Mindful movement is the key to efficient workouts
Just like being present in our daily lives, being present in our workouts is so important!
Being present as we move makes our movements work more efficiently for us. When we think about the movement we are performing and the act of taking each movement one step at a time, it tells our mind that what we are doing is important and a priority.
Here are a few steps to help you stay mindful in your workouts:
Feel the floor/mat/sand under your feet. Wherever you are, be there. Take a moment before you begin moving to feel grounded.
Put your phone in do not disturb. Turn notifications off so you do not get distracted. I recently created a specific focus mode on my iPhone titled ‘moving my body’ to ensure my notifications from specific apps are either silenced, delivered quietly, or are delivered if they are important, i.e. from my favorite people! You can do this too on your iPhone under Settings > Focus.
Use your breath while you are moving. A lot of time during class I will cue moments to inhale and exhale. This is to use the breath to help you with the movement but it is also to bring increased awareness to the entire body and not just the movement that we are doing.
Working out is a full-body experience and it can be fun if you let it! Instead of thinking about what came before and what you have to do after your workout, focus on the movements you are doing and see how much more you can get out of your workouts!
