Parvati Magazine October 2014- Equilibrium | Page 17

FITNESS
The dictionary defines
Equilibrium as a state of
feeling of “mental balance; composure.”
No matter what our bodies are subjected to, it
is our thoughts that will
dictate if the experience
is a “good” or “bad.”
There are many ways we
can keep our workouts
balanced, both mentally
and physically.
I always have a more
productive and enjoyable workout if I know my
“why.” Why am I taking
the time to sweat and
do something that sometimes feels like torture? I
do it because it produces
results that sitting on my
ass in front of the tv never
will. I feel strong, my body
gets tighter, I have less
aches and pains than
when I don’t keep my
muscles moving. I do it
because it forces me to
live in the “now.” I am
forced to focus on my
breath and the sensations of my body, I get
out of my head and am
very aware of what is in
front of me now. The only

thing I need to deal with
is the here and now.
I drink three litres of water every day, and bring
water to my workouts. I
eat well to ensure I have
enough energy to perform the movements I
wish to do. When things
get tough, feeling like I
can’t go on, this is where
the workout really begins.
I have the choice, as
we all do, to beat myself
up, to fall into the trap of
thinking, “This is too hard,
I can’t go on. I am too
tired to continue. I am so
out of shape, there is no
use.” There are so many
excuses we can tell ourselves to halt the opportunity of a great experience in each workout.

toxins from my body.
I can view an intense
fitness session as work,
a burden, something I
dread doing. Or I can
go into it with wonder,
expectation of learning
something new about
my body’s capabilities
and my own ability to dig
deep and find space to
create joy in each session. You have the ability
to balance your thoughts
with the energy of your
body, to create a workout that fills you up, and
allows you to feel a sense
of true accomplishment.
Maintaining your composure when the going gets
tough, is just a thought
away.

Or I can choose thoughts
to supp ort my efforts, as I
would a best friend. I can
listen to my body and
rest when I really need
to. I can tell myself, I am
working to the best of my
current ability and I know
with each movement, I
am getting closer to my
goal, becoming stronger
and releasing stress and

Sandra O’Brien is mother to the world’s three most fabulous children. She
is also a Law of Attraction Life Coach, Personal Trainer, yoga instructor,
published author and Reiki healer. Her work has been featured on CityLine
Television, and The Toronto Star. She is owner of Muskoka Hot Yoga,
and Muskoka Goddess, offering hot yoga, tabata bootcamps, personal
training and coaching. She created the Goddess Creation system, a
female fitness program to blowtorch body fat, sculpt sexy lean muscle and
empower women everywhere to be the best version of themselves, inside
and out. She enjoys dancing, reading, hiking in the forest, meditation.
For more information on Sandra, please visit www.muskokahotyoga.com.