That is until now.
Tired of attempting to run around the block and being by myself during this trying time, I decided to look up a few alternative ways to exercise. I managed to convince one of my friends to come with me and try out a few of these classes, and surprisingly I had the time of my life!
So, of course I have to share these exercises with you and encourage all you women out there to pick at least one and give it a try!
Yoga
I took my very first Yoga class without any experience and found it beautiful, calming, and peaceful all at the same time. I felt graceful for one of the first times in my life (I did stumble a bit on a few of the positions).
Yoga is concentrated on traditional methods from India that is composed around movement and breathing. Yoga, though it looks simple enough, can be deceptive and does require practice and patience. During a Yoga class, you hold a number of positions that are designed to increase your flexibility and strength. Staying relaxed throughout Yoga poses is one of its most important concepts.
There are various types of Yoga classes available. Some Yoga classes go through each position quickly and are intended to increase your heart rate. Other classes focus on building your strength by holding poses for a set amount of time.
No matter what type of Yoga class you choose it is a positive way to not only increase your fitness level, but handle everyday stress.
Pilates
When I was younger I took a few Pilates classes and I have no idea why I gave it up. Pilates is somewhat like Yoga when it comes down to holding poses to increase your strength. The biggest contrast between the two is the type of breathing used during the exercises: Pilates uses breathing to focus on endurance, while Yoga uses linking breaths and movement.
Another key difference is that Pilates can seem to be a little bit more intense. Pilates moves away from being relaxed and meditating and travels to strengthening your core muscles. Your core muscles are your lower abs and the muscles along the side of your abdomen. These muscles are really important when performing a Pilates exercise since they support you and assist you in maintaining your posture.
Belly Dancing
I have to admit my friend had to drag me, push me, and shove me into this class. As you might have guessed, I am not an extremely graceful person and I have stayed away from dancing as much as possible. Overall though, this class was my absolute favorite!
Unbeknown to me, Belly Dancing has become very popular among women as a fun form of exercise. Most women, including me, find that Belly Dancing lifts their confidence and comfort within their own bodies. Best of all, most Belly Dancing classes do not require to you to show your belly. Athletic wear is perfectly acceptable. Some women choose to wear a coin belt or scarf around there waist to make them more aware of their hip movement.
The main focus in Belly Dancing is isolating and learning how to move different muscles one at a time. Belly Dancing strengthens with ongoing repetition, just like Pilates and Yoga. Belly Dancing can be an extreme aerobic activity depending on the class level.
A great plus with taking Belly Dancing classes is that it helps improve your rhythm, posture, and coordination.
Jessica DeVader http://fatlossforwomen.org Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jessica_DeVader |
No comments:
Post a Comment