Everyone told me that after I graduated college, I would immediately become healthy, have a set workout routine, lose weight, and have a blossoming career at my dream job. Well… it didn’t happen right away as promised.
My mom had passed away a month after I graduated and it put my life at a stand still - quite literally. I didn’t do anything for about 7 months, granted my friends and family told me it took time to recover from such a loss, but I am not one to stall. After seven months of mourning, I decided to get my life back on track. But how? I refused to take anti-depressants or go to any more therapy, I wanted to do it in a natural, progressive way. My mom had always been a HUGE yogi, and was constantly pushing me to try it. So I figured this would be a good time to start…
I signed up for a week of free yoga at Core Power Yoga, a trial run offered to new members. I remember my very first class as if it were yesterday. The postures and meditated breathing were all foreign to me. It took me almost half the class to understand and appreciate what was going on around me. When I let my inhibitions go, I began to set myself free in this strange new environment. In a mere hour I had released all negative energy surrounding me, let go of my stress, and miraculously discovered inner peace. At the end of the class I laid there crying. I was more tranquil than I had been in months. And this was only after AN HOUR in the yoga studio. So, needless to say, I kept going… and going, and going.
Slowly yoga led me into beginning a healthier lifestyle. I started substituting my Diet Cokes for green tea, removed gluten from my diet, worked out every day, began surrounding myself with better people, and finally started looking for a job.
And my life turned a 180. Honestly. Yoga changed everything for me. Trust me, I know it sounds dramatic and absolutely ridiculous, but it’s a space where I can look inside myself and realize my true potential. Corny - I know. I thought my mom was just as corny. But since I’ve started changing my life I have urged everyone I know to follow my lead. And now I’m urging you…
I once stumbled upon a quote that read “It only takes one person to change your life: YOU” What are we all waiting for? The only time we have is now. If I could help anyone else transform their lives the way I transformed mine, my advice is simple:
1. Do something that makes you sweat, every day. Push your body to where it’s never been before, you’ll be amazed at what you can truly do. More specifically, I recommend doing yoga. You can find dozens of locations near you, my personal favorite however is Core Power Yoga. Both the instructors and classes are absolutely amazing. You get a week trial FOR FREE. Try it out.
2. Do whatever it is that makes you happy.
3. Drink green tea AT LEAST three times a day. Did you know that the antioxidant in green tea is 100 times more effective than vitamin C and 24 times better than vitamin E? It also contains an antioxidant known as polyphenols which helps you fight against aging. AND green tea burns fat and boosts your metabolism naturally. So… why not drink it as much as possible?
4. Look at every situation as being half full. Being a pessimist will only bring yourself and others around you down. Raise yourself up, in the process others will follow your lead.
I used yoga as an inspiration for the principles I follow today. I wholeheartedly believe that what you put in your body is what you exert out into the world. The more good you put in, (whether it be the food you eat or the love of your friends and family) the more good you put out. So lets all put as much good as we can back into this world and strive to Live Worldly.
