"Your perfect party look", "Melt fat away", "Flatten your Abs faster", "Quick ways for perfect summer body". The dazzling headlines luring you to work for a certain body ratio splashed on the glossy cover of the magazine.
But is being Slim or getting certain body is Good health??
First Good health doesn't just happen. Often, a series of choices defines your health.
In Hatha yoga 5 vital point are condensed for a life of good physical and mental health as well as spiritual growth.
1. Proper Exercise/ Asana
2. Proper breathing/ Pranayama
3. Proper Relaxation/ Vishram
4. Proper Food/ Aahar
5. Positive Thinking & Meditation/ Dharna & Dhyana.
Realistic Goal as you start
This is one of the most crucial stage. When you start exercising physically you are not in the best of your health or fitness. Mentally you are vulnerable, as you are unhappy with your own body, hence prone to insecurities and pushing yourself too hard. So when you start with your exercise regime, steps back, pause and give your self a gentle reminder "My body is my best friend and it will guide me to learn to endure and when to back down".
Look out for opportunity outside the studio, in your daily life where you can do some physical exertion, like taking stairs, brisk walk to metro station etc. Our physical body is meant to move and exercise. If our lifestyle does not provide natural motion of muscles and joints, then disease and great discomfort will ensue with time. So whatever form of exercise you opt make sure it provides, stretch and strength to muscles, add flexibility and endurance and finally include Cardio training for a healthy heart. Yoga works wonderfully on all the three aspects.
Benefits of Investing in Good Health
- You take charge of your life and feel good about the choices you make.
- Gain energy and feel more fit.
- Better immune system to handle the changes of the surroundings.
- Experience improved physical health.
Emotional Health
It is important to be mindful of the choices you make for your personal health and well being. But nothing is more important than "Taking care of yourself". Set aside time every day for YOU—be active. Be open-minded to try something new, like a hobby or activity and share time with your family and friends, they can be the major stress busters in life.
Be Your Own Expert. A Real Approach to Eating
As a traditional Indian saying "Jaisa Khao Ann Waisa Ho Mann" it means that the type of food one eats determine their temperament. We are blessed with a built in system in our bodies to show us what food our body needs. Often we dismiss those craving or go overboard in satisfying one. Few easy pointers to keep in mind for food.
- Balance – Balance what you eat to meet your need for nutrition and enjoyment.
- Variety – Enjoy all kinds of foods while keeping the key food groups in mind (like fruits & vegetables, lean sources of protein, low-fat dairy and whole grains).
- Moderation – Focus on feeling comfortable instead of being too full after you eat. Use moderation when choosing less nutritious foods
- In Ayurveda great emphasis is given on chewing the food well, eating the food in quiet surrounding, with the thankful state of mind. This not only helps in breaking down the food to its tiniest particle allowing easy digestion, simultaneously calming the cravings of the mind to overeat.
- Stop having your meal once you burp. Burping is the indication that your stomach is full.
All these points above can be easily ingrained to your daily life and that you can take charge of. Keep in mind that any lifestyle change is a "work in progress" and lasting changes take time. All one need is a holistic approach and uncomplicated goals to obtain good health.
Namaste
*** Note: This article is wrote with people who are not suffering for any serious healthy issues. Do consult your doctor before starting with any exercise routine.
