As we draw near February, the season of new year goals is just at the point where many people are fully determined to fulfill their aspirations, or near the stopping point of returning to old habits. A common goal that many people set for themselves is to exercise more and to develop healthier habits. Working towards this resolution, people often set goals to go to the gym five times a week or to follow a strict diet; however, this routine may become redundant over time and lead people to give up on their resolutions.
Oftentimes, people forget that exercise is not defined by a certain set of rules. This being said, exercise is not limited to only cardio or weight lifting — the most common forms of workouts — but instead also includes exercises such as pilates and yoga, which have several health benefits.
Yoga is a great form of exercise that offers holistic benefits for both the mind and the body. While yoga improves physical health in the realm of strength, flexibility, posture, and balance, it also has endless benefits for one’s mental health. Mind-body connection is an aspect of yoga that is heavily emphasized, whether you are taking a yoga flow class focused on flexibility and balance, or a yoga sculpt class emphasizing strength, cardio, and endurance. Through all the different types of yoga, you will be focused on the present moment awareness and dedicating the next moments to improving yourself as a whole through each exercise and breath cycle. In Yorba Linda, there are several yoga studios such as YogaSix, Yoga Sol, and Class 46. McKenzi Reiter (12), a YogaSix employee, shares her love for yoga and how “ . When I am at yoga, I am able to put away the chatter and noise from the outside world and take the next hour to focus on my mind and my body”.
Pilates is also a strengthening exercise that has endless benefits for one’s health. While yoga has a heavier emphasis on body awareness, flexibility, and balance, pilates focuses on rehabilitation, targeted strengthening, and controlled movements. Through the specialized machines that are often used in pilates classes, such as the reformer or the megaformer, you will be able to work deliberately on muscle toning and core strength while also rehabilitating injuries. Because pilates allows one to target specific muscles, it is a great exercise for injury recovery. At the end of the day, the purpose of exercise is to better yourself, both physically and mentally, and pilates and yoga bring multiple benefits that will allow you to fulfill these needs. There are several different studios near Yorba Linda, such as Core Pilates, Core Precision, HOLD Fitness Studio, Corepower Yoga, Neaumixfit, and several more for you to try out to find out what suits your needs the best! Kennedy Conrad (12) says, “I have been trying to find new ways to exercise, and I have fallen in love with yoga and pilates. I feel so good after every class, and it is always such a good workout.” This being said, remember that there are so many different ways to exercise and better your body; what matters most is that you find what is best for you, and it might be yoga and pilates.
