In our stressed out society, many of us are in a constant “fight or flight” mode, due to psychological stress and habitual shallow breathing. This causes our sympathetic nervous system to direct the blood where it’s needed to quickly escape or fight an imminent physical threat– our muscles, brain, and eyes. Therefore, blood flow is directed away from digestion, immunity, skin, and repair. Is it any wonder that stress causes digestive problems, rapid aging, and predisposes us to disease?
Yoga to the rescue! The physical yoga postures, breathing exercises, and psychological approach stimulate the parasympathetic response, which is rest, digest, and repair mode. And you thought you were just getting more flexible! Yoga practice can help us to feel better in every way, live better, and even age better.
There are numerous styles of yoga, from relaxing and restorative to vigorous and athletic. Explore the classes in your area – you can definitely find one that meets your needs (which of course may change over time).
Namaste!
Not to be confused with “get rich quick” schemes, High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is no scheme. It’s a highly effective, proven approach for building lean body mass, boosting metabolism, improving insulin sensitivity, and increasing fitness and performance. Since you can whittle down your workout from a long, boring 60 minutes to a quick but intense 20 minute workout, it’s the best option for time crunched people, but also a great adjunct for anyone interested in fitness and health.