breaking a sweat

When it comes to working out, getting back in shape, and the necessity to get some sort of exercise every day, I have come to the following conclusion: it has to be fun.

Fun.

I have so little free time.  When I do find an extra 45 minutes in my day (or early morning) I don't want punishment.  I don't want a treadmill that leads to nowhere. I just want to do something fun. For me.

Step class, aerobics, indoor spinning, weight training in the gym...no thank you. Blech.

All I really need to do is work up a sweat. So I am trying to approach the idea of exercise as something that is just that simple.

 

(If you nurse a baby or carry one around on your hip all day...this is the stretch for you! Feels so good!)

What I am loving most of all: Yoga.  I find it to be a great workout and a great form of relaxation all in one. I started practicing about 4 months ago and it was like a total body awakening. After having being pregnant, giving birth, and all of the time I spend nursing-- I really did feel like some of my muscles had become dormant.  It felt/feels so wonderful to rouse them again.

I can't leave my kids everyday to go take a class so I have to rely mostly on dvds.  I love trying new ones from the library or ordering them up on my netflix queue before purchasing them. 

Because I am a retired ballerina, technique was important to me.  I wanted to be doing it "right".  This video was a great place to start. I like Sheva's other video too.

I also like Baron Baptiste.  This video is good (and inspiring, lots of really athletic bods!).

With respect to those who approach yoga from a different perspective, I will say that yoga is not a spiritual experience for me.  Maybe some would argue that you cannot separate the two.  But once I get the sequence down, I pretty much tune out the instructor and do my own thing mentally.  I'm pretty focused on maintaing form and keeping my breath going. I do not practice meditation, nor to I feel "connected to the earth". I just like the way my muscles are engaged and working hard...and yet relaxed.

Fun. It has to be fun.  What are you doing to stay active?