Welcome everyone!
Well as I promised, I'm am now going to tell you about my exercise routine.It's easy and you can do it until you're 100, or more! I'm not even joking!
Not everyone knows this but I am a yoga instructor. I have been doing yoga for 10 years now. I bet you are thinking "Steve, why did you start doing yoga?". Well it's simple really. An ex of mine and I broke up our relationship and she took everything, basically. I had a TV, a VCR (remember those), a futon, and a dining room table. After a few nights of sleeping on the futon I could barely move! BTW "futon" is Japanese for "unwelcome houseguest", or so I have been told. Back to what I was saying, my back hurt! As I was digging through stacks of VHS tapes on the floor trying to find something to watch, I found a tape called "Back Care Yoga". It was 2 AM and I thought to myself, "I'm just going to see what this is all about". So I watched it, didn't look to hard, nobody is going to see me doing it, I gave it a try. It was really basic and actually it was easy! After that I went to bed on my worn out futon. I slept better than I had in years! So I did the tape every single day!
After a couple weeks the tape was boring so I went and looked for more tapes and did them. Then I bought books about yoga. Then I started going to yoga seminars and taking classes! I practiced everyday for about 2 hours! I got really good at it! At last I was offered the opportunity to get certified to teach a yoga class! I am now certified to teach 3 types of yoga! Hatha, Astanga, and my personal favorite Power Vinyasa. I taught the Astanga yoga to fill in for a studio owner who was going on maternity leave. Once she came back, I started my own class on Saturdays.
I haven't taught a weekly class in just over year. Over this last year I have honestly not been practicing like I should be. I am getting back to it now though. My body has been stiff and sore lately and I haven't had the energy I used to have, when I was practicing regularly. It takes a commitment of time and as much effort as you can muster but the payout is unbelievable! If you want to stay limber or get more limber you can practice once a week. That is a good lace to start. If you want to really get your body going then practice 3 times a week. To really change your life around, do it everyday!
You can do it like I did with tapes and books. A class is nice because an instructor can point out the things you are doing good and give tips to improve the areas you need help in. For the most part, instructors are a caring group of people! You may have a teacher that you don't care for or be trying a style you are not fond of doing, but don't give up! Try a different style and/or a different teacher! There is a class someplace that you will fit in and enjoy! Just go at it with an open mind and an open heart! Don't worry if you can't do a pose your first class! You may not get a certain pose until you are in your 150th class! The important thing is to keep trying! Don't worry if you are not very limber or can't touch your toes, that will change with time. Keep at it! If you have a hard time standing on one foot that's okay, it just means you need to practice. Keep at it!
You can't take free weights on vacation. You can't take a treadmill on vacation. You can take a yoga mat on vacation! A good yoga mat only $20. A $20 yoga book packs easy too! Take them everywhere! Yoga can also be done by people of any age! How many 70 years old people lift weights? I know half a dozen that do yoga. why wouldn't someone want to learn an exercise program that they could use until they are in their 70's, 80's, or older!
In closing, that is what I do for exercise. I have had some amazing results and amazing experiences doing yoga. This is the story I share with everyone. Including the college health class I give a presentation to every spring semester. I hope you give it a try, if not, I hope you can find some exercise program you do like and give that one your all!
Have fun everyone! Namaste!
Steven
