Receiving

Earlier this week I wrote a post for my own blog at The Inspired Classroom that connected a concept from yoga to my teaching. But there is a need for me to elaborate on this in terms of, well, exercise. It is the idea of receiving.

The Inspired Classroom's summer book group which is reading Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert spent a morning last week experiencing India as we had a private yoga session with Jeanne Russell of Portsmouth Center for Yoga and the Arts. One thing Jeanne kept coming back to was the idea of receiving. After we came out of a move she gave us a moment to pause saying, “…and we receive…,” at which time I would close my eyes and feel my body tingle amidst my surroundings. I had a sense of accomplishment. My whole body was happy to have been cared for, stretched and noticed. Jeanne went on to say that she likes to give people the opportunity to receive their movements so that they are not moving and rushing right into the next move. This truly resonated with me.

For the past few days I've been trying this idea out as I exercise. (My personal preference at this time in my life: exercise videos!) After I complete a set or interval or circuit, I close my eyes and take in a breath. It has really helped me to feel the good things I am doing as I exercise. I feel my muscles tingle, my lungs working and it gives me a really nice sense of accomplishment. It's a great time for visualization too. I visualize my muscles getting more toned, my fat melting away and my body getting stronger.

When I open my eyes, I'm revitalized to continue with the next thing. "Receiving" is actually something I look forward to as I move through my workout.

Hopefully some of you will try this and get something out of it as well. I am so happy to be part of #temt. Thanks Joan and all of the #temt team for having this blog and giving me new motivation. I'm looking forward to receiving more as we head out of summer and back to the school year!

@eliza_peterson :-)

Attitude Adjustment

I mentioned in my previous post here that I work out at Curves three times a week. I generally go Monday-Wednesday-Friday. So I wasn't even planning on working out today (Thursday). I came home much later than anticipated after a very trying day, not feeling like doing much of anything. I realized I was just full of frustration and maybe a workout would be helpful. Guess what! It was! When I checked in to CurvesSmart my results indicated that I worked way past my target for the workout, and stayed in "green" even on the machines that usually kick my butt. Seeing the results of my workout on the screen gave me an instant attitude adjustment.

My message for this short post: don't let a bad day be an excuse to not exercise, because it might be just what you need to change your frown upside-down!

Photo by lrargerich on Flickr

Find What You Love, and Do It!

A little over a year ago, I joined Curves. When I joined I committed myself to working out three times a week. And other than being sick, I have pretty consistently kept that promise to myself. Yes, I have days when I don't want to go, but I remind myself how good I feel when I'm done, and just get myself there. I chose Curves for several reasons (in no particular order):

1. location-less than a mile from my house
2. it's all women
3. it's only 30 minutes
4. I had done some weight-training years ago and really liked it.

I could have joined a more "traditional" gym for less money, but how much am I really saving if I don't work out? I really love the workout I get at Curves, and the people there are fun, too. My membership is an investment in me and my health. And what do investment advisors always say? Pay yourself first!

The best way to motivate yourself to work out consistently is to find something you enjoy, because then you will look forward to it. (Well, most of the time, anyway!)