Whether It Is Yoga or Cycling, Get Out and Get Active

Everyone has his or her own way of doing things. Whether it is what they eat or the way they exercise, people choose paths that take them down a unique route. Jan Harlow and Will Easterling are prime examples of people involved in diversified exercise programs who reap the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

Try Something New to Keep Exercise Fun

“I taught aerobics for 25 years and loved it,” says Harlow, age 49. “But I got to a point where I stopped teaching but wanted to continue exercising. I looked for quite some time for something that would give me a physical and mental workout. I settled on yoga.”

What Is Yoga?

Yoga is an eastern Indian tradition that focuses on strength, flexibility, and spirituality. The practice involves attaining specific postures while emphasizing correct breathing techniques. Yoga emphasizes meditative mindfulness. Harlow describes yoga as “giving yourself a workout from the inside out.”

“The wonderful thing about yoga is that you concentrate so much on your inner self,” Harlow continues. “You aren’t just simply focusing on your muscles but on what is going on inside your head and body. I always feel so refreshed when I’m finished.”

A Great Way to Get Fit and Feel Better

From a physical standpoint, yoga stresses one’s sense of balance. The stretching exercises are precise to isolate specific muscle groups. The breathing warms the body, sending oxygen to the working muscles. The positions also improve what is called flexible strength. Although the goal isn’t necessarily bulk and rippled muscles, yoga nonetheless firms and tones arms, legs, the abdomen, and back.

“I used to have really bad back problems before practicing yoga,” admits Harlow. “But in the three years since I’ve started, my back problems have become less severe.”

Pedal to Better Health

Easterling, for many of the same reasons Harlow has embraced yoga, also takes a lower impact route to physical fitness. He rides a bike with his 3-year-old son, Jonah.

Anyone can climb on a bicycle and pedal to better health. “Cycling is a great activity that can be performed by a wide variety of fitness levels, body types, and body sizes,” says Easterling, age 38. Biking can help burn calories, control body weight, and reduce stress, blood pressure, and risk for type 2 diabetes. Cycling can improve overall cardiovascular fitness, cholesterol levels, and the immune system, as well.

Good Habits Last a Lifetime

Easterling has a different reason for riding his bicycle. “I’m making an investment in the future,” says Easterling. “I’m trying to show my son that being outside and being active, whether it’s kicking a soccer ball or riding a bike, is a much better choice than sitting inside playing video games and watching TV. Fortunately, he loves being outside and we get to spend a lot of time together.”

Children need at least one hour of physical activity every day to stay healthy, according to the American Heart Association. But many kids aren’t getting that much exercise. So Easterling’s plan of limiting his son’s time in front of a TV is a sound decision that will help Jonah for many years down the road.

Family Fun and Health for Years to Come

“There is an ulterior motive as well,” says Easterling. “When he becomes really active, like with baseball, soccer, football, whatever the sport, I want to be able to play along with him and not be on the sidelines because I’m out of shape. So I know I’ve got to keep myself in a healthy state in order to keep up with him when he’s age 10 to 18.”

But why biking? “It is low impact but it burns calories and builds body strength and endurance, especially in the lower body,” says Easterling. “And there is the added bonus of being outside.” And like yoga, biking can be very soothing. “We live in a very nice neighborhood so it’s relaxing to ride a bike,” Easterling says. “When you get back from riding, sure you’re tired. But there is a sense of calm that goes along with it. It may be a certain satisfaction in knowing I’ve done something good for my body, and that in turn helps my mental state.”

Don’t Be a Statistic: Keep Moving and Keep It Simple

Recent studies point out alarming numbers in terms of the overall health of Americans. Approximately 65% of Americans are considered obese while a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report said 55% don’t get the recommended 30 minutes of moderate- intensity physical activity on most days of the week. But Harlow and Easterling have proven that physical activity doesn’t necessarily mean a huge expenditure in time or money. All it really takes is the decision to make a lifestyle change. Be it yoga, cycling, or whatever sport you choose, the point is to get out and get active.