Importance of Cardio
I was born an athletic type in a pretty athletically driven family. My father did the famous 20 min workout everyday with those hot chicks on TV bouncing to the 80’s aerobics music, My brother was on the rugby and foot ball team in high school, and my sister was a jogger and then went on to boxing (mostly for the intense workout, although she was the amateur national champion for 9 years). I was more resistance to actually doing anything for my health or body, makes sense that I’m the yogi. I liked playing sports, being with people and the competition was exciting. Those were the things that I did that involved cardio. But for the sake of doing it for my body or looking good, I wasn’t really that interested. I did, however, want to be healthy, so I took up jogging, but hated it, then tried aerobics, and hated it because I was so uncoordinated. I just stopped trying to do anything that required my lungs and heart to pump like that, unless it was a sporty fun thing with friends. And those were seasonal where I grew up, so I did the couch potato and eating sports.
In the past few years, I surrendered to the fact that I “have” to do some cardio activity to feel good and be healthy. I, personally, noticed a huge shift in my hormonal mood swings when I’m doing cardio a few times a week. Big difference! There are no swings, just neutrality – amazing. I have done the test for the past few months. Of course I didn’t notice in the moment, but now taking evaluation after the blow-out fact, I realize that I have way less extreme emotions and out-bursts when I’m sweating and moving my body every couple of days. I’m happier all around.
As I’ve dove into my yoga practice for the past ten years, I have dropped everything else, especially cardio or sports that were giving me some of that heart pumping action. I am creating a new definition of cardio for me so I’m not daunted by thinking I have to run on a treadmill for 30 min or go to a pool and do laps. I need and want fun with my cardio workout. I’m playing with bike rides, swimming (snorkeling, treading water, playing in the pool), jumping rope, dancing in my living room and anything else that makes me feel elated and sweaty. I feel so good when I’m playing and getting this type of exercise. This is one big reason I practice Dance and Yoga together now, and teach that way. Dancing is the big (FUN) cardio and Yoga is the strengthening and stretching aspect. Together, the practice is perfectly delicious.