on December 13, 2021
Preventive measures for better mental health
In our article “Preventive measures” we explained how important a positioning in the area of prevention is for you as a fitness provider.
If you include yoga and meditation in your offer, you offer your members a great opportunity to strengthen their mental health in order to get through difficult situations better.
Tabea Krooß gives you an insight into how important yoga/meditation is and how you can integrate it into your offer. Tabea is a trainer and regularly gives yoga classes. As a former studio manager, she knows how important the quiet moments are for members.
Interview with Tabea Krooß
Hello Tabea!
How important is yoga and meditation for mental health?
“Very important! And it doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with spirituality. Spiritual and physical health are closely connected. That’s why both should be trained. Everyone knows: When we have a lot of stress, we usually show physical symptoms like stomach problems or sleeping disorders. Yoga and meditation can help to alleviate both stress and the associated physical complaints. So yoga is more than just rolling out the mat.”
How can this form of fitness help members in difficult situations (preventively) – such as Corona?
“We live in a society where everything goes faster, further, higher and we cannot afford to be weak. So it’s no wonder that so many people are afraid of collapsing at some point due to stress. Yoga and meditation can help to improve the perception of stress. This is because the stress hormone cortisol can be demonstrably and noticeably lowered.
Depression has also increased sharply especially now in times of Corona. These can be related, for example, to the endless thoughts that overwhelm many every day. Positive thinking and mindfulness can be trained with yoga and meditation. The aim is not to push thoughts or situations away, but to become more aware of the here and now. The positive result: you think less, reduce stress and enjoy the day much more.”
Why should fitness providers offer such classes?
“Globally, it is estimated that 5% of adults suffer from depression, according to the WHO. The probability is high that a member in the gym is also affected by it or is at risk of getting depressed. Therefore, fitness providers should definitely include an offer that helps their members preventively prepare for stressful situations or help them manoeuvre through an already existing difficult situation.
COVID is the best example. We act in autopilot mode, barely have time to catch our breath and have to accept severe cuts in our personal freedom and everyday life. Many are also struggling with fear about the future.
If these members have a point of contact at the yoga studio or other fitness providers, they can strengthen and maintain their physical and mental balance through yoga and meditation. This makes it easier for them to cope with such challenges”
What should fitness professionals look out for when offering yoga and meditation classes?
“It is important that the yoga and meditation programme is offered by a trainer who has completed training in this field. The connection between body and mind, the understanding of the whole body and the influence of yoga and meditation are complex and should be understood holistically by the trainer. Only if that’s given, the members can really profit from the class.”
Any questions?
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