Yoga Was My Gateway Drug
Never give up!
We all know that exercise is the great elixir for a long and vibrant healthspan. 70% of our illness and injury is lifestyle related. Exercise can eliminate 50% of serious illnesses… eliminate them altogether. It reduces inflammation which is a major cause of metabolic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. New studies show a 40% reduction in the risk for Alzheimer’s disease in people who do some form of exercise regularly. It eliminates injury, too. If your muscles can hold the structure of your body, that puts less stress on joints - not the mention the fact that you don’t fall down as much. Not only that, it makes life so much more fun! If you can join in when people want to go hiking, or skiing, or dancing or on a trip with grandkids to Disneyland, that’s life enhancing! Worrying about falling? Not so much.
No duh!
I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know. But telling you isn’t super helpful. The couch is still way more fun than putting on your spandex and lacing up your sneakers. I know. I get it. I was in that hole for many, many years… essentially my whole life. I sucked at PE and was embarrassed by team sports. It was boring and painful to do exercises that were not team sports. I kinda gave up. For years. But, thankfully, not altogether.
Keep putting your toe in the water
My friend kept extolling the virtues of yoga. Going to a yoga studio or gym just didn’t appeal to me. I was sure I’d look like the loser in an epic game of twister and I didn’t relish doing that in front of a bunch of seasoned yogis. But, one day, I found a “beginning yoga” class at the adult learning extension in my area. It took all the fortitude I had, but I went. I felt dumb and out of place - but, it turned out, not unlike the other people in the class who were also trying it for the first time. So I went back. Many times. And it grew on me. For lots of reasons, yoga is for me. I like the slow movements (some people hate ‘em). I like the counter-poses that allow my muscles to stretch. I like the quiet. And it just works for my body.
Yoga was my gateway drug
Guess what? Once I felt like I could master and enjoy some movement, I tried other things. While I was researching something about yoga, I came across an ad for a half marathon walk. Hey! Walking is something I can do! So, I asked a friend to train with me and thankfully he said yes. We’ve now done three of ‘em and both of us have placed in our divisions at the half marathon walk in our region. Power walking is now a big part of my days. From there, why not try an inn to inn hike? I was willing to try, since I knew I could walk at least 13 miles. Now, I do at least one of those per year and LOVE ‘em! In fact, I’m doing one next weekend and bringing a group of newbies who are brave enough to give it a try. Connection and wellness in one FUN package. Nice!
Never give up
Why am I telling you this? I think, my friends, the message is to never give up. I tried a million things before I found my thing. And here’s another thing… I love yoga in a group setting. During the pandemic I found that, alone, I don’t like it at all. Can’t get my butt on the mat to save my life. It’s boring and way too easy to dog it. And all that walking I do? I thought I’d build up to running… Not a bit of it. HATE running. I can walk 13 minute miles, but running 11 minute miles? Not for me. Don’t know why, but just little tweaks can sometimes be the difference between love it and hate it, at least for me.
It’ll work for you, too!
My son learned the same lesson. Not to “out” him, or anything, but team sports are not for him. He’s not physically competitive. (Don’t get him started on an argument. He’ll go to the mat mentally, but physically, he’s fine if you win.) He tried going to the gym to lift with his friends, but it was boring for him. But, to his credit, he did not give up! He went through myriad things trying to find something he liked. He has now landed on paddling (kayaks or stand up paddle boards) and indoor rock climbing. You really have to taste a LOT of the smorgasboard to get to indoor rock climbing. But he didn’t give up. And now, he’s happily working toward a healthier him.
Disneyland awaits
So, what ails you? Is it diabetes? Depression? Fear of Alzheimer’s? You like cookies a little too much? Maybe cancer or heart disease runs in your family? All of these things can be impacted with exercise. You just have to find your gateway drug. Stick with it! Try everything. Even if you don’t like something at first, tweak it and keep trying. In the end, it really can mean everything to you and to your grandkids who want to go skiing, or play hide and seek or find hidden Mickeys with grandma and grandpa.
Want a list of things to try? Reply to this email and I’ll send you my compilation of ways to get yourself moving.