The Best Yoga Moves To Lead an Incredibly Fit Lifestyle, Says Expert
If you're looking to fill your lifestyle with healthy, happy choices, you should absolutely consider adding yoga to your fitness rotation. We're here to share the best yoga moves to lead an incredibly fit lifestyle, so grab your mat and a water bottle, and let's get to it!
We reached out to CorePower's Sabrina Washington (she/her/hers), Yoga Instructor—Sacramento, CA to discuss the many benefits of practicing yoga on a regular basis. She points out that yoga helps to sculpt and tone lean muscle throughout your entire body. It also enhances your flexibility, which is so important to improve your posture and avoid injury as you age.
Washington explains to us that yoga is not just a physical exercise—it's a mental practice as well. She says, "[Yoga] can fundamentally change the way you approach life, relationships and overall health and wellness. Yoga teaches you to appreciate and love your body in all its forms," adding, "This way of thinking encourages students to nourish their bodies through restful sleep, nutrient-dense food, consistent exercise, and mindfulness practices that altogether cultivate a sustainable and holistic approach to fitness and healthy living." A healthy mind is the beginning of a healthy lifestyle.
A great way to set the vibe of each day is by choosing a meditative pose. Read on to learn more about some favorite yoga moves that'll benefit your overall wellness and help you lead an incredibly fit lifestyle.
Start each day with Child's Pose.
For a first exercise in the morning, try Child's Pose. Washington says it's a great pose to "connect you with your breath, ground yourself, and prepare for the day ahead."
For Child's Pose, start on all fours on your yoga mat. If you don't have a mat handy, any soft surface will do. Next, bring your big toes together and spread your knees apart wide. Move your forehead and your chest to the floor. Reach your arms out to the front of the yoga mat, and press both palms into the ground while taking deep breaths. Feel free to relax or set an intention for your day while you remain in this position.
Related: The Lifestyle Habits That Slow Down Aging, From a 100-Year-old Neurologist
Compound exercises work multiple muscle groups.
For those individuals who are seeking a bit more of a workout, Washington recommends incorporating compound exercises into your regimen. Compound exercises or yoga poses will target multiple muscle groups at the same time, while torching away more calories, raising your heart rate, and enhancing your flexibility and strength.
Related: The #1 Workout To Lead an Incredibly Healthy Lifestyle, Says Trainer
The High Lunge is a fundamental yoga pose.
"High Lunge is a foundational pose in every yoga practice. It's a hip opener that lengthens the spine, strengthens, and stretches all major leg muscles as well as the chest and knees," Washington tells us.
To do a High Lunge, assume a wide stance by placing one foot in front of the other. Next, bend your front knee right over your ankle, forming a 90-degree angle. Then, shift your weight to the balls of your feet while bringing your back heel off the floor. Make sure your hips stay square at the front of your yoga mat as you bring your arms up over your head, positioning your palms to face in. Next, you can add weights by performing Double Lunges or Bicep Curls. This addition will sculpt your buttocks and arms even more.
Yoga is, without a doubt, an amazing way to stay in shape.
"A fit lifestyle knows no bounds," says Washington. If you don't have time to attend yoga classes at a studio because of a busy work or travel schedule, consider checking out CorePower's extensive yoga lessons, classes, and meditation videos available on demand or via live stream classes.
