Over the years I have taken part in several fitness routines. Forty years ago I led aerobics classes at a women’s spa. Women and men did not work out together then. In fact most people did not ‘work out’ at all— that stuff was for professional body builders.
When a coed gym opened in my area in early 80s, I was hired as a personal trainer, helping people use the nautilus equipment properly and develop a routine that best suited their needs. My aerobics experience was all that was needed because the field was so new.
I started running then too, and literally vomited during the first run. I was so out of shape despite my youth and the above^! Did not quit, but definitely learned to adjust my activity to accommodate my current ability. Walk, run, walk, run, walk and gradually increase speed and duration… same as weight lifting. Never ran a marathon but a half hour through the park always boosts my mood. Hiking and cycling are great too.
Flash forward to when I can consider any self care, or ten years later when my youngest of three is in school. My friends and I would take musical classes at the gym using free weights. It combined aerobics with strength training and is still my favorite way to get in a complete physical workout. But it is physically taxing, and so once the habit is broken after illness, injury, or life getting too busy… it is hard to restart. Currently I have started watching youtube videos and taking the classes at home, without the weights. After this sedentary year any movement is a challenge!
Which brings me to the topic: the breath. Lately I have become increasingly immersed in studying the benefits and practices around the breath, and there are many of both. Breathing is an activity that requires nothing! It can be done in bed, in the shower, at a meeting, anywhere and anytime. Last year I started a qigong practice and am now using some of the postures in the circuit. It is my goal now to get certified as a qigong instructor to share the benefits of this practice with others when we can gather again. Highly recommend finding a lesson at home on youtube and checking it out! It will be the new aerobics lol
Even if you cannot do the movements just now, follow the breath.
#selfcare #qigong #breathe #wellness #stayafloat
Stayafloat Wellness 