Movement and activity is an important part of healthy living. But it can be difficult to start if you haven't tried in a long time. On this page you will resources and guides that are fun ways to get your body moving at various levels of intensity.

number 1. walking

I want to specifically highlight one of the simpliest and most effective meathods of moving first. Going outside for walks is one of the best things you can do for your mind and body. Walking is a meditative practice and walking daily can reduce stress by lowering your heart rate. Your mind can relax as it notices small sounds and changes in the enviroment. You may even say hello to people you walk by. Ideally, you could walk in a nature setting without headphone. But you could also walk with some music, on the sidewalk, maybe around the park. Just make sure you are keeping safe by wearing the proper clothing for the weather, footwear, and knowing your surroundings. You should set a goal for how many steps you talk, which is usually reccomended to be ~10,000 steps. If you are currently sedentary, you can work your way up to 2,000, 5,000, and so on. Please take a look at my sources and try incorperating walking into your daily habits!

Walking for Exercise-Harvard School of Public Health

Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective

A prescription for “nature” – the potential of using virtual nature in therapeutics

number 2. ballet based movement

Ballet is an elegant form of dance that may interest you if you are looking for a kawaii addition to your exercise routine. Trational ballet is extremely intense and does require specific equipment. Which is why I suggest "ballet based movemnt" which is rather exercise inspired by the dance movements and to the music of routines. I highly reccommend this YouTube channel. They have a ton of videos to follow along with. Because their target audience is for women aged 50+, they are very beginner friendly, and easy on the body. They also have seated routines. I suggest following along for the full video like you would if you had signed up for the class. This can really make you feel committed and satified with your dedication.

number 3. qi gong

Qigong is a form of matial arts that focuses on specific body movements and breathing techniques. It is less of an exercise and more of a movement based meditation. Qigong can also be a very spirital practice as it is intended to move energy though the body. There are Qigong movements for specific symptons such as joint pain, colds and flu, stress and anxiety. I really reccomend it because it is a very relaxing form of movement and is a great introduction to movement and meditation. The "seasonal" Qigong routines are some of my favorites as well for connecting to nature.

number 4. sleek technique

If you are looking for something more intense, I enjoy Sleek Technique. They also do ballet and dance based fitness, but at a more advanced level. You will definately feel like you had a "workout" and I often feel sore after following along with a few of their videos. But I enjoy them, since they are fun and focus on achieving a lean and toned figure. So you do not have to worry that you may be gaining "bulk". They have a paid service, but also many free Youtube videos as well. The work outs are very intense, but the guides are mindful. So do not be afraid to go at your own pace!