Spring workout-Your mind and body will thank you!!!

It is that time of the year again when we have to picture ourselves in a bathing suit. If you are anything like me and like to procrastinate the switch from a winter diet and (almost non-existent) exercise to a healthy meal and a fresh workout then yoga is the answer for you. Going to the gym still counts, but in order to transition yourself out of a boring gym routine and feel mentally healthy, yoga has been proven to do that and more.  Although there is no official study or proof it is widely accepted that yoga can help improve depression and anxiety. Those who experience the symptoms know this can get significantly worse in the winter season.

Yoga is especially great for people with certain heart problems that prevent them from doing vigorous exercise.  The feeling yoga can provide is absolutely refreshing as the exercise can accommodate to different levels of strength and endurance.  If you feel you are among those who have been doing a good share of exercising over the winter then yoga mixed with aerobics (power yoga) is right for you. The best part, you can make your exercise green by taking it outdoors.

While you are out there, a simple walk can be great exercise for beginners trying to break into their routine. Since the economy has not been playing out so well the idea of driving or taking public transportation to go exercise just seems silly.  If you gym or park is close enough for a walk or a bike ride it would be much more economical, not to mention greener, to go for it.

Food is a another big factor in the way we exercise.  Foods that are heavier will make us tired and less productive.  This does not mean you have to give up your favorite foods or eat less delicious desserts. It only means that you should try eating different types of foods. Spring always makes me a much happier person and it reflects in the activities as well as foods I eat. My favorite are berries with whipped cream for dessert or a snack.  Thinking in these terms especially helps when eating out, restaurants tend to have less healthier choices for dessert.  It is all about compromising.

The most common forms of yoga for a toned body and a peace of mind:

Hatha Yoga: is a basic form of yoga that is popularized in the US.  It incorporates all aspects of yoga:regulated breathing exercises, meditation and calm poses that slowly allow you to advance.

Birkham Yoga: incorporates fitness and muscle strength, this form of yoga is great for weight loss as it supposed to be practiced in a heated environment of  95-105 degrees.  This allows for flexibility, detoxification as well as prevention of injury.

Power Yoga: is a strength training as well as regulated breathing exercise.  This form of yoga combines aerobics with yoga poses through fast movements and no pausing between the poses.