Yoga For Journalists Pt. 1
Many reporters have long, grueling days on their feet and need all the strength and stamina they can muster to see a story to the end. Whether it’s pounding the pavement to follow leads or jetsetting from city to city on the campaign trail or anything in between, a reporter needs to be as fit as a soldier (or a war photographer). I find that the job itself keeps me in pretty good shape – some days I’m lugging as much gear as a wildland firefighter and on my feet for 10-12 hours straight! But the older I get, the harder it gets to rebound from these assignments and jump out of bed the next day. Until I discovered yoga. I practice yoga at home and in the office almost every day. In the morning, it supplies me with as much energy as 2 cups of coffee. At night, it stretches my legs, hips and shoulders after sitting in an office chair all day. Sometimes, it gives me the second wind I need to get through an all day, all night music festival. It also relieves the tension in my neck after holding my camera up to my eye through the entire event.
Find What Works For You
Yoga may not be the best exercise plan for you. But I highly recommend trying different types and finding the one that suits you. Because journalists need to stay in shape in order to be the best in their field. Plus, we’re spending more and more time in front of computers and behind cameras and video cameras as we put more and more content on the web. So be smart, stay fit and remain active until a ripe old age. (Of course, if you’re the best in your field, you can always hire assistants to carry your gear when you get older… But you still have to be able to get to the scene in style no matter what.)
For the ladies: bonus effects of yoga and pilates = longer, leaner legs and what I’ve heard referred to as “yoga ass”!
Here’s my favorite Morning Yoga video for waking up in the morning:
This vid is from the Yoga Journal which is a fabulous magazine with a fabulous website. You can find loads more yoga videos on their site:
For more yoga and pilates resources, check out the next installment in our Journalist Boot Camp:
You’ll find yoga routines for the office, hotel room, morning, night and more…