Nicole Brar

Fitness Instructor & Nutritionist

4 Types of Holistic Wellness To Try Out

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types of holistic wellness

When most people start their fitness journey, they focus purely on the physical. This means eating a good diet and getting plenty of exercise. Yes, those things are essential, but overall wellness is about much more than that. 

As a fitness instructor, yoga instructor, and nutritionist, fitness is all about the mind and body. If you want to start your wellness journey, here are some types of holistic wellness to try out:

Yoga and Meditation

Yoga is an ancient practice that combines physical poses, breathing exercises, and meditation to align your mind, body, and spirit. It can either be an intense workout or it can help you relax and stretch. 

Yoga and meditation can improve your flexibility, strength, posture, and balance. It can also help to reduce stress and improve concentration. 

Tai Chi

Tai Chi is a form of martial arts that originated from China. It involves slow, deliberate movements and deep breathing. Tai Chi can help improve balance, flexibility, and strength, as well as reduce stress and anxiety due to how meditative it is. 

Tai Chi is a great low-impact exercise that complements more high-intensity workouts. 

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils from plants to improve both physical and emotional wellness. You can use oils in many ways, such as inhaling the scent with a diffuser or adding them to lotions for massage. 

Some say that essential oils can treat a number of physical and psychological ailments. They can act as a great compliment to other treatments, and can certainly help you relax (especially during a yoga and meditation session).

Note: never apply essential oils directly to your skin or ingest them. 

Breathwork

Breathwork involves various mindful breathing techniques designed to improve mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. It can reduce stress, support your cardiovascular system, and even help you regulate emotions. 

Correct breathing techniques are critical for more effective fitness routines. 

5 Beginner Yoga Tips

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5 beginner yoga tips nicole brar

Starting a yoga practice is an amazing way to exercise your body, improve your overall fitness, and have some quality ‘you’ time. When you first begin yoga, it can be really intimidating, especially when you see other people getting into crazy poses. Fear not, because everyone starts their yoga journey somewhere.

As a fitness instructor and nutritionist, Nicole Brar is on a mission to help people achieve their health and fitness goals. She provides instruction in all branches of yoga, including hatha, bhakti, jana and hot yoga. Today she shares 5 yoga tips for beginners. 

  1. Find a good yoga instructor. Yes, it is true that there are a lot of great online tutorials, but going to an in-person class is really valuable because an instructor can correct your posture if you’re not quite in the right position (which is common for beginners).
  2. You don’t necessarily need to take a “beginner” specific class. Pretty much any position in yoga can be modified to suit whatever level you are at, including if you have certain physical limitations. If you’re worried, just talk to your instructor about it.
  3. Let go of your expectations, and start exactly where you are. It is perfectly fine if you can’t touch your toes or do the super intense version of the poses. What really matters with yoga is being able to connect with your body.
  4. Make sure you have the right equipment. All you really need to practice yoga is a non-slip mat, comfortable clothes, and maybe some straps, blankets, and blocks. Depending on where you take your yoga class, these things may be provided for you. 
  5. Take it slow and don’t try to rush. Yoga is as much about meditation and mindfulness as it is about exercise.