~ Namaste ~

Truth in sourcing — this comes from February 2010 Allure magazine, page 90.  (Yeah, sue me.  I don’t always read the Bhagavad Gita when on the T.  Though it has happened on occasion. :)

But the magazine does cite a study that supports what I’ve often felt, and it is always nice to be scientifically proved right.

“Exercising in class or with friends produces more pleasure than working out alone.  In a study at the University of Oxford in England, 12 rowers had higher increases in endorphins (as indicated by their ability to tolerate pain) when they trained in groups of  six than when they trained by themselves, despite equivalent workouts and effort.  Endorphins are believed to play a role in social bonding, notes Robin Dunbar, professor of evolutionary anthropology at the university.  These natural painkillers can help you exercise longer and harder and boost your immunity…”

Okay, not endorsing the whole “exercise” and “pain” association with yoga, BUT!  Frequently class is a huge upper, and doing asanas with others produces more pleasure & we’re also able to access more/different experiences than when alone.  It’s just plain interesting to apply the endorphin/social bonding aspect to group practice — pleasure in practice & community enhancing chemicals, all for free in the body!!

Practice yesterday was teaching a super fun inversion class (more on that later this week; I’ll post the sequence) and taking Vanessa’s Hip Hop, all at Back Bay.  Today there’s volunteering, sweaty class & maybe more Back Bay!  Go endorphins!!

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