Improve Your Fitness and Wellbeing with Yoga
TopicsUnsure about yoga? It brings so many benefits to your fitness, wellbeing and health. Our health club studio coordinator and yoga guru Rebecca Rowe is here to share those benefits and her yoga journey.
MY YOGA JOURNEY
In April I went to India to do my Yoga teacher training, one month of solely doing yoga. My fitness since then has skyrocketed. Fitness is multi-faceted and it isn’t just about lifting heavy weights or running a long way. I have long understood the importance of flexibility, mobility and balance, but have I always spent the time to focus on them? Definitely not. Typically, with an hour to train, cardio or strength training would always take precedence over the rest and I think this is probably true for most of us.
I spent a month in Dharamsala and I couldn’t have asked for a more tranquil setting in which to do my training. My school lay in the foothills of the snow topped mountains which seemed to change with every day. We spent endless hours practising postures with Deep our teacher who had a flamboyant lust for life. An hour of Philosophy a day with Gurumukh blew my mind within the first 10 minutes. Practising mediation broadened our minds, as we became more comfortable around each other dance and laughter meditations made us feel liberated rather than foolish. Weekends were spent with my fellow students trekking the surrounding mountains, or visiting the local city Mcleod Ganj (home to the Dalai Lama) and immersing ourselves in the colourful, spicy, beautiful cultures of India.
One month of yoga and I was sleeping better. Going to bed without the constant ache in my lumbar spine and generally feeling a sense of wellbeing (yes the sunshine and mountain air may well have helpedJ) Why? Because the health benefits are endless. Using postures that focus on breath, strength, flexibility and alignment it has a profound impact on our physical and mental wellbeing. Not only can I now squat lower and kick higher, my strength has increased massively. My technique in the gym has vastly improved and my posture is noticeably better.
We need to stop overlooking the importance of balance, flexibility and mobility. Our future selves will thank us for it. And our present selves will sleep better!
Fancy reading more about health and wellness? Visit www.mindbodygreen.com for great tips and stories.
Did you know Body Balance is a blend of Yoga, Pilates and Thai Chi?
Additional class Tuesday 3pm and introducing a brand-new Yoga class for the Autumn Timetable Mobilising Yoga Tuesday 8.30pm. Call 01326 312707 to book a class and click here for a class list.
Written by Rebecca Rowe.
After 10 years of being a member and having been going to other gyms since I was 16 I can honestly say St Michaels for me just feels the perfect balance.
The instructors are not only very experienced and approachable in what they teach they are also, very importantly, just so human. They make everyone feel so welcome and included .. that vibe is so important. Every member matters.
Being a ‘member’ of St Michaels Health Club is more than the word suggests. You will find a community of like-minded people who just want to try their best to be consistent in their endeavours to keep as fit and healthy as they can. Fellow triers and the incredible team behind us at the club keep me motivated endlessly. The gym equipment and layout allows you to go your own way however I will say guidance is on hand easily.
Always you will be inspired and supported from both the team at the club and members alike. It’s friendly, I don’t feel intimidated and I’m getting results!
I’ve been a member of St Michaels for over 2 years and absolutely love it. Mainly doing classes, I invested in a PT session and now have a bespoke gym programme which I really enjoy. The range of classes is phenomenal and I do everything from spin to strength & conditioning to body combat, fascia release, body balance and yoga. The fact that body balance and yoga are held outside during the summer months is an extra bonus; yoga on Gylly beach is just sublime! I really like the fact that I am challenged in the classes and the standard of training is the best that I have encountered.
I’ve made lots of friends as everyone is so friendly. Changing areas are fab and the ability to have a post class shower is the icing on the cake!
As a longstanding member of St Michaels, I continue to choose to train and relax here due to the club's friendly and knowledgeable staff, both at the health club reception and those who take fitness classes. The proximity of the facilities to Gyllyngvase beach is a huge plus, as I swim and train in the sea as much as I can. Outdoor classes are a great idea and I find running and exercising near the coast uplifting. For me, the wellness membership offers everything I need to balance treating myself to time in the spa, staying motivated to become stronger and fitter with Lauren's personal training, plus gym sessions and classes and regular use of the sauna and steam rooms to wind down and catch up with friends. The club is an important part of my life.