So many people are at home with stress, anxiety and worry about what lies ahead. We’ve found lots of them are seeking to do yoga at home, which is why we provide virtual yoga workouts once a week as part of our new client and VIP Membership plans. We can’t sing the praises of intermittent fasting, carb cycling and exercise enough, but rest and yoga are important elements too.

Yoga has a way of slowing the world down and connecting yourself to you. And isn’t that what it’s all about? You are worthy of a healthier lifestyle. You are worthy of achieving goals. You are worthy of forgiveness, even if it’s you who has to do the forgiving. None of us have been perfect during this crazy Coronavirus pandemic, and that’s ok. It’s about progress, not perfection. Yoga allows you to re-center yourself, build trust and become more accepting. That’s the first step in becoming stronger, more courageous and more confident.

Can it help you?

THE BENEFITS OF YOGA

Just one hour a week of disciplined yoga has shown to affect the body’s ability to re-energize and burn fat. It lowers your resting heart rate and INCREASES your intake of oxygen. Plus, it helps center the mind and reduce the stressful thoughts swirling around. Yoga has also shown to change your nervous system from “fight or flight” to “rest and digest”

It has also shown to improve eating habits! A Harvard study in 2015 (1) showed that people who practiced yoga were more mindful eaters because they were more aware of how their body was feeling. Here are a few other benefits:

• Sharpens attention and focus

• Calms nervous system

• Restores self-confidence

• Improves performance

• Lowers blood pressure

• Lowers cholesterol

• Lowers triglyceride levels

• Improves immunity

• Improves posture

• Builds muscle tone

HOW TO START YOGA AS A BEGINNER

The goal isn’t to overwhelm yourself with memorization and poses, or to burn you out physically. It’s to challenge yourself while also bringing your mind to a peaceful place. This is where you accept how you are feeling, take what is right in front of you and move more easily. Here’s how you can get started (you actually don’t need a whole lot).

1.  Find a quiet, serene place – Honestly, this might be the toughest step with many people at home with families or sharing a small apartment. Some of you might need to go outside and find a quiet place under a tree. Either way, your space should be peaceful, open and designated for yoga.

2.  Yoga mat – If you don’t have one, our soft, lightweight FASTer Way Yoga Mat is double-sized with a non-slip texture. Rather ease into it? You can always use a blanket or cushion temporarily. Be creative. Yoga is all about being comfortable and in your element.

3.  Set a time – Doing yoga in the morning is recommended because you start the day with peace and energy and sets you up for the day ahead. But each person is different, and these are weird times. Pick the time that is best for you so you can’t use it as an excuse to stop.

4.  Start slow – We want everyone to love the benefits of yoga and not give up. If you try to overdo it, you might try poses your body isn’t ready for and get discouraged. Listen to your body and what it’s telling you. Enjoy the early stages as you get to know it. Mind and body are connected and the more you find peace and serenity in yoga, the more you will enjoy it.

5.  Try the FASTer Way program – We have yoga workouts ready to go with guided videos once a week. Our 6-week course is filled with exercise and meal plans geared towards getting the most out of your routine. We have tons of resources and tips from real coaches to help you on your journey and want to help you succeed!

6.  Wear something comfortable – The best outfit to wear for yoga? Whatever you feel most comfortable in! When you do your sessions from home, you can wear whatever you like. Something loose fitting and light is best, even pajamas. We have tons of comfortable FASTer Way gear that will keep you motivated and feeling good throughout your session.

7.  Don’t focus on names – For beginners, getting down the names and poses can seem important, but it isn’t! What’s important is you go through the motions a few times, get better in tune with your body and enjoy each minute. The names and repetition will come later.

8.  Make yoga part of your fast – Another reason it’s recommended to do yoga in the morning is you can do it before you eat, which increases benefits. We love intermittent fasting because of the many health benefits it provides (to get up to speed, check out this blog). The upshot: IF gives your body the ability to focus on things other than digestion and intake. Your immune system stops analyzing food, your body switches to fat burning mode and your repair system improves organ function.

Yoga also benefits from an empty stomach because your body can focus on stretching, blood flow and repair.

THINK ABOUT YOUR MOOD BEFORE DOING YOGA

Yoga is about being present and accepting the moment. How do you feel? Allow your emotions to come out. Maybe you are feeling upbeat and energetic or slow and lethargic. Maybe you have a million thoughts racing around or maybe you are in a bit of physical pain. Accept your feelings and slow down. Breathes. Focus on your breath.

Yoga is all about YOU! Stick with it and you’ll love the results. We’ve got lots of resources and podcasts with tips to help you through these stressful times. Being part of a community is what the FASTer Way is all about. If you know someone who could use a mood boost, pass this blog along and invite them to join you in the FASTer Way to Fat Loss program!

1https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/yoga-benefits-beyond-the-mat

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