Move over, new year, new you, 2023 is all about a nourished you. When entering a new year, it’s easy to feel discouraged by toxic gym culture and messages that shame newly motivated people and put too much pressure on their physical appearance. Hearing these statements can make it hard to feel safe, especially in a new space. Instead of focusing on what others say, focus on nourishing yourself and your body. Some of the best ways to continue healthy habits throughout the year are to attend to your body and set feasible goals. If you’re a regular at a gym or a studio, remember fitness spaces can be intimidating to new community members, so welcoming others and prioritizing your wellness can make the fitness community a safe space for everyone.
A new year or new month doesn’t have to be the only time to start new goals. This can happen any time of the year or day of the week, as long as you put your mind to it and make goals that are important to your growth. Focus on creating long-term sustainable goals that feel achievable to you. Don’t feel pressured to make a goal you know you won’t stick to or a goal that is unsustainable for your lifestyle. Remember that goals can be simple too, such as drinking more water throughout the day and taking a morning walk.
Yoga is widely known as a discipline in which people hold different poses to strengthen the mind and body. However, there are many more benefits of incorporating the practice into your life that you may need to realize. Listed below are a few of the benefits that have been supported through scientific research:
- Yoga Improves Mental Health: An analysis of 23 interventions looking at the effects of yoga-based treatments on depressive symptoms overwhelmingly concluded that yoga can now be considered an effective alternative treatment for Major Depressive Disorder (NCBI).
- Yoga Improves Flexibility: A study found that yoga both slowed down loss and improved flexibility in older adults (Healthline). This study provides evidence for promoting yoga in physical activity guidelines for older adults to improve aspects of fitness like flexibility (NCBI).
- Yoga Relieves Stress: Based on a study conducted to investigate the effects of yoga on women living in Ilam, Iran, it was found that depression, anxiety, and stress decreased significantly after 12 sessions of regular yoga practice. Therefore, it can be used as complementary medicine (NCBI).
- Yoga Improves Sleep: Yoga has been shown to improve how quickly people fall asleep and how deeply they stay asleep (NCBI). This is partly due to the aftereffects of exercise and the mind-calming and stress relief provided by yoga specifically (Healthline).
- Yoga Builds Strength: There is a common misconception that the only way to build strength is by lifting weights. However, stronger yoga styles such as Vinyasa are a great way to build muscular endurance and strength (Women’s Health).
Glow Yoga’s 2023 mantra, New Year New You, Nourished Year, promotes a positive outlook on movement and health. The slogan redefines the saying, new year, new you, which often results in unrealistic goals and negative self-talk when not achieved. Focusing on ways to make your internal self happy will translate externally, creating a happy and nourished you. Glow Yoga offers a range of classes, from mindful mobility to kettlebell flow. The studio prioritizes movement that feels good through modern, mindful, movement. The studio is open seven days a week and welcomes all yoga experience levels. To receive the first Glow Yoga class free, press this link.