“A healthy body is a platform for flourishing a healthy mind.” - Pawan Mishra
We only get one body in this lifetime, and we have a responsibility to take care of it to the best of our ability. Some days, yoga is spiritually focused, taking steps on the path to enlightenment through meditation and mantra. Some days yoga satisfies the need to work through complicated emotions or break some unhealthy thought patterns. And some days, yoga can be purely focused on getting strong, lean, and powerful.
As global citizens, we’ve all spent the last eighteen months with limitations on our usual activity and movement. If you’ve spent so much time on your couch that you’ve worn a booty-shaped groove in it, you’re not alone. Living through a pandemic has left most of us with a surplus of tamasic or heavy, solid energy.
Physically, that can manifest as bloat, excess weight, and general lethargy.
Mentally, you may be experiencing a lack of clarity, confidence, and motivation. And, emotionally, you may feel detached or weighed down by unprocessed emotions. We hold our thoughts and feelings in our tissues and when we exercise more vigorously, we can release stagnant energy.
This week’s classes feature vigorous practices, more focused on core strength, breaking a sweat, toning muscles, and burning off negative energy. Consider how good you feel after a challenging hike, run, swim, or bike ride. We’ve all heard of the runner’s high (even if some of us haven’t personally experienced it.) You can attain that same euphoric feeling on your yoga mat. Also pushing yourself physically requires mental discipline––often it is our brain that pushes us to keep at it, despite physical discomfort.
Challenging yourself physically benefits your lymphatic, digestive, and circulatory systems. Burning off calories while releasing toxins not only boosts your energy but also makes you feel stronger and lighter. If you’re focused on doing one more repetition or staying with it one more minute, you’re also clearing your mind of toxic thoughts. Release the state of stagnation and step away from emotional negativity. This week, use your yoga practice to burn off what is weighing you down on every level. Use your physical intention to garner all the yogic mental and spiritual benefits too.
Robert Sidoti - Weight Loss Routine
Claire Petretti Marti - Pilates Yoga Fusion: Advanced
Ben Davis - Fitness 'n; Yoga: Exercise Your Body
Erin Wimert - Meet Me At The Barre