Yoga is the only kind of movement one needs. Is that true? Let’s look at a standard, garden-variety yoga class: inside a room, on a mat, for about an hour, two or three times a week. The student moves forward, back, bending, squatting, lunging, and some twisting. And while this IS beneficial and healthy, it does not fulfill the body’s movement needs.
Our bodies are missing out on other natural movements that are not typically part of a yoga class: running, walking, dancing, climbing, jumping, bouncing, moving side to side or backwards, and shaking. These movements occur naturally if we participate in other sports or leisure time hobbies. So we encourage having many activities that include those things that yoga is missing.
Sticking to only one activity to the exclusion of others means limiting the neuro muscular patterns of both the body and the mind. To keep the body and brain healthy, keep moving in many different ways each day and every so often learn something new. This keeps the brain building new pathways. A consistent yoga practice helps keep the body in shape to enjoy all those other activities that we love. Cheers to the skiers, bikers, skaters, gymnasts, gardeners, hikers, golfers, equestrians, basketball players, runners, dancers, swimmers, pet owners and weight-lifters that participate in our yoga class.
While being a member of a gym is a great way to keep moving during the winter months, its important to get outside as soon as possible and do some of that movement outside- including a few yoga postures.