Sorry if the title of this blog is a bit of a stretch. (Ok sorry, I will stop.) 

I never thought I would be the type of person to have a favorite yoga position but now I have at least five. And on top of that, I have five favorite Pilates moves, too. These two exercises have become some of my favorite because I can feel the results in my body right after the class. I feel stronger right away plus both require focus on the breath which is immensely helpful for getting myself to quit anxious spiraling in my head (one of my brain’s unfortunate default settings)  

Like all classes at the Y, yoga and Pilates (which I’m categorizing as low impact exercises, even though the results don’t seem low-impact), are made even better by really supportive teachers. In my first Pilates class, the teacher asked my name, and then when I went back SHE REMEMBERED MY NAME, which totally blew my mind.  

I’ve tried to make it to at least one low-impact class a week because it really makes me feel good to be in a room full of people attempting to be mindful about the way they use their bodies. Being in class with others makes me feel like we’re all working together toward a goal of strength and flexibility. Plus, it helps me to get out of my head and focus on the small motions of my body.  

Yoga and Pilates are also known for being highly adaptable for all body types and fitness levels. So if you have a hurt knee or a crick in your back, your instructor can work with you to help you get the most out of the class. 

If you’re new to the world of yoga and Pilates, there are classes at the Y that are focused on the fundamentals, and if you’re an old pro, there are classes for you, too!  

Find the Pilates or yoga class for you here.