WELLBEING PILLAR No.1
INTRODUCING - RIGHT EXERCISE!
Last week I set the scene around the value of establishing some key well-being pillars to live your life by. This week we are focusing on the first of the five, right exercise.
Now, we all instinctively know the importance of daily exercise, and yet not so many of us adhere to a regular routine, sighting, time, money, motivation and lack of understanding as reasons not to move our bodies. So, let me remind you of the many benefits that you could start to see very quickly once you adopt a healthy attitude toward exercise and start to consider it a non-negotiable in your daily routine. Firstly, there’s the obvious benefit for your physical body, keeping weight in check, moving your joints, muscles and bones to help us feel strong, mobile and ward against osteoporosis and broken bones. Our organs and nervous system get a boost, helping with our digestion and regulating our mood and sleep patterns. Exercise can help to reduce symptoms of pain and of course is great for your heart! Then there’s the benefit to our brains, we really feel better for it, more happy, motivated and uplifted. We have a joie de vivre, that goes hand in hand with a wonderful sense of satisfaction and self-confidence. And it helps us live longer!
Of course, you already know all of this, and yet I wonder if you’re one of the millions of people who do little to help themselves through exercise despite their intellectual understanding of the extensive list of benefits. Here’s my advice, firstly take a good honest look at why you don’t. Many people ironically don’t exercise for fear of feeling embarrassed about their lack of fitness or trim frame. They may feel ashamed about their lack of designer gear or their mince pie belly. If that’s you I suggest you take a leaf out of the very brilliant book ‘A Liberated Mind’ by Steven Hayes and “Build in tiny amounts of exercise everywhere you go’. Start right now and be creative, use your bag or a carton of milk to practice some biceps curls, stand up and rise to your tip toes and back down again for balance, practice some squats as you wait for the kettle to boil, run up the stairs. After a week or so of this you might find you like it and want to step it up a little. The point here is to start and let the body know it’s important to you and is being cared for.
Next, I suggest you invest in yourself and seek the advice of a skilled, trained, experienced teacher or trainer to help you develop your repertoire and increase your stamina. We are blessed with some fantastic teachers in Tunbridge Wells, and I encourage you to seek them out. We are all a friendly welcoming bunch, and our aim is to help you out, whatever your starting point. When looking for a PT, Pilates or Yoga Teacher please be courageous and check their qualifications. You’re looking for someone that has been well trained and is experienced to help you both safely and effectively. If you’re looking to start yoga, then do come and see me. I offer 1-2-1 yoga sessions that are fully bespoke and entirely tailored to you and your present needs and limitations. I love nothing more than a challenge and have a very strong understanding of the anatomy of the body and mind. I have been teaching yoga since 2010 and am also a BACP recognised counsellor and psychotherapist. If you’re looking for a more PT approach, I highly recommend Sarah Gorman at Blendfit who, is also exceptionally knowledgeable, experienced and an all-round wonderful person.
The main takeaway is to MOVE every day, however, whenever or whatever you do. It’ll make you feel better, bring a smile to your face and enhance your overall holistic wellbeing.
If you would like to start yoga get in touch with us at Flow, we can arrange some 1-2-1 sessions with Lucy to build your confidence and awareness or you can purchase our Intro Pack for only £40 giving you four one-hour group classes to try.
RECAP - The 5 pillars are:
1. Right Exercise
2. Right Breathing
3. Right Thinking
4. Right Nutrition
5. Right Relaxation
