“Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It’s not a day when you lounge around doing nothing; it’s when you’ve had everything to do, and you’ve done it.” -Margaret Thatcher

My 5 year old nephew was visiting from New Jersey last week, and we were chatting one evening while I made dinner. At one point, he looked at a big bowl of lemons I had sitting on the counter, and said to me in his wise little kindergarten voice, “You could make lemonade out of those lemons.”

Wow! At five years old, my little buddha nephew has already figured out one of the keys to a happy life.

Turning lemons into lemonade is a life lesson we’ve all used to navigate the chronic stress and anxiety that often greets us in the morning when the alarm clock sounds. But I’ve made homemade lemonade before, and I know that it doesn’t taste good if it’s overly sweet. Add too much sugar, and you end up with a syrupy slurry minus that zing of great citrus flavor. Fresh squeezed lemonade tastes best when it has some POP! That tart edginess that makes you smack your lips when you reach the bottom of the glass.

Most of us would agree that a life well lived is like that. Sure, we love to cast stress as the villain. If only things would run more smoothly with no big surprises, we’d be happier and more content.

But let’s be honest. We really aren’t happy unless we’re living slightly on the edge–just a tad bit out of our comfort zone. Tackling big projects at work, challenging ourselves with new experiences, or overcoming unforeseen obstacles are things that motivate us and give us an opportunity to become our best selves.

Stress, for better or worse, gives life the zest! pop! and ping! that makes us feel alive and engaged in the world.

The problem is, stress can also kill. Managed poorly, it can follow us through our days zapping our energy, robbing us of sleep, and leaving us feeling anxious and overwhelmed. It is one of the biggest reasons why we turn to unhealthy behaviors like overeating, skipping the gym, or zoning out in front of bad reality TV (yes, that last one is me).

So, let’s get back to the lemonade.

We don’t always have a choice about how much “sour” creeps into our lives. But countless studies suggest that making healthy choices in the way we eat, breathe and move our way through adversity can help us not only manage, but truly embrace this unpredictable, imperfect life of ours. It’s like stocking the pantry shelves with plenty of sugar, so that we’re ready for the big day when the lemon tree out back comes into bloom.

Here are my favorite strategies for striking just the right balance between “sweet” and “sour:”

Eat: We all know that this is our “go to” coping strategy when things get a little out of hand. Eating gives us something to do and can be comforting when we are feeling overwhelmed. But eating the wrong things, or eating too much, never turns out good. Recently, I heard an intuitive eating expert share the importance of making all foods “equally accessible.” She suggested making stress busting foods like calming teas and cut up fruits and veggies just as easy grab as the cookies and caffeine sitting around the house. Make these foods your first stop, and then if you need something more, allow yourself a small indulgence.

Breathe: Breathing and meditation are proven ways to ease the uncomfortable thoughts and feelings that accompany stress. But many people, myself included, are not natural meditators. Start by choosing an activity you do often throughout the day–for me it’s driving the car or working on the computer. Each time you do this activity, take three or four deep cleansing breaths. This simple practice encourages the breath to be the calming influence you turn to when you feel your anxiety level rising.

Move: Make time to move. Even a brisk walk can ease anxious feelings or boost your energy when you’re feeling down. And while 10 minutes of light activity is a valid prescription for stress reduction, a workout that pushes you to sweat and challenge your limits can get the feel good hormones flowing and give you a powerful sense of accomplishment at the end.

As Margaret Thatcher says, we feel most satisfied with life when our head hits the pillow at the end of a busy day, and we have a story or two to tell about how we got through it. But like those fresh lemons sitting in the bowl on my counter, that crazy busy life of yours needs balance. Taking care of yourself by making healthy food choices, learning to breathe through stress, and moving your body on a regular basis will all help to make your life–lemons and all–that much sweeter.

Meg Root is an ACE certified Advanced Health and Fitness Specialist with over 25 years in the fitness and spa industry.

With fun new aqua fitness classes headed your way, (read, “New Aqua Classes Coming Soon”), Meg Root gives you a few good reasons why you should join the fitness party in the Lap Pool during your next visit to Glen Ivy.

Two Guys and A Swimming Pool: A Few Good Reasons to Mix Exercise With Water

I was standing on the deck of the lap pool as two buff guys walked down the steps into the water and started paddling around. These were not just your run-of-the-mill, in shape kinda guys. Maybe they were professional athletes, I don’t know. But they had four perfectly sculpted shoulders between them, two sets of bulging biceps, at least a twelve pack for abs–and maybe 3% body fat. You do the math. These guys were perfect specimens of male . . .

No, this is not a blog about guy watching at Glen Ivy.

I was setting up poolside, for my 11am AquaFit class, and these hard bodies were about to be two of my students.

Meet the new face of aquatic fitness! As we say in the business, “It’s not just for ladies in swimming caps anymore.”

Worn out stereotypes about aqua fitness and the people who participate are finally disappearing, as word gets out that these workouts are great for all fitness levels. The inherent properties of water–things like buoyancy, viscosity, and drag–mean that working out in this liquid environment can be enjoyable and forgiving on the joints, or challenging and punishing on the body–depending on your reasons for taking the plunge.

With the warm sunny weather headed our way, and 16 pools of all shapes and sizes spread out over the Glen Ivy property, we have one pool that will be rocking the house with a variety of aqua fitness classes this summer.  If your usual trip to the hot springs has always been about kicking back with a cold drink and a good book, I’m here to give you five compelling reasons to leave your floaty in the Lounge Pool behind–at least for a little while–and come join the fitness pool party in the central pool:

Reason #1: It’s fun! Music you can sing to, movements that are easy to follow, and a group of people ready to have a good time means that you will have no option but to leave the pool with a big smile on your face.

Reason #2: It feels good! If you have low back pain, joint issues, or have not always felt light on your feet, exercising can be, well–miserable. Submerge yourself in a few thousand gallons of warm, buoyant water though, and you will begin to feel like you’ve come down with a curious case of the “Benjamin Buttons.”

Reason #3: It’s great for cross training! Are you into high intensity workouts like running, bootcamp, or PX90? While these amped up workouts can help you see quick results, put yourself through that every day and you’ll risk burnout or injury. Aqua fitness classes give you the opportunity to push yourself just as hard without the impact on your joints.

Reason #4: It’s a time saver! Head to your local gym and you’ll need a separate exercise for each muscle group–by my count, 10-12, not including core work. Jump in a pool with 360º  resistance, and you get two exercises for the price of one. Biceps on the way up, triceps on the way down. Best of all, maintaining good posture in the water means ALL core, ALL the time.

Reason #5: It works! I know what you’re thinking: “This workout better deliver or I may as well head back to my floaty with a drink in my hand.” Aqua fitness classes are at the top of the calorie burning list, not to mention they hit every muscle group in your body including the heart muscle keeping you alive.

Amazing things happen when you mix exercise with water. It’s a foolproof recipe for wellness that can last you a lifetime. But just in case my five reasons are not convincing enough for you, I’ll give you a couple more. Those two guys I told you about earlier–they were not the only two good looking guys I’ve seen in class before. It could be that your prince charming is waiting for you in an aqua aerobics class. Now that could be good for your health!

Meg Root is an ACE certified Advanced Health and Fitness Specialist with over 25 years in the fitness and spa industry.

Our February Challenge for you this month is “Making Time to Build Meaningful Relationships.”  In her fitness blog, Meg Root shows you how to become your best and most supportive “fitness friend.” Now, how convenient is that?

Who Goes There? Fitness Friend or Fitness Foe?

GIRL IN SEARCH OF WORKOUT PARTNER. Out of shape working mom of two young boys, average body type, below average motivation, seeking similar for regular workouts and emotional support.

It isn’t news that having a fitness buddy increases your chances of long term success when trying to make positive lifestyle changes. But connecting with just the right person can be like posting your profile on a matchmaking website and hoping to find the perfect mate. You need someone who will get you out of bed before the kids get up, but won’t be too perky at 6am in the morning. They need to enjoy similar activities, but can’t be better at them than you are. It would also help if they carried excess baggage in the same areas, so you wouldn’t feel insecure working out next to them. But most of all, your ideal fitness friend would offer support and compassion when you stumble along the way or get discouraged when results are slow to come.

What if I told you that there is a perfect match for you, and you need to look no further than your bathroom mirror? Yes. That perfect fitness friend is YOU!

Ok. Except for one small teensy thing.

That last little part about being supportive when times get tough and offering gentle encouragement after you blow through a box of Girl Scout cookies at 9:30 at night. That’s the part most of us can’t seem to get right.  One little slip off the wagon and we come out with guns blazing. “What a failure! You’re such a fat, lazy, loser! You will never reach your goals!” Sounds a little harsh, huh? I’m not exaggerating.

That soft voice of support and reason you would use for a good friend in a similar situation, is nowhere to be found when it comes to talking yourself down from a Thin Mint cookie rush. Instead of being your best fitness friend, you become your biggest fitness foe.

But what if there was a better way? And what if you were the one you could go to for help? Wouldn’t that be convenient?

According to Dr. Kristin Neff, author of Self Compassion, Stop Beating Yourself Up and Leave Insecurity Behind, that better way is practicing self-compassion. It recognizes that life is imperfect and people are imperfect. Therefore, we need to accept struggle and challenge as inevitable, and be gentle with ourselves when we don’t measure up to some standard set by ourselves or society.

Nowhere is this more true than when traveling the path of positive lifestyle change. After all, the quest to lose weight or get our body in shape (whatever “in shape” looks like), is about as imperfect as the five day weather forecast. Weight loss is never linear, and doesn’t really equate to calories in vs. calories out like all the magazines tell us. And when you finally lose that last stubborn 10 pounds through sheer effort, will, and great personal sacrifice, you look in the mirror  only to discover that it came off of your chest and not your abs. Before you know it, that “mean girl” voice is berating you all over again.

Neff says, that practicing self-compassion means that you respond versus react to adversity by talking to yourself with gentle, supportive language. For example, “I can see how frustrated you are that the numbers on the scale haven’t budged this week. It sure would have felt rewarding to see some results from all your hard work.” Her research found that people who used this approach suffered less from anxiety and depression, and showed increased motivation and desire to reach their full potential. Not surprising, this is precisely the inner landscape we need to cultivate in order to make better and more consistent lifestyle choices.

But is it possible to shut down your “mean girl” voice, and turn up the volume on your “best fitness friend?” Dr. Neff’s website self-compassion.org, outlines a three pronged approach to practicing self-compassion:

Mindfulness. Tune into the emotions you feel around a particular event such as a diet slip up. As Neff points out, “You can’t heal what you can’t feel.” Be open and receptive to your thoughts and feelings without judgement or criticism. See them just as they are, no more, or no less.

Common Humanity. Recognize that you are not alone in your struggle. While it is not necessarily good news, at least 33% of our population is struggling with the same diet and exercise issues you are! This understanding of shared human experience, will help you feel less alone and more willing to support yourself.

Self kindness: Step up and be the fabulous fitness friend you’re seeking. Hold yourself accountable (no, Neff reassures, practicing self-compassion does not lead to being too easy on yourself), but be kind, caring, and supportive through every step and misstep of the process.

Self-compassion is such an important piece of the wellness puzzle, I wish I could say,

“There’s an app for that!”  If only we could tap the screen on our PDA, when a bag of M&M’s seems like the answer to all our problems, and hear the gentle voice of reason encouraging us to take a better path.  With a little practice, Dr. Neff says, you can become that voice. And best of all, “The great thing about self compassion is that you are always there, 24/7, to give you help when you need it the most.”

When it comes to your wellness goals, which are you–fitness friend or fitness foe? Let us know how you help yourself over the inevitable rough spots that come with making big lifestyle changes. Your story might just be what helps another reader get back on track.

Meg Root is an ACE certified Advanced Health and Fitness Specialist with over 25 years in the fitness and spa industry.

I’ve read a dozen articles this season about the wonders of giving fitness gifts during the holidays. “The gift of fitness is something you can give to virtually anyone on your list,” one author proclaimed. “After all, who doesn’t want to look better, feel better, and live a healthier lifestyle,” another one argued.

Bah Humbug!

Let’s be realistic: Giving the gift of fitness is not as easy as it seems. I know from personal experience. Not only did I give my husband a fitness dud last year–a high tech heart rate monitor that ended up in the bottom of his sock drawer–but I’ve also sold many personal training packages to well meaning spouses that never got used.

Gift giving at any time of year can be tricky. According to marketing experts, Davy Lerouge and Luk Waldrop, who have studied how we give gifts to people close to us, we often use our own attitudes to predict what our friends and loved ones will enjoy, and then go on to choose gifts based on these preconceived ideas. Add to that the emotional baggage surrounding lifestyle habits, body image, and lack of confidence in the exercise department, and your fitness gift of a shiny new treadmill with a bright red bow on it, may be received more like a big lump of coal in the toe of a Christmas stocking.

I fell into this trap when I gave my husband a heart rate monitor last year. While I thought that a trendy fitness gadget might nudge him back to a running program he seemed to enjoy during less stressful times, it turned out to be just one more thing to add to his already full plate.

Don’t let my fitness gifting faux pas stop you from giving it a try though. I still believe that fitness gifts around the holidays can be both fun and meaningful. Start by setting aside your preconceived notions of what the receiver should want in the health and fitness department, and focus instead on what would really make them happy. Need a few ideas? Here are my tips and suggestions for scoring the perfect fitness gift for just about anyone on the fitness spectrum.

For the “I hate to exercise!”

Don’t even go there. This is probably the worst time of year to remind someone with a gift, that they need to exercise or eat a healthier diet. (I’m thinking stay away from a pedometer, a scale, or a year’s supply of Healthy Choice meals) Instead, why not plant the seed of wellness with a gift card for a massage or spa day.  This says, “I care about you. It’s time to put yourself first. Go enjoy the day—I’ve got the kids!”

For the “fitness shy.”

Gym memberships, personal training sessions and fitness equipment can seem wonderfully extravagant, but can be overwhelming for a beginner exerciser. What do I wear? What do I do when I get there? Will the personal trainer kill me during my session? Instead, look for clues that might lead you in a better direction. Do they watch Dancing With the Stars each week and dream of being on the show? Why not salsa lessons or a class card for Zumba classes? (Their tag line is, “Ditch the Workout, Join the Party!) Fitness newbies respond well to “fitness in disguise.” Think fun, not exercise, and you have this one in the bag.

For the “fitness fanatic.”

Time to pull out the gadgets and put a little bling into their workout. Fitness warriors are always on the hunt for something to take their workout to the next level. Jennifer, a marketing manager at Glen Ivy Hot Springs, received a pair of Nike running shoes from a friend, complete with a snazzy sensor in the heel to track her workouts. While she loved the shoes, she re-gifted the sensor to her husband who loves that sort of thing. Other cutting edge gifts for this set include a TRX Trainer, barefoot running shoes, and yes, even a heart rate monitor–especially if comes decked out with a GPS system.

There’s no doubt that fitness gift giving can be perilous, especially at a stressful time of year when we are most aware of our fitness limitations and shortcomings. On the other hand, consider the positive potential of a fitness gift well-given. It may be that your gift reconnects the recipient with how wonderful life feels when they take good care of their health. Focus your attention on the happiness of your recipient, and meet them where they are on the fitness continuum, and your fitness gift will be, without question, as fun to receive as it is to give.

Meg Root is an ACE certified Advanced Health and Fitness Specialist with over 25 years in the fitness and spa industry.

“Go ahead! Eat whatever you want on Thanksgiving Day! Forget sticking to your diet. Pull up to the table and savor the delicious turkey feast with your family and friends.”

I know, this is not the typical holiday eating advice you might expect to hear from a certified wellness professional like myself. It may even border on being irresponsible–even reprehensible! But this month’s Glen Ivy Challenge, “Practicing Gratitude,” got me thinking: If people who practice gratitude on a regular basis are happier as studies suggest they are, does that mean they are healthier too? And if that’s the case, maybe the practice of gratitude during the upcoming holiday season is a better wellness strategy than depriving yourself of your favorite foods or counting the calories in a slice of pumpkin pie.

As it turns out, the answer to my question is, “Yes!”  According to Dr. Robert Emmonds, a psychology professor at University of California Davis and author of Thanks! How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier, practicing gratitude or “a felt sense of wonder, thankfulness, and appreciation for life,” is not only good for your mental health, but also improves your physical health as well.  Participants in his gratitude studies showed improvements in their health status like sleeping longer hours and experiencing a better quality of sleep. They also had fewer symptoms of malaise such as headaches, nausea, and pain. The most exciting aspect of his research though, showed that these individuals also made better lifestyle choices. Emmonds explains, “Grateful people take better care of themselves and engage in more protective health behaviors like regular exercise, a healthy diet, and regular physical examinations.”  In other words, people who recognize and feel appreciation for life’s gifts choose to take better care of themselves.

Finding the motivation to choose healthier behaviors is at the heart of lasting lifestyle change. That’s why the “gratitude approach” to better health makes sense to me. Many people I talk to about beginning an exercise program or eating a healthier diet say, “I know what I need to do, I just don’t do it!” They feel at a loss as to why they repeatedly sabotage their diets or can’t stick to their program. Moreover, their confusion is frequently laced with negative self talk that eventually becomes a barrier to their success.

By its very nature, gratitude practice requires you to perform an about face away from focusing on what isn’t working, to an appreciation for what is.  Feeling bad about not going to the gym because you were held up at work, turns into feeling good about the twenty minute walk you took when you got home. And as Emmonds points out, this mental shift gives you a positive framework for living life where you are able to take control over your happiness levels.

So, with the busy holiday season upon us, and those pesky New Years resolutions following close behind, why not take a different approach this year. Lay the foundation for a year of better choices by trying my gratitude practice with a “healthy twist” during the month ahead:

• Connect with the good in your day. Start a simple gratitude journal today with the tips we provided in our recent blog post, Creating a Gratitude Journal. Try including a few entries that recognize the healthy choices you have made during your day–no matter how small.
• Connect with a sense of appreciation and thankfulness for your health and your ability to move about and do all the things you love to do. Begin to think about the healthy choices you can make in the New Year to improve your health status.
• Connect with your support system. Who are the people around you–family, friends and co-workers–who can become part of your wellness team next year? Just think, if they are on your team, you are on their team. Two healthy people for the price of one!

OK, gratitude practice won’t eliminate all the calories on your Thanksgiving plate. But approaching life with a positive outlook and a spirit of thanksgiving could mean that taking better care of yourself in the New Year comes more naturally to you. So, while I did’t really mean “Eat whatever you what this Thanksgiving,” go ahead and enjoy the turkey dressing and sweet potato pie. Just make sure there is a healthy dose of gratitude served up in between.

Meg Root is an ACE certified Advanced Health and Fitness Specialist with over 25 years in the fitness and spa industry.

“Motivation is the push. Inspiration is the pull.” —Natalie DeBruin

A few years ago, my sister-in-law’s good friend called her with an invitation. Would Lynn join her and a group of friends to walk 60 miles in a Susan G. Komen Foundation 3-Day For The Cure? The plan would be to meet regularly and train for the event, then cross the finish line together in celebration of her 15 year anniversary of being cancer free.  “At first it sounded overwhelming,” said Lynn. “I was exercising a little bit at the time, but this was 60 miles of walking over 3 days! I was not sure I would be able to do it, but how could I say no?”

As it turned out, her friend’s triumph over breast cancer was the inspiration Lynn needed to take on a bold fitness challenge. And with that seed of inspiration, came a strong sense of motivation to train consistently toward her goal for six months. As Deepak Chopra, well-know spirituality author suggests, “Instead of motivation, look for inspiration. Inspiration comes from the same word as spirit. When you are inspired, the spirit moves you.”

When it comes to beginning an exercise program, many of us are hard pressed to find the motivation to get started. But exercising for a cause you really care about could be just the internal “tug” you need to get moving.  While the primary goal of these events is to raise money and awareness for a particular organization, it certainly would not be selfish if you raised your fitness level at the same time! Events such as 3-Day For The Cure or the Leukemia Society’s Team in Training, not only provide a memorable experience, but often have all the ingredients that ensure your new and improved fitness program lasts long after you cross the finish line.

A Specific Goal: Perhaps you’ve heard the term “SMART’ goals—Specific, Measurable, Action oriented, Realistic and Timed with a deadline. With a date, time and distance to commit to, you have a SMART goal on steroids! There will be no turning back after you hit the “Sign Me Up” button on your computer.

Free Guidance and Training Advice: Many people don’t exercise because they don’t know how to get started. Visit a charity event’s website and you will see that once you sign on, you will have access to progressive training programs, e-mail reminders, certified coaches and other virtual training support free of charge.

Built In Support System: One of the biggest indicators of ongoing success in any fitness endeavor is the strength of your support system.  Lynn’s training team met two to three times each week to walk together. She acknowledged that having a set time and a group of people waiting for her helped her stay committed to her goal.

Success! Three days, 60 miles, and two sore feet later, Lynn crossed the finish line with an enormous sense of accomplishment. “Knowing that I completed the distance along with thousands of other people, some still fighting their disease, made me feel incredible. I also felt proud to have helped raise over 8 million dollars to support breast cancer research and community programs.”

In the end, Lynn accomplished her original goal of supporting her friend’s journey back to good health and raising money for an important cause. At the same time, she acknowledged that she also stepped up her own fitness program. “I noticed that my endurance improved while training for the event, and to this day, my group of friends and I still meet for coffee and our weekly walk.”

Lynn’s story demonstrates that we are often nudged to get moving because of someone else’s story. But ultimately, the push to keep moving comes from discovering our own. While my pragmatic side loves the idea that exercising for a cause could inspire more people to get moving, I can’t help but be “moved” on a deeper level by the wellness lessons inherent in an experience like hers.

As Lynn walked the streets of Philadelphia with thousands of like minded people, she felt a deep sense of gratitude for her own good health. “Watching a husband push his wife in a wheelchair along the course for three days, made me realize how lucky I was to be able to walk the distance myself.”

Are you inspired by Lynn’s story or have a similar story of your own? Why not join our monthly challenge for October and “Find A Cause” that moves you. We’d love to hear and share your inspiring stories with our readers. You never know who will make that important connection because of you.

Meg Root is an ACE certified Advanced Health and Fitness Specialist with over 25 years in the fitness and spa industry.

The Glen Ivy Monthly Challenge is celebrating National Yoga Month in September. Check back every Tuesday & Thursday for a new Yoga Pose.

Lying Spine Twist

Lying Spine Twist will gently stretch the muscles of your lower back after a long day on your feet.

• Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
• Bring your knees and ankles together so that they are touching.
• Extend your arms out at shoulder height, palms facing up.
• On an exhalation, lower your knees to the left. Keep your right shoulder down on the floor as you twist.
• Gently turn your head and look over the right shoulder.
• Remain in the pose for 30 seconds to a minute and then repeat on the other side.

Meg Root Glen Ivy Fitness Expert says…

DID YOU KNOW? Over the last year we have added Weekend Retreats to the Guest Program offerings at Glen Ivy Hot Springs. These 3-day health and wellness workshops are hosted in partnership with the neighboring Glen Ivy Retreat Center. A typical retreat schedule includes seminar time with guest presenter, spa time, fitness and meditation classes, meals, and accommodations. To learn more visit glenivy.com/retreats.

The Glen Ivy Monthly Challenge is celebrating National Yoga Month in September. Check back every Tuesday & Thursday for a new Yoga Pose.

Tree Pose

Tree Pose is a standing pose that challenges you to balance on one foot. Late in the afternoon, it can bring renewed calm and focus to the rest of your day. Use your chair to help you balance if needed.

• Stand with your feet together.
• Shift your weight to your left leg and bring the sole of your right foot to the inside of the left leg. Position your foot on the lower leg if you are a beginner.
• Avoid placing the foot directly against the knee.
• Stay in the pose for 20-30 seconds.
• Repeat on the other side.

Download this Yoga Pose and tips as a printable PDF.

Meg Root Glen Ivy Fitness Expert says…

DID YOU KNOW? Increased flexibility and strength can help prevent the causes of some types of back pain. Many people who suffer from back pain spend a lot of time sitting at a computer or driving a car. That can cause tightness and spinal compression, which you can begin to address with yoga. Yoga also improves your alignment, both in and out of class, which helps prevent many other types of pain.

Well, we’re half way through Yoga Month and I’m wondering how many of you have given it a try? There is a popular saying in yoga, “Practice with a beginner’s mind.” So if fear or uncertainty are holding you back, then don’t worry. You are guaranteed success your first time out!

Surprisingly, I can still recall the first yoga class I took over twenty years ago. Though I initially felt intimidated by the skillfulness of the other students in class (and somewhat by the strictness of the teacher!), I remember leaving the class with a sense that I had stumbled upon something that would transform not just the way I worked “out,” but the way I worked “in.” Turns out, I was right. The positive feelings I felt, but could not pinpoint back then, are now being validated by real science. More and more studies are revealing the health and wellness benefits of yoga.

So, don’t let yoga month slip by without using our handy Beginner’s Guide to yoga to help get your started. In addition to a brief overview of yoga, I have linked you up with Seraphina’s glossary of yoga terminology and guide to yoga styles. We hope these tools will help you navigate your first yoga experience with confidence.

What is Yoga?

Yoga’s history can be traced back thousands of years to India, where it originated as a philosophy and spiritual practice that permeated India culture and life. In Sanskrit, the word yoga, means “union” or “yoke,”  or to join or bring together. Simply put, the practice of yoga aims to bring together the body, mind and spirit in order to gain a deeper understanding and connection with oneself. Unlike a typical fitness based class where you may find yourself doing bicep curls and making your grocery list at the same time, yoga practice strives for the opposite. It asks you to bring your full attention and awareness to the experience (leave the grocery list for later), and be fully present in your practice. With practice, that’s why it is called “a practice”, the benefits then reach beyond the physical or cosmetic, and have a positive effect on your life as a whole.

While many original writings on yoga contained very little about the physical postures or poses (asanas), here in the Western part of the world, we probably recognize yoga most for the physical practice of the postures and the health and wellness benefits that can be enjoyed from regular practice.  As a beginner, you will soon realize that there are a variety of yoga styles that can be explored and practiced.  Finding a comfortable fit for yourself is an important first step in your yoga journey. While some styles focus more on the physical postures and improving aspects of fitness such as strength and flexibility, others may place more emphasis on breath work or meditation.

Why Has Yoga Become some Popular?

Maybe it is one of those, “right place at the right time,” kinda things, but it seems yoga’s time has come.  Feeling overwhelmed by the pace and pressures of life these days, people are seeking remedies to the stress or anxiety they may be feeling. Individuals facing chronic health challenges are also searching for alternatives to conventional treatments. Even health researchers and health care professionals are becoming more open to the possible role yoga may play in treating lifestyle related diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. The health and wellness benefits of yoga are no longer just anecdotal, but instead are being validated through science and research.

Get beyond the science though, and yoga can be just plain fun. As Timothy McCall, M.D. says in his book, Yoga As Medicine, “Most people who do it (yoga) regularly discover that yoga gets more interesting over time. I don’t know anybody who feels that way about stomach crunches.” Read further in his book and he will give you “40 Ways Yoga Heals,” including improving joint health, brain function, bone health, blood sugar levels, and psychological health to name just a few.

But perhaps one of the biggest reasons why the yoga population is growing these days, is that many are beginning to see it as an opportunity to be a participant in their own health and wellbeing. There is a sense of empowerment that comes from deepening your practice over time and knowing that you are playing an active role in your own health outcomes.

How To Get Started

Convinced enough to give it a try? Southern California is a mecca for yoga studios, so a quick web search should point you in the right direction. A visit to Glen Ivy during the remainder of Yoga Month is also a great opportunity to experience yoga in a beginner friendly environment. Not only that, we teach our yoga classes on the beautiful sprawling front lawn. How often do you get the opportunity to blend yoga with the great outdoors and then enjoy soaking your muscles in a warm hot springs! We also have a few exciting specialty yoga presenters lined up, if you would like to add some variety to your practice:

• Saturday,  September 17th: Theta Yoga, a gentle blend of Hatha Yoga and Theta Healing with Anke Banderski.
• Tuesday, September 20th: Aqua Yoga, a buoyant and lighthearted approach to yoga in the water.
• Friday, September 23rd: Inner Yoga, Holly Holliday Hill helps you learn how to connect with your own best teacher in this fun and transformational class.

Though yoga will be around long after Yoga Month 2011 is over, there is no better time to get your “beginners mind” to class. As always, we’d love to hear your yoga stories. We always find that your experiences in our monthly challenges are the one’s that are most inspiring to other readers. Let us know how you are doing. Namaste!

Meg Root

Meg Root is an ACE Certified Advanced Health and Fitness Specialist who works as a wellness educator and personal trainer in Corona, California. She has enjoyed the benefits of a personal yoga practice for over twenty years, with her primary focus on the Iyengar style of yoga, which puts specific emphasis on proper alignment in the yoga postures.  She has completed yoga teacher training workshops through UC Riverside Extension, and has also attended Iyengar Yoga training workshops with Senior Iyengar Yoga Teachers,  Manouso Manos and Dean Lerner.

Seated Spine Twist At Your Desk

This posture is great for lengthening the spine and giving a gentle massage to the digestive organs.

• Sit tall in your chair with your feet flat on the floor hip distance apart.
• Place your right hand on the seat of the chair behind you. Place your left hand across on your right knee.
• As you exhale, slowly rotate to your right moving your abdomen, ribcage, chest, then your head in that order. Stay and breath for 3-5 breaths before returning to center.
• Repeat in the other direction.

Download this Yoga Pose and tips as a printable PDF.

Meg Root Glen Ivy Fitness Expert says…
DID YOU KNOW? Glen Ivy Hot Springs offers a number of yoga classes every week. All fitness levels are welcome, and classes are no charge, included with your paid spa admission. Spa guests also have the opportunity to explore other styles of yoga with special presenters, such as Aqua Yoga, Partner Yoga, and Theta Yoga. The options vary monthly and we urge you to check the Events and Activities schedule at glenivy.com/events.