The Importance of Body Conditioning

Often times when people seek to loose weight and become more toned the main emphasis is on cardio, weight and resistance training. And while these are important aspects for weight loss, it is also important to incorporate yoga, Thai Chi or Pilates into your workout regimen. These forms of exercises are conditioning for your body.

When you cleanse your hair, you use shampoo, however the most vital step is conditioning. Shampoo simply cleanses the dirt and debris from the scalp, but conditioning detangles, nourishes and brings the hair follicles back to its natural state. Can you imagine only shampooing your hair and never using a conditioner? Your hair would smell and look clean, but it wouldn't have body, and fullness and would very hard to comb through. This same concept applies to body conditioning.

There are three key components to a strong, lean, sexy and fit body. These components are: Cardio, Strength and Resistance Training, AND Conditioning. When you spend all of your time doing cardio, strength and resistance training, you may feel strong, but actually you could be stronger. Your body needs conditioning to lengthen your muscles, so they can become stronger, and to iron out the kinks. When you neglect the conditioning aspect of exercise, it is like driving a car over and over again without giving it a tune up or oil change. Those things are the life of any car, and likewise conditioning is the focal point of your strength. When your body is very loose and limber it can move much easier than a body that is stiff and rigid. And surely conditioning exercises will prevent you from suffering injury.

Exercises such as Pilates, yoga and Thai Chi are great options and can be taken on any level. Please note the difference between the three.

***Regardless of what class you choose, it is important to stretch in my opinion 2hrs a week and of course before and after your cardio and strength/resistance training.

Pilates focuses on your core or 'power house' and breathing with precise movements. Pilates IS NOT A STRETCHING CLASS! However some yoga stretches are included for the warmup and cool down. You can either attend a mat class or a reformer Pilates class which includes various equipment. Pilates, in my opinion is like performing strength training moves at half speed while focusing on your core and breath. Depending on your teacher you may sweat in Pilates, but will ultimately notice a more lean, toned and sculpted body after attending 2 or 3 classes per week.

Yoga is an ancient practice created by Buddha and is based on stretching, and lengthening the body while concentrating within. The class will start with some form of centering, either seated or standing, and ends with Savasana (meditation) or 'Corpse Pose'. Sometimes the use of special breathing techniques and chants are included in a class. With yoga it is important to deeply breath throughout the extent of each pose, and let your breath guide you through the poses. Yoga helps improve posture, strength and flexibility. Some stretches even have benefits for digestion, blood circulation, arteries, illness and diseases, and of course your overall well being. After consistently practicing for at least 3 hours per week you will also notice an improved awareness of your body and the world around you. Currently I practice 5 hours per week and highly recommend this form of exercise for those who want a more longer, and leaner body and clearer state of mind.

Thai Chi is something I am not completely familiar with, but it is more of a blend between yoga and Pilates. It is like a more fast paced yoga, and certainly not quite Pilates, flowing through the stretches, and sometimes holding stretches while moving other parts of your body. Thai Chi is meditative therapeutic and will help you get in touch with your inner self.