One of my neighbors has been inviting me to join her at the yoga studio around the corner for a couple of years now. Last Friday I surrendered and was truly surprised by how well the class relaxed and framed my mindset for the weekend. I’m not anti-yoga or anything; in fact, when I go, I usually love it. However, it’s not always the first fitness activity I think of as a “go to.” Lifting load and functional movement are more my style and, after many years, they stay “sticky” for my compliance.
But we all need to try new things.
This was a restorative theme led by a yogi named Mindy who bathed us in care and calming energy. Our equipment list for the 1-hour session was long-ish, but it all served a specific purpose in our self-care. We needed five yoga blankets, a bolster, three yoga blocks and a mat. Had I known, I would have brought my sleep mask! I did not break a sweat and I don’t think my pulse went above 58 for the entire class—and that was the whole point. We simply let her walk us through breathing cues and a guided meditation while we found our most relaxing pose and moved gently, if at all. It was heavenly to have permission for this “Restorative Nap Time for Adults,” as another participant dubbed it as we walked home.
Clients need to be coaxed to try new things. Perhaps they need a nudge to step it up—or, like me—to step it down. We’re coming up on the March doldrums when the shiny excitement of the new year has begun to tarnish and the resolve that had clients springing out of bed in January has pretty much sprung itself out.
This is where your ingenuity and experience come in. And if you’re feeling tapped out of ideas, IDEA has your back with a few suggestions:
- Incorporate mindfulness and stress reduction. Offer a restorative class. Wink + nod. It did the trick for me!
- Vary the workouts. Keep training fresh and interesting by introducing new exercises, routines and equipment. This can help clients avoid boredom and plateaus, and challenge them to push themselves to new levels.
- Provide accountability and support. Check in regularly with your peeps and give ongoing support and encouragement. This can help them stay on track and feel motivated to continue.
- Offer group classes. These can provide a fun and social environment that bonds participants. Encourage clients to bring friends or family members to help keep them engaged and accountable in a friendly, supportive setting.
- Celebrate progress. Acknowledge and cheer the wins, no matter how small. Drop a text with a specific comment about something your client did this morning to let them know you care.
The article links above from the IDEA library should give you plenty of other evidence-backed strategies. What are your ideas in this realm? Please share so I can keep learning!
And think of me the next time you’re teaching or taking a Restorative Nap Time for Adults session. Don’t forget to bring your sleep mask!
See also: Restorative Yoga Teacher Training
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