Move & Meditate for Healing
Moving and meditating are game changers. I move and meditate several times a week. A big change for me as I’m not athletic and did not exercise most of my of life. It’s never too late to start.
In my mid-fifties I discovered hot yoga, practicing a couple of times per week. During Covid, I did power/yin yoga daily at home, adding meditation. Finally, in 2023 at the age of 62, I started strength training two days per week.
If you are a beginner, just start walking. Walking is great for body and mind, lubricating the spine, strengthening internal organs. Consider adding weight bearing exercises to strengthen bones. Moving and meditating will improve health.
Attending exercise classes in person is best. The instructors provide guidance, support, and corrections. I encourage everyone to find an exercise that you enjoy and a supporting community.
Travis Eliot - Yoga & Meditation Teacher
Due to many classes and wonderful instructors, I was able to transition to yoga at home. I spent the first Covid summer outdoors with Travis Eliot. I found his free YouTube channel.
Travis is a world-renown yoga instructor, mediation teacher, and author. He offers yoga classes for all levels. There is a retreat playlist too, enjoy at home at your speed. I completed Travis’s 7-Day Digital Power Yoga Retreat twice. Each day consists of a two-hour video with yoga followed by a mediation.
Travis Eliot’s meditations focus on finding equanimity: mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in difficult situations. Here are a few favorite teaching from Travis’s The Be Ultimate Podcast, all free on YouTube:
- A Life of Vitality
- Working Skillfully with Emotions
- The Gratitude Meditation
- The Forgiveness Meditation
Learning to mediate improved my mindset, a skill I wished I had much earlier in life.
Inner Dimension TV - App
I subscribe to Travis Eliot’s Inner Dimension TV, a fee based app. I love his Level Up 108, Yoga Detox 30, and Transform programs. This app offer a platform full of high-quality yoga and meditations.
Strength Training is Healing
I’m enjoying strength training with a professional trainer. It is a great compliment to yoga. I’ve built muscle and learned the many benefits. If you are trying to lose weight, strength training is key. Gaining muscle before weight loss is key to not losing muscle mass.
Several years ago I learned I’m in osteopenia. Despite all the yoga and years of taking the recommended supplements, I actually got a little worse. So I followed the advice of many healthy experts on social media to strength training. My new ND, a Vitalist with more biceps than me, agrees. She also advised to not use the bone supplements since I eat properly and lift heavy weights. Strength training will build stronger bones.
Working with a strength and conditioning coach is best if it is within your budget. Sharing sessions with a friend can be more economical. A trainer will first – keep you safe, especially if injured. Second – they ensure you progress. With a trainer, you learn the skill of performing the moves safely and effectively. This takes time, not just a few sessions.
My Notes
So far, I’ve gained over three pounds of muscle and I’ve never been injured. I’m working to gain muscle as I’m still under-muscled. A trait of blood type is O (me) is we enjoy vigorous exercise. I actually look forward to sessions with my trainer.
Yoga and meditation yokes my mind into calming, compassionate, loving thoughts. Calming the mind, calms the body, and helps healing. My yoga practice led me to find my dharma, a way to serve. I created this web to help others find vitality and equanimity.
Check out my Home page. I advocate for a simple, accurate food intolerance test. Easily identify foods you can’t digest with the Carroll Food Intolerance Test. Include yoga and mediation in your daily practices, it’s truly healing.
Namaste,
Diane