Weight Loss & Meditation

Meditation is now very mainstream and a wonderful way to lower stress, blood pressure, promote more positive thinking as well as helping with weight loss. 

Many think that meditation is a difficult art to master and some think of it as part of  yoga.  Some Yogis do use a form of meditation, but everyone can learn to quiet the mind without sitting in a special room or using special props.

Meditation not only helps to clear your mind but allows your body to let go of all negative emotions allowing for healing. 

Find a quiet place that you enjoy; it can be at home, in park, even in a museum.  You don't have to be lying down or sitting cross legged in loose fitting clothes on a mat. Sitting on a park bench or in a comfortable chair will work.  Close your eyes and focus on your breathing.  Feel your breath enter and exit your body and begin to let go of any negativity you are holding on to; allow it to flow out through your fingers and toes.
Begin to clear your mind of all thought.  Thoughts will enter your mind, just allow them in and just as quickly allow them to flow out.  Be aware of your body as you continue to let go and relax.  If you  are lying down, try not to nap...keep the focus on your breath. 

As you continue to practice meditation stress levels will fall; you will find you have more energy,  more alert and focused and less apt to binge or snack.

Yoga and Workouts

As a personal trainer and yoga instructor I meet many athletes and workout fanatics. With a new client I ask if yoga is part of their workouts; many will say they haven’t the time to add yoga to their schedule. Some say they don’t see how stretching would be of any benefit to them. On the other hand others discovered yoga after an injury.


Yoga practice includes flexibility training, core stabilization, strength and balance work. Yoga can help you recover quicker after a workout, open the tight areas that hinder performance, improve range of motion and develop mental focus and concentration.


Many sports have repetitive movements usually in one direction and in one plane of motion. Certain muscle develop while others are ignored. This causes imbalance in muscles and joints and over time results in injury.

Yoga goes beyond simple stretching by working the muscles and joints through all ranges of motion.


Yoga has been practiced for around 5,000 years. If you are a competitive athlete, it is best to tailor your yoga practice to your training schedule. On a day where you are completing a long run for example, you'll want relaxing, mellow yoga. If you have an off-day, a vigorous, dynamic class will help you build strength and endurance.

Yoga helps the muscles, tendons, and ligaments move through a full range of motion, thus cultivating balance and core strength which is a huge benefit to athletes in their chosen sports. If you attend a few classes per week and/or a few 10-15 minute sessions at home, you will obtain fast results. A simple way to add in yoga is to perform your short sessions pre- or post-workout.

Yoga is practiced by many professional athletes and teams; give it a try, you won’t be disappointed and you’ll feel so much better!!