too little of another.” She varies her own
with three cardio sessions and a slower-
paced class each week which leaves her
feeling “strong and centred”.
“Yin yoga is the ultimate ‘self-care’ and
something that I need to include in my
weekly routine,” Barlow explains. “The
poses are held for a longer period of time
compared to other types of yoga, up to
five minutes. By relaxing the muscles and
working the connective tissue in longer
passive holds, yin offers a deep sense
of flexibility in the body that just feels
incredible. It also totally stills the mind.”
Whether you practise once a week or
are a regular practitioner, yoga is intertwined
with well-being; improving flexibility while
quietening our ever-buzzing minds. For
some though, it goes deeper.
At Shreyas yoga retreat in India, theirJuly/August 2017 AsiaSpa 79many, these endorphins are not just a route
to a sunnier outlook in the short term, but
also to reduced stress and better sleep.
As for which workouts to choose,
personal trainer Barlow credits cardio-heavy
workouts such as spinning and HIIT as her
everyday go-to, and a boxing session after
a particularly tough day. “The concentration
necessary to master the combinations and
technique help to take my mind off anything
else,” she explains.
Interestingly, the rise of online workouts
means most types of exercise can be done
at home or alone in a gym, yet many
opt to attend group workouts. “I love
the atmosphere in classes,” says Barlow.
“For me, it makes cardio so much more
enjoyable.”
And it’s proven too. Working out
together is now well-established as a
social activity and considered a form of
social bonding. Fitness classes have never
been more popular, or trendy, as they are
now. Recent years have seen metropolitan
cities experience an influx of group classes
ranging from barre to weight-lifting, filtering
out to the suburbs too. Why? The social
element increases our enjoyment of a
workout, and the sheer breadth of options
means there’s more to keep us interested.
Variety is key, and nowhere is that truer than
in the workout regimes on offer.BRINGING IN BALANCE
For Barlow, mixing up exercise type is
important. To maximise results and the sense
of gratification, she encourages everyone
to “be aware of their weekly routine, and
ensure they don't have too much of one or