Yoga

As it happens every “New Year”, the airwaves are inundated with “Lose Weight Fast” advertisements. Some ads promote that by “Changing your body, you can change your life!”

I’d like to suggest that by making one small change to your daily or weekly routine, you will reap greater benefits, not only to your body, but also to your overall emotional and physical well-being.

What’s the one small change that has the potential to make you stronger, leaner, improve your posture, balance, lower your stress levels and help you to relax in a matter of minutes? Yoga.

Yes, yoga.  Studies show there’s a connection between stress and weight gain. In the December 2007 issue of PARADE magazine included information about a study done by Georgetown University Medical Center. It reported that mice under stress gained extra weight even when their calorie intake didn’t go up. “Stress seems to release a chemical reaction that triggers fats cells to grow and multiply in number.”  Other studies also support this theory, by reducing stress levels, the stress hormone cortisone is reduced, which can lead to a reduction of belly fat.

Sign up today for a renew.calm yoga class. By making one small change in keeping a New Year’s resolution to take better care of yourself and relax, you can change your life, and maybe even your world!

Linda S. Brunelle, MPH, RYT, is a writer, health educator, and yoga instructor. Please direct any questions you have about beginning a yoga practice to renewcalm.com