pelz.
For those of you who have been following along since February with the Lower Carb Challenge, followed by the Intermittent Fasting Challenge, do not forget about what you have learned and improved upon for your health. Activity/Exercise Challenge will build upon previous challenges.
If you are just starting with this challenge or have missed the others, you can always go back and read thru January, February and March #IMWChallenge posts beginning here.
As always, comments and questions always welcome.
I'm going to try yoga. I tried one time and good thing I was in the back of the class, because I couldn't stop laughing. Touch my toes? Seriously? lol I have bad arthritic knees that I cannot put any pressure on them. It is very hard to lower myself down to the ground. And stand up is a different story. But I am realizing my legs are getting cramped where they feel like any day my muscles are going to spaz out. I do stretch, but not enough. I am getting to the point where I need that jump start more than ever. I'm so tired of using excuses to prevent me of exercising. My thought IS getting stronger and I know that jumpstart is right around the corner. I had a patient who teaches 7 days a week at Yoga Revive in Marlton. Since I work in Marlton, I can go there after work. I just visited my daughter Tiffany and got home yesterday. It is time!!!! I am going to make myself out a schedule, get a marker board, and keep track of what I am doing. I do have a digital scale at work, so I will keep track every 2 weeks. Say a prayer for me lol will keep you posted
Processed is processed. Don’t be fooled by labels(Keto friendly, low carb etc). On top of the cheap junky ingredients in these type processed products you also get the pressure of paying a premium price. This particular product works out to $12.50/lb! You can get grassfed beef for less!!!!!
https://www.wonderworksfoods.com/products/chocolate-keto-friendly-cereal/