For long, ‘fitness’ has suffered the blows from its narrow definitions being limited mostly to its enthusiasts. In reality, however, fitness is a form of being - a healthy mental and physical state that you work towards every day of your life. It is not a fad or a trend, but a necessity as vital as eating and sleeping - essential for everyone. Understandably so. The pandemic has had an adverse impact on fitness goals and efforts, with gyms and sporting associations having to shut down. But if we have learned anything from this pandemic, it is to persevere and trudge on. So, why should your fitness routine take a hit?
We have the perfect way for you to tap into your infinite energy reservoirs.
A fitness challenge to get you moving
The Art of Living brings to you a 16 Days Fitness Challenge that you can join from the comfort of your home and follow at a pace in tandem with your busy schedule. As they say, good health does not wait, so why should you?
Whether you are a fitness regular or a complete beginner motivated to achieve good health, this challenge is bound to set you on the path with a balanced combination of mental and physical health regimes so that you are peaceful inside and dynamic outside. The challenge will not be predicated on difficulty of movements, but rather your ability to be consistent for 16 days. The physical exercises will be complemented by a series of meditations by none other than Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar himself and as a bonus, a series of extremely vital health tips. Start your 16 Days Fitness challenge today!
What to expect from the 16 Days Fitness Challenge
Here is a little glimpse of what awaits you in the coming 16 days:
Day 1 - Movement Magic
Begin this challenge by exploring the movements of your body from dynamism to stillness. The goal of the day is to make you enjoy the movements of your body through easy-to-follow positions and exercises that will improve your flexibility as you get started on this challenge. At the same time, focus on your breath as you get the blood pumping in your body. Finally, cool off with pranayamas (breathing exercises) before beginning meditation.
Day 2 - Balance is Bliss
Balance is necessary in every sphere of life, and your body is an essential part of the equation. This day will bring attention to how the body balances itself, or in the case of an imbalance, exhibits underlying symptoms. The balance is not just external, but also internal, as you will explore through the unique tips shared to modify your dietary habits.
Day 3 - Flexibility Flows
Today, do exercises to improve your flexibility, bringing strength and stability to your body. Experience how simple stretches can not only awaken your whole system but also improve your posture. Enjoy the flow and be ready for a barrel of laughs as you do so! Do not miss the invaluable health tips by Gurudev.
Day 4 - Enhanced Endurance
Bring the focus on endurance. Endurance works in two ways - cardiovascular and muscular, increasing your body’s capacity to sustain exercise for a longer period of time, making you more resilient. More importantly, learn to breathe through the pain!
Day 5 - Functional Moves
Stay on track by getting to move your body during the everyday stuff! Discover how daily mundane moves can actually be beneficial to your body by incorporating a few functional steps. Stretch yourself out, be like a child, and dance it out as you go about your day.
Day 6 - Yogic Fitness
Discover the world of yoga through yogic fitness techniques, building a mind-muscle connection as you follow the positions. Learn asanas (yogic postures) that can deliver better sleep and meditation along with improved digestion. Use the rhythm of your breath to dance to the routine!
Day 7 - Strong Arms
As you advance through the challenge, focus on individual body parts. Our daily bodily functions depend heavily on our arms, which is why the day focuses on exercising the arms, as you squeeze and contract them to build muscles.
Day 8 - Compelling Core
Our body’s core is a central aspect of our everyday life, enabling a range of physical functions. Day 8 is about exercises for the core muscles using the right techniques to achieve greater stability and balance. Want a healthy glow with a tight core? Do not miss the yogic breath exercise!
Day 9 - Buff Back & Tough Legs
Pull up your socks, for the day is about exercises for the legs and back. If your legs are strong, you have a solid foundation and you feel grounded while walking. Plus, muscles in the calves act as a second heart for pumping blood back to your heart. Do not be afraid of the pain in the body, take it as an indicator that the endorphins are pumping in. Remember today’s pain is tomorrow’s power!
Day 10 - Sturdy Spine
By Day 10, your body will begin to adapt to the challenge well, and it is the right time to strengthen the spine that controls a vast majority of the body’s movements. Improve not only your flexibility but also your body’s shape and structure. And do not forget the added boost that comes with a better posture. Push through these exercises to activate this powerhouse of energy and soothe the bunch of nerves in the spinal cord with a calming meditation by Gurudev.
Day 11 - Supple Joints
Our whole life is run with connections, and this is true of our body as well. Today’s exercises strengthen the connective tissue in our elbows, knees, and wrists, making them more supple and strong. Follow it up with a relaxing meditation by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
Day 12 - Neck Knacks
Our neck holds our head and brain and any pain in the neck makes the whole body unable to work. These exercises for the neck will help you release tension, tightness, and stiffness by reducing pain and increasing flexibility. In addition, these exercises will also help prevent cervical issues. So, let’s remove the chinks in that armor by doing neck exercises, followed by a soothing meditation by Gurudev.
Day 13 - Solid Shoulders
Congratulations! You have almost made it. In the final leg of the challenge, let us focus on strengthening the shoulders. Shoulders not only help us lift things but are also necessary for ample upper body movement. Let’s solidify and soothe those stressed shoulder muscles with the day’s workout and meditation led by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
Day 14 - Pelvic Play
As we inch closer to the end of this challenge, discover the necessity of working out your pelvic muscles. To maintain good endocrine and reproductive health for both men and women through progressing age, exercises for pelvic muscles are indispensable. Often forgotten, pelvic muscles give strength to internal lower body functions, while also strengthening the lower back.
Day 15 - All-in-One Part 1
With just one more day to go, give yourself a pat on the back for coming so far. After a fortnight of focusing on different parts of your body, it is now time to learn how to do a full-body workout followed by a comprehensive relaxation meditation by Gurudev.
Day 16 - All-in-One Part 2
At last, you have arrived! This is the final leg of the challenge. Notice the changes that these past days have brought about in you mentally and physically. Feel the lightness of your being, and be proud of the commitment you have shown in taking up this challenge towards a fitter you! Let us finish the last day with total fitness exercises that work out all the major body groups simultaneously and conclude on a soothing note with a meditation by Gurudev.
Completed the fitness challenge? That’s excellent! But even if you did miss a day or two, you should be proud of this start. It is now the time to make a commitment to embrace fitness as a part of your life, and assign time to your mental and physical health daily. To help you continue, we have a range of programs offered by the Sri Sri School of Yoga that combines ancient yogic wisdom and techniques to offer you a holistic fitness process. Head over now to find out more!
(Based on The Art of Living’s 16 Days Fitness Challenge videos)
