Pilates or Yoga...or Both!

Hey, all.

Recently, I've been going through a Fitness Revolution. I've been working out well for the last two weeks. Although I am happy pounding the pavement (or conveyor belt of a treadmill), jump roping, and elliptical-ling to my heart's desire, I feel as if my fitness is one-sided.

I've steadily avoided weights (after reading that my body shape shouldn't add weights until I lose weight...irony!), but I know that strength training and cardio are just two pieces of the puzzle.

The last remaining factor is flexibility. I may be fit, but ask me to reach my right arm over my shoulder to touch my left hand and we've got problems.

As such, I've resolved that I want to start incorporating Yoga and or Pilates into my fitness regimen.

I've always hated Yoga. Ever since my gym teacher played the DVD non-stop in Body Shaping (thanks Ms. Herr!), I've been convinced that Hell is comprised of Downward Dogs and Warrior Poses. However, I cannot deny the beauty that constant Yoga does to a body. Look!

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In addition to giving people hot bodies, Yoga is great for flexibility. I can't wait to see what my body is capable of after STICKING to a Yoga routine.

Not only that, Yoga fanatics can make one go glassy-eyed over their descriptions of how at peace they feel when they do Yoga. And as much as I'd like to say they're on something, I can attest to that fact.

During one of my numerous dalliances with Yoga, while I was wishing my instructor death in the most horrible way for putting my very inflexible body through the thousandth Downward dog, I could not help but admit that when I stopped focusing on my rage, I felt a connection with my body. When I close my mind and focus on my breathing, my mind isn't wandering as it usually does. It is focusing on each inhale and exhale and time stops.

We'll see. Hopefully I can do both Pilates (which I don't hate at all) and Yoga at the same time. It'd be nice to start the morning off with Pilates and cool down with Yoga before bed.

Awesome body (and spiritual awareness), here I come!

Until Next Time!