So I was conversing with a friend recently, about how the winter is getting colder this year. We chalked some great and 'Doable' Yogic Ideas to stay fit and healthy in this time. These should help prepare your body for the cold and get healthier through the winter. Yoga is not just a form of physical training and meditation, but is a lifestyle and philosophy as well.
So here are the 15 things I have on how to maintain your health and composure this winter.
- Think Warm. I am a Star Wars fan and I know it sounds like some Jedi mind stuff, but it works. I just visualize myself on a beach before my practice and it works.
- Eat well-cooked, sparsely spiced foods. They are a great way to restore energy. Have plenty of simmered stews, warm, moderately spicy soups, roasted root vegetables and plenty of warm drinks. Make sure to add spices like ginger, garlic, cloves, basil and black pepper, to your diet. They help augment the warming effect of your food. Take it easy on foods like raw salads and vegetables as well as cold drinks.
- Sleep for good 8 hours to remain healthy, wealthy and wise. Concurs fully with the philosophy of Yoga that was never it truer than for the winters, when laziness and languor take over.
- Hold each Yogic pose for shorter time. You can repeat the same again towards the end. The body needs to be more relaxed to counter the cold this winter.
- Better to practice Yoga indoors. Remember to do proper warming up exercises. This way you'll maintain your health, end up with a calm mind and plenty of energy for the day. This doesn't mean you don't venture outdoors. Yoga is all about lightening up, living it up the right way.
- Take up jogging if you can. Winters are an excellent time to jog; you are bound to warm up a lot, boost your reserves of energy and exercise those lung muscles.
- Spend more time on Surya Namaskar. This will help you keep warm, flexible and increase your energy as will as keep your body stretched and nimble.
- Try consciously breathing more from the chest and stomach. Sit in any meditative posture; say Sukhasana, Vajrasana or Padmasana with hands on your knees. Take slow, deep breaths, let your chest expand and contract as much as possible. Try to retain the breath for as long as possible. Do this 10 - 15 times.
- Stretch your body especially the Spine. Not necessarily with Yogic Exercises, even otherwise. You can stand with both feet apart. Now stretch both hands above your head, then inhale and start to bend backwards from your waist.
- You need to sweat. The cold will not let you sweat. Win over it. Listen to some good music and stay upbeat. Engage in sweat-generating exercises aimed at weight loss and stretching, while toning up the internal organs as well. These are very important for people intending to bring down stress, increase their life span, develop more calmness, and have more harmony strength, and balance in their lives.
- Start a new hobby. The one that you've always wanted to, one that you're sure will make you happy. Could be something as simple as DIY, innovate at home. stamp collecting or collecting picture postcards. Tell yourself it's now or never.
- Re-Do your Wardrobe. Go through the wardrobe/cupboards and see what you can junk. Yoga recommends that you give away the old to make way for the new. You'll be surprised at how much you don't need. How much you can give away this Christmas.
- Blow Balloons. This isn't an altogether Yogic technique, but one that will certainly give you, not just practice for the coming festivities; but also relief from your breathing troubles. Blowing balloons also this helps increase your lung capacity.
- Next, do something you've never done before - Pamper yourself. Give yourself a good rub, as in physically then, looking in a mirror, tell yourself how much you love that person. It may sound foolish and even feel funny as you do it. But try it, anyway and see how it feels. Something will tell you you've been waiting for just this, for a long time.
- Finally, Do something for someone or something else. You've thought a lot about yourself. How about enriching your self by doing something for others.
If you have any suggestions or more ideas on this topic, don't forget to leave a comment here and on our Facebook page: Yogic Community
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