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Jan

2013

Yoga Benefits Health

Posted by Sara Robbins @ 12:15:PM

Ommm …

Right now, it is 30 degrees, gusts of tornadic wind are making it feel like 23 degrees. Not good running weather, or at least not for this cold weather wimp. During these cold months, I end up practicing a little yoga. If just the utterance of that word makes you imagine patchouli incense, chants and quiet meditation … think again my friend. Because if you know me, you know sitting still is not really my thing.

In Sanskrit, yoga has various meanings including "connection," "contact," "method," "application," "addition" and "performance." To me, yoga is about a mind and body connection. This connection helps athletes of any level to stay pliable to prevent injury, get their game face on by quieting your mind and focus on the task at hand and have some active rest to help tired muscles recover. If you are skeptical about yoga being a form of exercise, do a few sun salutations matching your breath to your movement and tell me what think.

If you choose to try this ancient practice, you can check out lots of videos for beginners on YouTube if entering a yoga studio intimidates. Or better yet, grab a friend and head to a studio, or gym and seek out a class that guides you through poses with a great soundtrack. No chanting monks allowed. And don’t be intimidated if you feel more comfortable in child’s pose than you do in pigeon pose. Don’t forget, Michael Jordan didn’t become the great basketball player he was by walking in to a gym.

So, grab a big towel (mats are nice but you don’t have to have one), tuck in your shirt (well, only if you don’t want the guy behind you to see up your shirt) and repeat after me … Chaturanga. That breathy release does nothing but make me smile. Try it!

Run Momma Run

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