I read the free Washington Express paper as I metro downtown to my office every morning. I especially enjoy the Tuesday's feature section on exercise and fitness.
One of today's lead articles, "Ghosts of Fitness Fads Past," discussed fitness equipment and gadgets that many people buy off those early morning or late night infomercials. No need to be chagrined - I have fallen prey in the past (kind of long past) to promises of six-pack abs and tight buns just by 3 minutes a day on a magical fitness machine that you use at home. Three out of the four items discussed from past years were recommended for the trash. Only The Step, a "sturdy plastic board used in cardio routines" was considered worthwhile enough to keep.
What I love about hatha yoga is that you really need no equipment except your mat. As I have discussed earlier, yoga accoutrements such as blocks, balls, and belts abound - but, you really don't need them. Beside your mat, gentle hatha yoga requires only your focus, commitment, and a small segment of your day. No money wasted on equipment that crams your basement or collects dust in your spare room. Yoga is a wonderful, scientific system of stretching and breathing that will never go out of style, in my opinion!
Wisdom of the Day: "Yoga's here to stay! No machines to toss away!" ~Laura V. Rodriguez
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