Brain Candy for Writers
An Unexpected Healthy "Snack"
My husband and I have started a new trend in our household. Chair yoga. Yes, you heard me right, yoga with chairs. As if yoga without chairs wasn't tricky enough to juggle.
Even worse - it takes place in public. Worse yet - in a gym full of the young and the able. That sounds like the title to a soap opera of certain generations.
All juggling aside, we have been trying quite a few new things lately in an effort to live not just longer - but better - healthier.
A local gym moved into town like a tough new sheriff, beckoning us to shape up, or else. We knew we needed to dust off our sneakers and take a look-see. Affordability could not be our excuse; our Medicare advantage plans contribute to the monthly fee. Distance could not be our excuse; we can walk there in about 20-minutes in good weather or drive there in under 5-minutes in any weather. If we had no car, but fast horses, or a fast golf cart, we would still have zero excuses.
The gym has an app that allows us to select multi-week programs. We chose the 8-Week Aging Well Program. It sounded like a good enough place to begin. All we had to do is open the app, tap the day's workout and our exercise list for the 4-day a week program appeared.
We soon found out the really hard part; getting ourselves out of the house. The comforts, and welcome distractions, of home had a strong grip on us. Still do. But once we were in the car, it got a whole lot easier. By the time we'd covered the first 2.5-minute's downhill drive (that’s right, it’s downhill, it doesn’t even cost us much in fuel - there goes another possible excuse), we worked up some confidence that we would complete the day's adventure as planned.
And we did for many weeks, until I had a minor medical procedure. The healing process took far longer than expected. I take full responsibility for temporarily derailing our fitness journey.
The gym left us alone - gave us time to sort ourselves out. No one with a badge, or even a coach's whistle, came knocking at our door to demand our return. Thank goodness.
While I recuperated (translation: held down the couch, interrupted only by necessary dog walks, and snacks) my husband started a new challenge for himself: to walk 10,000 steps per day.
It is not an easy task for him. But he has shown his true grit and determination - qualities of his that I deeply admire. He has now completed 90-days straight of meeting his goal! WOOT! I am so happy for him. And I am deeply grateful too. Despite my derailment, we are working on healthier living together.
One morning, he mentioned that the gym had a new class - chair yoga - and that he wanted to try it. He asked if I'd like to go with him. I was ready to say, "Yes!"
On the first day that I was able to join him, and once I finally got dressed and ready, I noticed that we made it to the car a little easier than we used to. I had less resistance.
A very bubbly, kind, woman was in the classroom when we got there. She was another student, it was her 2nd time to class, and we enjoyed a little chat with her before the instructor arrived.
It was startling, this people-ing out in public! I have spent vast amounts of energy in my adult life trying to avoid that very thing. Even more surprising - I was enjoying myself and it seemed that my hubby was too. Worse yet, I was dressed in yoga pants and a tank top. Yoga. Pants. 😅
Our instructor put us right to work with a combination of yoga, stretching, breathing and other strength-building exercises. It took no time to work up a gentle-ish sweat. Well…perhaps I misspoke. Our instructor, Bobbi, makes us rain with sweat. Thank you, Bobbi!
While “normal” people may have normal mantras, we repeat, “Thank you, Bobbi!” after class, each time we feel the ache from our bodies growing, changing and healing. Our words are dripping with sarcasm - and deep gratitude. This work is adding life to our days and years.
Time flew, class was nearly over, when our instructor turned on a soothing light in the corner and turned off the bright overhead lights. She invited us to sit on the edge of our chairs with our hands on our knees - palms up - as she led us through a mindfulness meditation.
We were asked to try box-breathing: inhale for four counts, hold for four counts, exhale for four counts, and hold for four counts. On the inhale, she invited us to focus on the words, "Be still." And on the exhale, "Let go."
Be still.
Let go.
With every breath, the busy-ness of my mind evaporated. Calm was created in those few moments. My brain felt nourished, rested and restored. My brain had received a highly prized treat. It felt like a sugar rush without the fast-approaching, miserable crash. Brain Candy.
A new craving. A healthy craving.
We were invited to take that healing practice home with us, to use anytime we needed to quiet our minds. I've started using it at night as I am falling asleep.
Be still.
Let go.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Rest for the mind, candy for the brain.
We all deserve nourishment and rewarding self-care.
How will you nourish - and reward - yourself this week?
I love this so much, Jacque! Congrats to you and your husband on what sounds like a rewarding fitness journey. The hardest part for me is getting to the class, but once I'm there, I'm always gratefully energized.
Good for both of you! Coincidentally I pulled out my chair yoga book yesterday to try some of the exercises. It is still on my Kindle somewhere 🙃 I’d probably do better in a class too. You look like you are rocking in Jacque! The line that struck me was this one, “and we [were committed] for many weeks, until I had a minor medical procedure. The healing process took far longer than expected.”
It usually does, and you were still committed to your life span and health span by allowing yourself to rest. And then you got back up to continue your mission. Congratulations! Keep it up.