Yoga: It’s what’s for… dessert?
Happy Monday! We’re enjoying a little vacation in San Diego, so I invited some friends to stop by the blog while we’re away. Today’s guest post is from Erin! She reached out to me about guest posting, and I always peruse articles by potential guest bloggers to see if they would be a good fit for my site. Her style of writing is so much fun and in addition to her wealth of yoga knowledge, she makes practicing accessible and enjoyable. I asked her if she’d mind creating a yoga video for you all- I hope you love it! <3
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My name’s Erin Motz and I’m a yoga teacher & blogger for the Huffington Post , MindBodyGreen, Yoganonymous, and the writer behind The Bad Yogi column for DoYouYoga. Yoga and writing are kind of my “thing” and I’m super excited to hang out with you guys while Gina is away! I found her blog for a couple years ago and got hooked on the shennanigans, pretty pictures, and recipe ideas. Since Gina also loves yoga and chocolate, our match-up was one made in heaven. I’d love to tell you that I’m of the sort of girl who enjoys eating overnight oats and smearing almond butter on everything, but I’ll just be real with you: I’m a different breed of yogi. I’m the carnivorous, red wine and French cheese-loving type and I aim to keep my classes fun and accessible. You won’t hear much Sanskrit but you’ll probably get plenty of corny jokes, lots of core work, and sweet, delicious deep stretches.
Before you burn me at the kale stake for my blasphemies, let me explain! I take pride in my health (really – I teach yoga 20 times a week!), but you will likely catch me with chocolate, cheese, and sourdough bread in my shopping cart more often than Kombucha or chia seeds.
But, today we’re stepping out of the kitchen for something different! I’m bringing you some Yoga for Stress Relief: Because we all know that once you’ve picked out all the chunks of brownie and cookie dough, that carton of Ben & Jerry’s is pretty much useless. Yes, step away from the ice cream and do something your body will actually thank you for.
Why do it?
- Release tension in the hips, lower back, and neck
- Slow down the heart rate
- Increase endorphins
- Improve sleep
The whole thing should take you about 10 minutes, and let’s be honest – we can all find that kind of time somewhere in our day. It literally took me longer than that to pick out which leggings to wear this morning!
Got questions, comments, profanity?! I want to hear it all!
16 Comments
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Wow 20 times a week, that’s impressive!
Hey, I like my red wine too. I love healthy food, but indulgences are for sure necessary 🙂
This is great, I tend to get stressed easily and when that happens my neck and back get super sore since I tend to tense there. Definitely planning on doing this later, hopefully after my day!
Great post!!! I’ve started doing yoga at night to zen out before bedtime so this is riiiight in my wheel house! 🙂
No burning at the stake from this girl!! I’m a bit of a dark chocoholic myself. Thank you for this post- I have NEVER done yoga before and think I need to start for several reasons, not least of which is honestly stress management, but I’ve never really considered doing it because I thought (now please don’t burn ME at the stake) “eh, it just doesn’t seem like a real enough workout.” I think my past way of thinking was very wrong (particular thanks to Gina for a past post I saw about the same thing!), and I’m looking for gyms/studios right now. This post gives me something to start with, thank you!
Hey girl! So funny – it not being a workout is definitely a common thought! The great thing about yoga is that it can pretty much be anything you want it to be. Sometimes it’s restorative and relaxing, and others it’ll make you sweat and pray for Savasana 😉 I may be biased, but in my opinion, it’s good for everything.
Any tips for picking a yoga class/studio? I’m looking at a classes offered at a gym I’m joining and trying to decide between that and going through a local yoga studio- any advice would be MUCHO appreciated!!! 🙂
Well, depends what you’re looking for. If you want something to ease you into it at a more chill pace, go to a yoga studio and look for a class that’s described as “Level 1,” “Slow Flow,” “Gentle Yoga,” etc. If you’re looking for a little more spice, pick one that’s called Power, Vinyasa, Level 2, Bikram, Hot, etc… Every city/gym is totally different but I find I’m often disappointed with class offerings at a gym. But honestly, that’s where I took my first class and where I first started teaching, so sometimes you land on a good one. Don’t let my opinion discourage you from giving it a try. What’s the worst that could happen? 🙂
Hey Erin!! I know that it’s a bit late to be replying- but I wanted you to know that I tried my first yoga class yesterday, and OH MY GOODNESS I think I’m already addicted!
I love nighttime yoga routines that are quick to get you to sleep easier as my mind is so busy right now. Awesome post 🙂
I love doing yoga sequences like this, especially when I work out in the evenings instead of the mornings. It helps me wind down and be able to sleep better.
Great post Erin! Thanks so much, I’ll definitely be using this over and over again!
Perfect after the painful half marathon I ran on Saturday!
Thank you for sharing that! I will be re-watching it for sure! I’ve just re-started my yoga journey after my initial experience really made me dislike it, I’ve decided to give it a second chance.
I’m currently on restrictions per the doctor for running related injuries, however, I think yoga is something I can still enjoy while I “rest and recover”. Thanks for the video!
Bookmarked with a goal to do this at least twice/3x times a week! I love your style of teaching and I hope you have more videos out there (I’ll do some Googling). Not only has my week been stressful, but I did a really long hike the other day and my hips were thanking me after finishing this.
So glad to hear that! 🙂 It’s actually part of my New Year’s Resolutions to make vides more regularly, so there will be more coming! I promise 🙂
Awesome!! Any recommendations for at-my-desk-at-work modifications or poses? 🙂