Body, Mind, Spirit; Finding Balance
© Kelly Smith
As the fitness world evolves, we are seeing a bigger focus on achieving balance between body, mind and spirit. Many of us have included yoga and meditation into our exercise programs. Holistic medicine and beliefs, talk of chakras and feng shui have creeped into our mainstream lives.
The realization is that our health depends not just on how we look but how we feel. Maybe it is because of just how 'fast' and stressful our world has become, but we have forgotten to "stop and smell the roses" so to speak. Now, we are seeking new ways to get in touch with our inner selves, but we still want to look good while we are doing it. So, how do all of these components relate?
"Our body, soul and spirit together make us whole individuals. If any one of those components is suffering, it affects the other areas," says Hyde.
Hyde is developer of Workouts For Women and a certified personal trainer specializing in women's fitness with more than 14 years experience. For a complete home, gym or pregnancy exercise routine under the guidance of a certified trainer, visit http://www.WorkoutsForWomen.com.
One way of trying to make these connections is through Yoga. Yoga is a hot trend in the exercise world today and there are so many variations of it popping up at the gym. Maybe because people have realized it doesn't require sitting on top of a mountain or twisting into a pretzel. Or maybe it's because we have taken a good look at some of those yoga teachers. Yoga can actually strengthen and tone those muscles while burning calories.
"Yoga is great because it promotes physiological benefits as well as psychological benefits including improvement in one's mood as well as a decrease in anxiety and depression. However, all exercise has been associated with these types of improvements. But the meditation aspect of Yoga makes it one of the more "relaxing" types of exercise," Hyde said.
Yoga has been said to not only alleviate stress but some practice it to achieve what is called samadhi or pure consciousness. Whatever the reason, Yoga is one way of finding the balance between body, mind and spirit.
"A balanced lifestyle is key in regards to one's health," says Hyde. Personal Life Coach Susan Scholl of Life Balancing for Women agrees with the belief that spirituality as part of a balanced life leads to a healthy life.
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