EXERCISE! Thoughts of pain, time, and hassle? It doesn’t have to be that way.
Change the thought of EXERCISE to MOVEMENT and feel good just about all the time.
You don’t need to move your body fast and work hard in order to experience great benefits. You do not have to go to the gym or to a class. You do not have to buy cute work-out clothes.
A healthy body is a healthy voice ~ Keeping your strength, endurance and range of mobility helps not only the body but also the voice – benefiting the respiratory, laryngeal, and vocal tract coordinators.
Every function of every organ and system in your body is enhanced by body movement. When they are activated, your:
1. Respiratory and circulatory systems deliver more oxygen and glucose to the muscles that enable more cognitive sharpness.
2. Metabolism increases.
3. Glands of the immune systems are better supported and protected(1).
The most important thing is to be consistent and use appropriate movements. This does not have to involve heavy weight lifting, aerobic classes, or even a personal trainer.
3 PAJAMA APPS – STAY IN YOUR JAMMIES AND STAY AT HOME –
Down Dog: My absolute favorite app in the world. It is rated the top yoga app in the app store.
Best feature: User friendly
Important features: FREE at least until May 1. If you are an educator, it’s free until July 1: downdogapp.com/schools If you are a healthcare worker, it’s also free until July 1: downdogapp.com/healthcare
Sworkit: Quick workouts, varying levels. Free trial, but then you have to pay to play.
Best feature: Designs 6 week plan for you based on age, gender, weight and skill.
Tai Chi: Chinese martial art practiced for both its defense training and health benefits. The term taiji refers to a philosophy of the forces of yin and yang. Free, but
Best feature: Lovely traditional Chinese music in background.
Great features:
Worth checking out online:
- Ease common chronic physical pain such as knee, back and shoulder pain.
- Shift frustration, anxiety or worry to clarity and calm.
- Transform effort, strain in moving to light, lively mobility.
- Experience
- Experiencing your current capabilities rather than always try to improve/change.
THE ANCIENT ART OF MINDLESS WALKING:
THE TAKE AWAY
You don’t need to carve out an hour a day or even a few days a week. You can do small twelve minute sessions of any movement to receive great benefit. Those twelve minutes make a vast difference in stamina, outlook and focus.
I hope you’ll give it a try!
Footnotes:
1). Thurman, L. & Welch, G. (2000). bodymind & voice: foundations of voice education. The VoiceCare Network, USA, Book 3, 639-640.