Joyful Movement: Exploring Different Ways to Stay Active and Engaged

Have you ever felt like getting that workout in was more of a chore than a pleasure? Movement should be more than just an exercise. It should be a time of joy, a celebration of what our bodies can do, and the key to feeling fulfilled. Additionally, it’s important to recognize that having the ability to work out is a privilege, and making the most of it can enhance your overall quality of life. In my journey through various forms of physical activity, I’ve discovered that finding the right way to move can transform exercise from a tedious chore into being my favorite part of my day.

Yoga has been a major cornerstone of my wellness journey, specifically, hot yoga. I'll be the first to admit that I had severely underestimated what yoga had to both offer me, and teach me. Before going to my first class, I had always viewed it as more of a mild form of exercise meant for relaxation as opposed to something that could be a serious part of my wellness routine. Obviously, this wasn't the case. My first hot yoga class taught me something that no other form of movement had ever taught me. To slow down & breathe. In this practice, I was meant to reflect, breathe, and truly listen to the needs of my body. Aligning my breath with my movement while holding each pose and going through each flow created an unbreakable link between my mind and my body. This practice has not only helped my improve my physical health, but it has also served as an outlet for my mental health by helping me manage my stress. Yoga has become an indispensable element of my wellness routine, and constantly reminds me of the incredible value in practices that may initially seem understated.

Pilates introduced me to the beauty of the combination of strength and controlled movement. It is a great low impact exercise that helps to strengthen your core and improve your overall strength that can be done on a mat or a reformer. I have been doing reformer pilates regularly since I was about 12 years old which was in response to my hip condition (hip dysplasia). My instructor and I worked on building my surrounding muscles without putting too much pressure on my hip joints, and each session has always felt so rewarding!

If you're looking for a similar workout to Pilates that offers an intense, full-body experience, you might want to explore Lagree or Solidcore. Both of these workouts incorporate elements similar to Pilates but with added intensity and focus on muscle endurance. Lagree uses a different machine called the Megaformer and combines the principles of Pilates with high-intensity interval training. The workout focuses on slow, controlled movements that challenge your muscles to fatigue, offering a great strength-building session. Solidcore is another excellent alternative,which emphasizes a slow, deliberate approach to resistance training. Using a reformer-style machine, Solidcore workouts target deep muscle groups, promoting strength and endurance while maintaining the core principles of Pilates.

Strength Training, with its emphasis on building muscle and improving overall fitness, has taught me both resilience and self-discipline, especially when it became a part of my workout routine that I chose to do (rather than my trainer telling me to). The satisfaction of lifting heavier weights, learning new techniques, trying new exercises, and being able to see your progress over time is immensely fulfilling. I have definitely seen major progress in my fitness goals through strength training, which has not only enhanced my physical capabilities but also reaffirmed my commitment to personal growth.

Through these various forms of movement, I’ve learned that staying active is about finding what brings joy and makes you feel alive. I can also say that as many times as I've dreaded going to go workout, there has never been a time I regretted it. Embracing different ways to move can enhance your overall well-being and make every day a celebration of what your body can achieve. Our bodies are full of so much potential, and tapping into that inner strength will only help further and nurture your wellness journey.