Busy and Healthy

It's been a busy week here at the creek. There are lots of storms rolling through this time of year. Keeping up with the mowing and trimming can be a challenge. Working outside is a great source of healthy exercise, but it can also be tough on the back, especially chores like weeding the berry patch. I'm going to have some dandy berries this year if the blossoms are any indication.

There are two things I do to keep going strong when I'm working outside. The first is yoga. I was a yoga instructor for 11 years and have been practicing for almost 15 years.  There's a simple flow of yoga poses  I use every day to keep my back healthy and flexible. It loosens the tightness and eases the tension you get from lots of bending and lifting, and also from sitting in front of a computer for hours at a time. It's called the standing warmup flow.

This flow doesn't require a mat or even taking off your shoes. It works the spine in every direction and uses all the major muscles and joints. Use this flow to wake up, warm up, relieve stress, relax, or simply to become centered by focusing on your breath. Repeat the flow as many times as you choose. Move into each pose while inhaling or exhaling as indicated. Always move with your breath:

• Mountain Pose — exhale
• Standing Stretch — inhale
• Forward Fold — exhale
• Standing Stretch — inhale

• Right Side Lateral Stretch — exhale
• Standing Stretch — inhale
• Left Side Lateral Stretch — exhale
• Standing Stretch — inhale
• Mountain Pose — exhale
• Front Archer Pose — inhale
• Right Archer Pose — exhale
• Front Archer Pose — inhale
• Left Archer Pose — exhale
• Front Archer Pose — inhale
• Chair Pose — exhale
• Back Bend Pose — inhale
• Mountain Pose — exhale

I recommend the Yoga Journal index of poses for help with the individual poses in this flow. It's a great reference on poses and how to perform them safely.

The second thing I do to keep going strong is fill my water bottle with Liftoff from Herbalife. Whether I'm riding on the tractor, pushing the mower, or pulling weeds, Liftoff hydrates and gives me a boost of energy at the same time.

If you have any questions about the standing warmup flow or Liftoff, let me know.

Namaste