M is for Movement

Spring is an excellent time to reset your metabolism and get moving. As the sun gains more strength, so do we. It's easier to find the time and motivation to move as the days get longer and warmer. Although it's hard to resist exercise at any time of year on Marco Island, spring is a good time to renew your commitment to a fitness plan.

Humans are designed to move. We wouldn't have legs if we were meant to sit or be stationary! Circulation is key to health. We are physically made up of 80-90% water. Circulating the water through our blood and lymph is how we keep toxic build-up at bay. We can do this by moving the body every day.

Imagine a puddle. Its stagnancy collects pollutants and toxins from the environment, and it becomes dirty. Now, visualize the waves of the gulf. The continual movement of the ebb and flow of the tide refresh and recycle the water. In this same way, moving our body regenerates our cellular health.

Sometimes an exercise plan can cause more stress than the benefits of exercise. Common misconceptions are that you need to perform a hard-core sweaty workout, lift heavy weights, or commit to 30-60 minutes continually to have a beneficial effect. This approach will definitely show positive results, but the research shows continual movement throughout the day can have the same impact with less stress. For example, walk for 15 minutes in the morning, garden for 20 minutes after lunch, and stretch for 20 minutes before bed. In addition, getting outside to move has a double impact. You gain energy from the sun and the fresh air. The main idea is that moving throughout the day can be better than working out hard for one hour and sitting at your desk or lying on the couch for the rest of the day.

An invigorating way to move on Marco outdoors is by walking or biking down to South Beach for Beach Yoga. Beach yoga is a beautiful way to be active and in flow with nature. The instructors are well trained, and modifications are made for all ages and fitness levels. It is a non-intimidating way to move your body with inspiration to embrace your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

If you're new to yoga, you can expect a combination of static strength, balance, and stretch postures (asanas) with the opportunity to flow to each at your own pace. I love yoga because you get the best of breathwork, strength training, and stretching, all within an hour time frame. On top of that, yoga practice is like a self-massage. The entire sequence of poses aligns your skeletal system, strengthens your muscles, and tones your organs. And as a newbie, there is no need to be concerned about completing the entire hour. To lay on your yoga mat, breathe in the salt air, and let the sun melt your muscle tension is totally acceptable!

When you participate in Beach Yoga, stress relief is an added bonus as you engage all five senses. The magnificent view of the blue sky and water combined with the sound of the birds and tide instantly reduce your blood pressure. The taste and smell of the salt air relieve any breathing or sinus irritation. And finally, the warmth of the sun on your skin and the grains of sand beneath your feet ground and connect you to the greater powers of nature. Finally, the mindful guidance of the instructors gently elevates your mood, and you leave completely rejuvenated.

Marco Island Beach Yoga is a donation-based collective effort by Debby Amicucci, Laurie Kasperbauer, MJ Proske, and Pam Oliver. It began in 2013 and evolved over the last decade into a seven-day-a-week regular practice that attracts locals and tourists. After class, you have the opportunity for a group photo-op or to purchase a Marco Island Yoga T-shirt, in which all proceeds are donated to the beach.

During October through April, they offer a 6:30 AM full-moon class. This spectacular event presents a practice as the full moon sets into the Gulf of Mexico and the sun rises over the island. There are no moon classes May through September to respect the sea turtles. Classes are held at South Beach, just south of the Apollo Condominium. You can check the weekly schedule on the Facebook page Marco Island Yoga.

JoAnne Pavin is an integrative wellness consultant, speaker and founder of The Meal magazine – a quarterly publication that inspires people to slow down and connect around the experience of the meal. She has over two decades of experience offering customized wellness services to individuals and companies incorporating nutrition education, fitness, meditation, and mindset training to promote healthier, more balanced lifestyles. She has a B.S. in Biology, is a certified Ayurveda and Yoga Practitioner with Ayurvedic studies from the International Academy of Ayurveda in Prune, India. In addition, she’s a certified Weight Management Consultant, Optimize Coach, Licensed Massage Therapist, and Registered Yoga Instructor through Yoga Alliance. To learn more about Creative Day Renewal retreats on Marco, visit www.joannepavin.com or contact her at jpavin@themeal.net.

JoAnne Pavin is not a medical or psychological doctor, and her recommendations are not a substitute for conventional medicine, diagnosis, or treatment. Any food, herbs, or nutritional advice that are recommended are not drugs and may need professional medical or psychological review before the individual may receive it.