The colder months can be a challenging and unmotivating time to stay committed to a daily yoga practice. While I do love to snuggle up under a weighted blanket and watch a movie while drinking a cup of tea, I know that I always feel better moving my body. Below are six tips that help me stay motivated to move my body and elevate my mood during chilly days. It is my hope that they serve you and inspire you to stay committed to your health and well-being this winter.
Make a vibey playlist – Music has the power to uplift and motivate us. Whenever I need an extra dose of motivation, I listen to my favorite songs and that gets me going. Check out the playlist ZENTS and I collaborated on by clicking here or by scrolling to the bottom!
Dress warmly – The keyword here is layers. Layer up, your body will begin to warm up once you get moving and grooving. A cozy zip up and warm socks will go a long way in raising your body’s temperature.
Crank up your heater – On days that it’s just too cold, raise the temperature of the room you are practicing in. The warmth from the heater will gradually begin to loosen muscles and tight joints. The warmer you are, the more enticing it will be to get on your mat and move your body.
Give yourself some love – Just a few minutes of self-massage to wake up your muscles will help support balance and stamina for your yoga or fitness practice by preparing you for mobility. I love squeezing about a pea-size amount of my ORE Lotion into one palm with three to four spritzes of ORE Body Oil and gently massaging the mixture into my calves before getting started. The sensual aroma of orris and ylang-ylang help me feel more connected to myself during practice while also getting the muscles in my calves ready for action.
Roll out your mat – Get on your mat and just move your body. Your practice does not have to be long or complex. 15-30 minutes of movement will release endorphins, helping you to feel good. Some of my favorite ways to stoke my inner fire is doing a few rounds of Breath of Fire, Simple Sun Salutations and a vibey-feel good flow. If you need guidance, head over to the ZENTS Wellness Room Facebook Group for your daily dose of wellness. You’ll find classes including guided yoga, meditation, fitness and more available for anyone from beginners to those more experienced. You can also check out my classes on glo!
As always, please listen to your body! If you need to rest and recover, snuggle up under a blanket, or enjoy a nice relaxing body soak by tossing in a decadent arnica, epsom and pink himalayan salt enriched Bath Truffles to treat your sore or tired muscles. But, if you want to shake out the winter blues, breath and movement can help reset and reorganize the energy in your body and mind.
– Gustavo Padron
About Gustavo
Gustavo is a fitness instructor living in Austin, Texas with a desire to inspire and empower people through high-spirited classes. While preparing for a career in the field of medicine, Gustavo suffered a hamstring injury while running. On his quest to heal his body and manage stress, he discovered yoga. Over the last eight years, Gustavo has been uplifting his community through joyful movement, soothing meditations, and light-hearted classes. When not teaching, you can find Gustavo at a coffee shop writing blogs for local publications or crafting his upcoming book. https://www.gustavopadron.com/ instagram.com/gustavoapadron
