As you probably know by now, I have been taking a koena probiotic supplement recently to feel healthier and help keep my gut health on track. It’s one of the many things I do to help maintain balance in my life, even when I am too busy to eat the right foods. I am also trying to add balance into areas of my life by trying things that are outside my comfort zone that may improve my health.
I’m going to admit something that will not make me very popular on a women’s site – I am a yoga hater. It is out there now for all of you to see. The challenge is that when you are trying to achieve more balance in your life and you look at the things that will help, yoga often tops the list. If a workout has been around for more than 5,000 years, there must be something to it. With more than 100 forms of the discipline out there, I struggled to find one that is right for me. I decided to do my research and narrowed it down to four different classes:
- Bikram: This practice is sometimes confused with hot yoga and consists of a 26 pose sequence. I would consult with a physician if you have high blood pressure or diabetes before trying Bikram. The heat is intense at 40.5° You will sweat…a lot…so bring a hand towel and your own mat. The heat does make the movements feel easier, but the class, at 90 minutes, felt very long. It will always be the same sequence of poses, which means that you will see a progression in your abilities if you stick to it.
- Ashtanga Yoga: Similar to Bikram, Ashtanga is a sequence of poses (6 to be exact). It is just as challenging as Bikram and is also 90 minutes. Classes do not take place in a heated room, so if you have issues with hot temperatures, this may be the one that is right for you.
- Hatha Yoga: This is the form that people most associate with yoga, consisting of deep breathing and basic movements. This class takes about 60 minutes. This is a great class for beginners due to the slow pace.
- Yin: Yin features deeper stretches and you hold poses for a much longer period of time versus all of the other forms that I tried. It is meant to target your deeper connective tissues and fascia, restoring length and elasticity. Unlike the other classes, props are used, but it did not make it feel complicated. The class was 60 minutes in length, but there are fewer classes offered at yoga studios.
So, which form did I end up connecting with? It is Yin for the win! The class, at 60 minutes, felt more manageable, and more relaxing. Making time for you is important, and if yoga is not your cup of tea, there are plenty of other ways to feel better and more balanced.
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