For strength everywhere else in the body, you’re resistance training at least twice a week. And no, yoga doesn’t count and really, neither does Pilates. Pick up some weights or go to a weight training class. If your core strength is weak, then let’s talk about some Pilates Reformer private sessions. You will have a much easier time in your weight training endeavours with a strong core, not to mention in your sports. No lie, skiing and snowboarding will be so much easier.
Now let’s talk about Yoga. You balance your stimulating cardio and resistance training workouts with Yoga. The mistake a lot of people make is by thinking that their Yoga can be their workout. Sadly, Yoga is your work “in” or your balancer of the overstimulation in your life, not a workout.
So you should be evaluating your day to decide what kind of Yoga to practice. If you start your day with Yoga, and it’s going to be a low key day you may want a stimulating class, like Ashtanga. If you are looking at the day from hell, maybe a gentle balancing yoga would be a better choice. If you practice after a cardio or strength workout, Yin yoga is a great choice. It works to stretch connective tissues. If you practice in the evening, you will have experienced most of your day and if it was stressful and over stimulating, restorative could be the ticket. If you have had a very vatic day (experienced a little bit of air-headedness, or you were having a hard time staying focused, an Iyengar class would bring alignment and balance. Whatever you choose, make sure that it is not hot (remember we are healing) and that you are balancing, not continuing to deplete which creates more of the same stress or imbalance. That will only open the door for injury, aging, illness, headaches, anxiety, emotional imbalance, depression, and hormone imbalance.
The next thing to look at is your food. You are what you eat. How your digestion and energy level are; how often are you sick? Are you eliminating on a regular basis and what does that look like? Yes, literally, what does that look like?
What you eat determines the answers to these questions, because again, you are what you eat. If the answers aren’t “great”, then you must look at how and with what you are nourishing your body.
In Ayurveda, (the ancient science of health) we look at our body’s constitution or make-up, Dosha, (Vata, Pitta, or Kapha) and then follow the nutritional guidelines for our particular make-up. You won’t believe how much difference it makes when you eat the food your body is capable of digesting correctly.
Last but not the least, sleep, yes, you need a good sleep.
So it looks like you are doing a really good job. You are exercising daily and in a way that fills you full of energy and vitality, not in a depleting manner. You are eating fresh, organic foods that agree with your constitution. And you are getting sleep, at least 8 hours. You are nourishing your body so that it can digest not only your food, but also your emotions, thoughts, feelings, and impressions.
Here are 10 Ways To Up Your Ojas:
By Peggy Breeze
I am a Ayurvedic Diet and Lifestyle consultant, Yoga Specialist, Peak and Power Pilates instructor, cycle instructor and a personal trainer with certifications from Kripalu and 500-hour Himalayan Institute.
To know more about Peggy Breeze- visit www.thebalancedyogi.com