I’ve never been a sporty person, but I fell in love with yoga when I was around 20. Yoga is my first love, and it continues to be my constant companion. I’ve practised different styles of yoga, and it has changed through the years. Teaching yoga has been my vocation, or dharma, for nearly two decades.
Yoga has benefits whatever our age and wherever we are in our life. And it benefits me now I am in midlife with hormonal changes as I approach peri menopause. Yet because of peri menopause and my bone health, I started thinking of joining the gym,
Benefits of going to the gym
I felt I needed something else as well as my yoga. For one; I know my fitness levels in terms of cardio aren’t the best. Secondly, it is well known that weight training is an excellent support during peri menopause for several reasons:- To support bone health. Osteoporosis is common as we get older, and bone density can reduce around peri menopause.
- Gaining muscle mass. It appears that the hormonal changes during peri- and post-menopause cause increased loss of muscle mass. Lifting weights helps to counteract muscle loss.
- To maintain cardiovascular health during times of fluctuating hormones.
- The gym, weight training and yoga can help our sense of balance (important as we grow older), staying flexible and mobile. This can support us moving up and down from the floor in case of falling.
- Exercise is also excellent for our mental and emotional health, our focus, awareness, our ability to switch off and for sleep.
Too scared to go to the gym?
I appreciate that it is scary to go to the gym. It can be intimidating. We may have the impression that gyms are for the young and fit. For those with the right yoga or sport outfits, who already have a toned or muscular body and know what they are doing. Perhaps these are some of the feelings many people have about coming to a yoga class or a fancy yoga studio.But just like yoga classes, most gyms are impressively inclusive. In my gym, there are people of all ages, men and women, all fitness levels and all body types.
Help from someone else
What I did find intimidating was that I had no idea what I was supposed to do and how to use any of the machines and weights. So, just like in yoga, I found someone who could help me. I had an extensive induction where a staff member showed me around with trialling the different machines. She gave me an initial program I could work with. As a yoga teacher, I know one-to-one sessions can be hugely beneficial. As a teacher, I can create yoga programs to support the individual, their aims or goals, work with their unique body and offer adjustment and alignment.In the gym, I was the student. The beginner. And I invested in a personal trainer who encouraged me, checked my form and alignment and showed me lots of ways I could use the gym and its equipment.
All thanks to the gym
Now I have much more confidence in trying new things in the gym. After only a few months I am lifting heavier weights, my muscle mass has increased and my body shape is changing. I won’t be able to have another bone density test (DEXA scan) for another few years, but I’d be curious to see if it has changed. But even if it hasn’t, I know I support my skeleton, bones and joints through my stronger muscles and posture.If you are still hesitant to go to the gym - go for a visit. Get a staff member to show you around so you can see the place and the other gym members. Shop around if there are more gyms in your area. If you can, I highly recommend investing in a personal trainer for a few sessions to give you confidence and to make sure you use your body the best way possible. And yes, the gym and yoga incredibly well together. You can do both and they benefit each other! Have fun exploring.
[row style="collapse"]
[col span="1/3" ]
[/col]
[col span="1/3" ]
Anja Brierley Lange (BSc, PGDip Āyurveda) is the author of Teaching yoga for the menstrual cycle - an Āyurvedic perspective and an experienced yoga teacher, Āyurvedic practitioner and teacher trainer. Teaching since 2005 she has specialised in yoga and Āyurveda relating to female anatomy and physiology. Originally from Denmark, she moved to London and now lives on the Sussex coast, where she enjoys being by or in the sea. Follow @anja_yogini and check yogaembodied.com for courses, classes and inspiration.
[/row]
