That’s been me of late, as I wrote about a few days ago in a post.  I’ve had a hard time staying on the exercise wagon lately which all started when I injured my knee.  Add on having the shingles and finding out my gym was closing, and you can see why I’ve gotten into a serious gym funk.  Motivation? Out the window. And with all our rain lately, even walking outside seems less than compelling in the midst of a downpour!

But getting back on track is all about taking a new approach to shake things up. The easiest thing I could do would be to just sign up for another gym and quietly go through the motions again.  Hello?! Why in the world would I do that? I want change, not more of the same. And since summer is a time of new beginnings for me, I’m all about looking at exercise from a different perspective.

So I thought it fortuitous when I saw my friend Steve the other day at a party. Steve just got certified as a yoga instructor and when I asked about where and when he was teaching he mentioned that he has a Tuesday evening class at a yoga studio minutes from my house. He said that it’s a beginners class, and even though I’ve done a fair amount of yoga, it struck me that taking his class would serve me well — I’m the queen of overdoing it and easing back into yoga with the basics immediately resonated with me.  Besides, I’m going easy on my knee and the last thing I want is to make it worse.

I’m leaving for vacation for a week tomorrow, but when I’m back, I’m committed to kick starting a new exercise routine with a healthy dose of yoga from one of my favorite people.  And then we’ll see about the gym situation and what makes the most sense.  In the end, it’s about taking small baby steps to get back on track and that’s my plan. 

When it comes to exercise, when was the last time you really shook things up and tried something different?

So even though I knew I’d have to get up earlier than usual, I already sensed that it would not only be worth by time, but also set the tone for the day. Boy was I right! Kundalini yoga is all about the breath and tuning into your body. I love it because it doesn’t require any athletic prowess or ability to hold long postures. It’s gentle, effortless and completely relaxing. What a fantastic way to start the day.

Just making that simple effort reminded how easy it is to be healthy when we want to do it. Instead of feeling like drudgery, it was pleasurable. Instead of feeling like I should do it, I really wanted to do it. When that’s the case, it’s so much easier to get into action about our health. And the great news is that I’ll reap the benefits of this morning class all day – calmer and more focused, in tune with my body, less stress, taking deeper breaths, slowing down and not rushing through my day. What a gift to receive this at 6:00 in the morning.

I hope you’ll make it a great day and tune into what your body and health most need.

All of these things are possible through the practice of yoga. Yoga originated in India and has been practiced for centuries. Simply put, yoga means “union.” It’s the intersection of mind, body and spirit and gives us the ability to tune into our bodies and improve our health.

What can yoga do for you? There are literally hundreds of benefits to yoga. It increases strength and flexibility and is especially helpful for people who suffer from arthritis. It’s immensely calming, reducing stress and anxiety and quieting the mind. Think you need caffeine to get energized? Think again! Through the practice of deep breathing, yoga naturally energizes you and helps to remove energy blocks in your body. In addition, it’s been linked to the prevention and cure of numerous disorders including heart problems, back pain, obesity, migraine headaches, and hypertension just to name a few. In essence, it’s great medicine to keep you healthy, vibrant and in optimal shape.

Read your local newspaper and you’ll probably find a variety of yoga classes and studios in your area. The truth is, there are numerous forms that you can practice. Some forms of yoga are more meditative and spiritual such as Hatha and Kundalini yoga, while others are more intense and athletic such as Power, Forrest and Vinyasa yoga. The key is to experiment and find the type of yoga that feels right for you. And if you can’t get to a class, experiment with a yoga DVD that you can do from the comfort of your own home.

Above all, try yoga and get started on the path to better, more vibrant health.

One things that has helped me calm down and worry less is doing yoga. I love yoga because I get to exercise, focus on my breathing and calm down all at the same time. I’m  fond of a DVD that I’ve gotten in the habit of doing every morning. It’s called “Kundalini Yoga for Beginners and Beyond” that I stumbled upon thanks to a friend. What’s so great about it? It’s all about getting you focused on deep breathing. It was a little tough at first but once I got the hang of it, I noticed the placid feeling I get when I’m done. My mind slows down, I get in touch with my body and I feel calm and centered – quite an achievement for me.  It’s such an easy solution to help you worry less, feel energized and ready for the day.

 What do you do to breathe more deeply, worry less and calm down? I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas!

Why do so many of us practice shallow breathing? It’s often not a conscious act and it can stem from the stressful lives that we lead. We’re all trying to do more with less resources, juggle multiple priorities, stay healthy, run a family and countless other things in life. It’s no wonder we’re regularly under pressure. When our bodies tense up, or we’re feeling fear or apprehension, it’s a common response to take short, shallow breaths.

But when we take full, deep breaths, we give our body a boost. Deep belly breaths help relieve tension, relax us and increase our energy. Imagine what would happen if you took a few minutes to breath deeply while preparing for a big presentation. Among other things, it will help you focus and concentrate. Deep breathing also helps to purify our blood, improve digestion and remove toxins from our system. Perhaps we need to start practicing what yogis have known for centuries: those who breathe deeply live longer.

What are some simple ways you can practice deeper breathing?

– Take a yoga or tai chi class. Both of these are gentle forms of exercise that focus on the breath.
– Meditate in the morning or evening.
– Take a few minutes during your day to sit in silence and quiet your mind. As you do, focus on your breathing.
– Limit distractions such as watching TV or listening to the radio so you can spend more time with yourself.
– Read one of my favorite books, Oasis in the Overwhelm: 60 Second Strategies for Balance in a Busy World, and learn simple strategies to calm down, relax and rejuvenate. 

(See Oasis in the Overwhelm – 60 Second Stress Management Strategies)

OK, now it’s up to you – what will you do to breath more deeply today?

Wednesday, February 14 – Health Body, Healthy Business!
12:00- 1:30 pm, Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, 900 Chapel St., New Haven, CT

Are you a local real estate agent always on the go? Then join me for a 3-part series starting on February 14 (subsequent sessions will be held March 21 and April 18) designed to help you expand your business and grow your income by starting with you! When we’re eating healthfully and taking care of ourselves, our energy increases, we have a more positive attitude and we’re in the right frame of mind to grow our business successfully. Sponsored by Kim Hafford of Washington Mutual Home Loans and Edna Colucci of the Colucci Law Firm, LLC, this free series includes a healthy lunch, great learning environment and information to keep you healthy. For more information call 203.641.0653.

Thursday, February 22 – Wellness Stretch Class with Renee Baldo of Unlimited Potential Studio 7:30-8:30 pm, Jared Andrew Dance Studio, 42 State Street, North Haven, CT

You won’t want to miss the chance to stretch your body and relax your mind at this class given by my colleague Renee Baldo. Renee is a skincare specialist as well as a registered nurse and always uses a holistic approach to getting and staying healthy! All you need is a yoga mat, towel, water and loose fitting clothing. Come join the fun! For more information and to reserve your spot call 203.239.1966. Fee: $10.

Tuesday, February 27 – Nutrition talk at Kathleen Brennan School, New, Haven, CT

Helping kids get healthy? Can’t think of a better thing to do! I’ll be working with 7th and 8th graders at Kathleen Brennan school to teach basic nutrition tips and simple ways to eat for energy that even teenagers will love.

Wednesday, February 28 – Sugar Blues Workshop for Miller Association Seniors
1:00-2:00 pm, Hamden Senior Center, Dixwell Avenue, Hamden, CT

Did you know that eating sweet root vegetables helps to curb sugar cravings? Join me for an interactive workshop to help seniors learn tips and information to overcome sugar addiction. Doughnuts, cookies and cake be gone! We’ll be discussing lots of healthy, nutrient-rich options that can tackle even the worst sugar cravings!