Exercise 4 Emotions!

Exercise for emotions, especially in the winter time. #feelingsfitnesswinterwonder is focused on finding ways to "Hibernate Happily!" Exercise is a key component.

​In the mid-west, we are, for the most part, confined to indoor exercise during the winter. Some brave souls forge forward & get outdoors, I am one of the wimpy ones, so...

Working out in the winter, for me, is really as a simple as Cardio(Running or Spinning) + Strength/Stretch(Yoga). I am a firm believer that yoga can be all the "strength" training that is really needed. The body resistance is so easy on the joints & also strengthens the muscles. Some may argue that one needs more intensity than that, but as the body ages, less impact can be more beneficial. Great for the body, mind & soul!

​The days that I hop on the treadmill at home & fire up a yoga video in my home studio space, it becomes my version of "hot" yoga. It is the most amazing combination. Get the heart rate up, break a sweat, head over to the yoga mat to do some planks or boat pose, etc. to engage the muscles, followed by the most relaxing stretch session and svasana! Boom! Hot yoga in the house, woot, woot!

All that being said, my exercise for a typical week consists of 2 days of cardio & 3 days of yoga. I like to choose a Spin class to take at the gym one day & hop on the treadmill at home for the other. I do a full yoga practice with strength training 3 days a week. I have found that Yoga with Adriene tends to be my go-to in order to get in a yoga class or 2 at home, then it is fun to get out to a studio for a class once a week too. 

I do have a simple yoga sequence that I do every morning followed by 15 minutes of meditation and journaling. This helps me wake up my body and also align my emotions for the day. Setting an intention & creating a clear visual of the day helps me keep calm & carry on with whatever curve balls get thrown my way.

The book pictured above is my go-to resource for understanding how various yoga poses benefit the body. I also use this book when I am planning classes. I love to make my classes filled with "purposeful" poses. I feel that if students understand the "why" of the poses, they will be more inclined to continue on their yoga journey.

So, if you feel like skipping exercise for the day, remind yourself that it's not just about the body, it's about the mind too! Exercise 4 Emotions...it gets me through the winter days!

#feelingsfitnesswinterwonder is not only about braving the winter, it's about finding the beauty in it too. It's a way to make the most of what the indoors have to offer while also counting down the weeks until spring sends us back outdoors again! Hibernate Happily my friends! 

​Share in the comments below how YOU Hibernate Happily!

Exercise 4 Emotions:
(I map out each week & either pencil in exercise or use post its, so that I can alter the schedule as needed. This way I always get 3-5 days of exercise on the calendar no matter what life throws my way.)
__ 2-3 days of cardio
         ___ Treadmill
         ___ Spin class
__ 3 days yoga
        ___ Home video: Yoga with Adriene
        ___ Studio class
__ Daily yoga(stretch + meditation + journal)
       ___ Simple sequence(full body stretch, reclined pigeon, happy baby,         cat/cow, downward dog, child's pose, etc.)
           ___ Meditation(mantra + visual of the day ahead)
           ___ High Performance Habits Planner - hourly schedule + gratitude