Wellness
Tips From Fitness Instructors on How to Stay Grounded
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It seems like we are always welcoming a new month of busy. Holidays. Ski trips. Summer vacation. Can you constantly feel the change in the air? And no, I am not talking about the different seasons.
Between working, packing, shopping, scheduling, we have to wonder where does self-care fit in? How do we find time for ourselves?
Invest your time in exploring ways to support both feet on the ground. Say "no" to frantic chaos and hello to joy in the world—our inner world. I am committed to a clear balance between family and work in my calendar. With that, I know (and understand) the space to feel and check-in with myself, whether it’s out on a hike, or with a dose of self-care—a facial, massage, or meditation in my closet (the quietest spot in the house). Committing to me first actually allows me to ground down and choose my calendar from a clear and intentional space.
So how do others find balance? We spoke with some of the most grounded instructors in the wellness business to get real-life tips:
Honor your path.
“I can lose myself in one too many espresso shots and my Instagram feed, but I do know what brings me right back to my grounded way of being. For me, it's moving back into a relationship with my breath through meditation and yoga, spending time writing in my notebook (and less time in Gmail) and filling myself up with things that feel nourishing (often it's both an oat milk latte and a grounding maca smoothie.) I do believe that grounding will look different for each of us, and it's important to honor your path. The question I ask myself is—what would bring me back home to me?”
- Mary Beth LaRue | Los Angeles
International Yoga Teacher and Mentor, Co-founder of Rock Your Bliss
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Honor your path.
“I can lose myself in one too many espresso shots and my Instagram feed, but I do know what brings me right back to my grounded way of being. For me, it's moving back into a relationship with my breath through meditation and yoga, spending time writing in my notebook (and less time in Gmail) and filling myself up with things that feel nourishing (often it's both an oat milk latte and a grounding maca smoothie.) I do believe that grounding will look different for each of us, and it's important to honor your path. The question I ask myself is—what would bring me back home to me?”
- Mary Beth LaRue | Los Angeles
International Yoga Teacher and Mentor, Co-founder of Rock Your Bliss
Gather a broader perspective.
“When I'm feeling ‘ungrounded,’ or as if the train is flying off the tracks, I close my eyes, get quiet with myself, and do a scan. I scan my physical self first—am I thirsty, hungry, or tired? Followed by my emotional self—is there a current situation that might make me feel unbalanced emotionally? And lastly, my mental self—am I overthinking? What thought can I put to rest? Often times, this scan helps me step out of the spiral that is my current state, soften the intensity, and gather a broader perspective. It aids in seeing what I can own in regards to how I ended up in this state, and also leads me to choices of action that will start to move me back to a place of grounded.”
- Jillian Keaveny | Denver
Fitness Instructor, Co-founder of Compass Fitness
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Gather a broader perspective.
“When I'm feeling ‘ungrounded,’ or as if the train is flying off the tracks, I close my eyes, get quiet with myself, and do a scan. I scan my physical self first—am I thirsty, hungry, or tired? Followed by my emotional self—is there a current situation that might make me feel unbalanced emotionally? And lastly, my mental self—am I overthinking? What thought can I put to rest? Often times, this scan helps me step out of the spiral that is my current state, soften the intensity, and gather a broader perspective. It aids in seeing what I can own in regards to how I ended up in this state, and also leads me to choices of action that will start to move me back to a place of grounded.”
- Jillian Keaveny | Denver
Fitness Instructor, Co-founder of Compass Fitness
Clear the clutter.
“Two go-to grounding rituals I regularly practice: silencing the radio in my car with windows open and taking a walk with my dog. I feel grounded when the clutter has been cleared. Clutter can be my active and self-critical mind or my over-stuffed tote bag resting against a paper stack. I rely on movement, some quiet, and re-focusing on my goals to regain balance and feel grounded.”
- Kathryn Smith | Durham, NC
Yoga Teacher and Founder of Yoga Off East
Remember, finding balance is a personal experience. Can you become more grounded to help you listen in, feel the mind and body to, in turn, create choice?
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Clear the clutter.
“Two go-to grounding rituals I regularly practice: silencing the radio in my car with windows open and taking a walk with my dog. I feel grounded when the clutter has been cleared. Clutter can be my active and self-critical mind or my over-stuffed tote bag resting against a paper stack. I rely on movement, some quiet, and re-focusing on my goals to regain balance and feel grounded.”
- Kathryn Smith | Durham, NC
Yoga Teacher and Founder of Yoga Off East
Remember, finding balance is a personal experience. Can you become more grounded to help you listen in, feel the mind and body to, in turn, create choice?
Fitness
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month—Here’s How You Can Make a Difference
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Approximately 12,000 women aged 40 or younger are diagnosed with breast cancer every year*. Fortunately, there are preventative steps that we can take to help protect ourselves and each other—one of the best ones being exercise. That’s right. Not only does exercise help us release endorphins, but just 30 minutes of exercise three to four times per week can help decrease a person’s risk of developing breast cancer by 30–50%*.
This is hope in a statistic. Just by adopting a more healthy, active lifestyle, we could prevent the risk of developing breast cancer, while also inspiring others to reduce their risk as well. Keep A Breast Foundation has made doing just this their mission through their annual fundraising campaign, Fit 4 Prevention.
Every October, studios from all over the globe participate by raising money through donation-based workout classes for the Keep A Breast Foundation (KAB). They have created a national movement dedicated to educating others about breast cancer prevention through fitness and wellness—something Mindbody is extremely passionate about. Participating in your favorite activities, all while supporting, preventing, and spreading awareness about breast cancer awareness? Let’s get moving.
Encourage your favorite studio to sign up for the event
If you want to take a donation-based class at your favorite studio, encourage your favorite studios to sign up to bring your community closer together in a meaningful way. Registering is quick and easy. If you think your local studio may be interested in participating, have them check out KAB’s help page—where they can learn how to register for a donation-based class during the month of October. KAB even has a social media kit available to fitness studios to help them promote their donation-based classes.
Other ways to help
Can’t find a local studio to take a donation-based class near you? Don’t worry, you can still give your support by donating directly to KAB’s website. Luckily, any time that you are moving your body and spreading the word—you’re doing your part in spreading awareness on how to help prevent breast cancer. That is beyond amazing.
This October, we hope you’ll join us in our plight to support the KAB Foundation and its mission to help prevent breast cancer through cultivating a healthier, more active lifestyle. Through movement, health, and wellness—we can reach great heights, together.
To learn more about the KAB Foundation and its mission and how you can get involved further, visit their website.
* National Cancer Institute
