My Yoga Experience

Me trying to do a pose. Excuse the form! LoL.

  So it's a new year and (no don't worry I'm not going to say, a new you...how cliche would that be!) without cutting out every indulgence in my life, I have decided to try and do even just a few things towards making myself healthier in body and in mind. 

Recently I started with very bad panic attacks, and every source I came across said how great yoga was for grounding yourself and becoming a less stressed out person. I've been saying for the longest time how I would like to try doing yoga, but have never had enough motivation to take the first step towards actually doing it. I'm sure you guys know what I mean!

Apart from being on prescription meds for my anxiety, it's important for me to do other things too to help ease stress. I don't want to be a prescription addict forever! Now let me tell you, I'm not the nicest person to be around when it comes to exercising (LOL). My dad loves to run, and is very good at it. So I thought, hey maybe he passed that gene onto me...well let's just say I tried and might just leave running on the back-burner for a while. I took him up on his offer to go running. If I wasn't shouting at my him to keep on going, I was clutching my chest convinced the run was killing me! So no, running was crossed off my list very quickly.

Here's my dad out for a run in New York!

I was nervous to try yoga...I've seen some of the moves, and it scared me. A lot. I can't put my foot behind my head! L.J has been amazing through my whole anxiety ordeal, has been doing yoga with me and it's true what they say having an exercise buddy makes it that much easier. Having someone close to you who is motivating and encourages you is amazing. So we found a great personal trainer on Youtube named Jessica Smith, who has a whole bunch of different fitness videos. 

L.J was adamant against going in to a yoga class, let's just say she tried it before and it didn't end too well. She attempted hot yoga, and for her benefit I am going to say that I believe it was an advanced yoga class, judging from the moves she described to me! Hot yoga involves doing it in a very VERY hot room to really make you sweat. She got a bit overheated and ran out and never looked back...until I mentioned that I would like to try yoga. She agreed, but on her terms, which suited me just fine. Anyway, enough of me waffling on!

What is this post called? 

We have been doing it for a few weeks now and we both really enjoy it. You have to start with a beginner class if you are new to yoga or you will lose motivation very fast. Another thing to keep in mind, is that yoga is not going to increase your heart rate a great deal, it's not cardio, so don't stress if you are not panting when you finish. The ending point is to feel relaxed. Doing it right before bed is great. 

Here is a link to one of Jessica's beginner yoga lessons you can do right in your living room. Click on the photo of Jessica and her adorable puppy Peanut below. 

 (Photo taken from jessicasmithtv.com)

 

 Let me know how it goes, and also link me any good workouts you've tried recently!

xxTam