The United States has one of the worst work-life balance in the world. Not surprising when you know that Americans clock in well over 40 hours a week on average. Not only do we have less time off, sick leave days and parental leave than most countries in the Americas, but we’re more stressed, have less time to take care of our families and homes, struggle to make self care a priority and eat mostly highly processed foods that leave us feeling full, yet depleted.
Does it have to be this way?
Probably not.
If other countries have it figured out, we can do it too. Albeit at an individual scale.
We’re doing it at a local scale, with our MBM family and Monterey Bay community.
Give it Up for Fitness!
When we started MBM our goal was to bring fitness to our clients. Make them move, exercise and sweat to help them experience the joy and elation of feeling “at home” in our bodies.
The only thing is, we realized early on that making our clients work hard wasn’t the end all be all.
- They came to the workout feeling tired and stressed from their work days.
- They enjoyed the exercise and camaraderie of the class.
- But as soon as class was over, they all went back home to their normal lives.
Now while everyone experienced great benefits after a few weeks of our first bootcamp, we noticed most were “guests in their own house”, they didn’t live in their own bodies.
That’s when we started adding something new to the beginning and end of each class.
Mindful Movement for Increased Health
We started with a quick 3 minute standing body scan and ended class with a 2 min mindfulness exercise. Slowly but surely, this moment we took to arrive and land together in the park before each class gave everyone a chance to reconnect with their bodies before asking their muscles to work hard for them. The short meditation lowered participants’ cortisol, thus lowering their stress.
By growing the relationship you have with their bodies, you naturally start making more time for yourself. You start reconnecting with the side of you that understands you have hidden reservoirs of energy, compassion and greatness when you take better care of yourself.
That’s why adding regular yoga classes to our schedule and coaching offer is a must. It was obvious early on that we needed to foster this relationship with the Self and give you the chance to connect with yourself.
This in turn has shown to help with:
- reduced cravings
- improved moods
- better focus at work
- sustainable energy levels
- a strong desire to carve out time for your own health.
Balanced Programs
With a focus on long-term habit change and mindful movement, our classes and coaching programs highlight the importance of balancing work and rest.
Don’t get me wrong, our workouts are meant to leave you feeling toast and awesome.
We’re all about intense and mindful periods of work, but we emphasize the importance of interspacing those with period of deep recovery and play time.
I love that you love to work your butt off in the early afternoon and then go home for an hour of soothing, rooting and energizing yoga online with our great instructors.
It reminds you that you are not your workout. The fact that you take it easy one day and go all out the other doesn’t define you.
You’re not a slacker because you feel stressed and anxious and get to your workout late.
You’re dedicated. You made it.
You’re staying true to your bodily sensations and going for the level of work you can sustain.
You’re working on your balance.
Train & Recover
In this life, we too often forget to give ourselves the space and time to arrive, breathe and relax before starting up again. You, our clients and members, are just amazing.
We have the most brilliant minds, souls and professionals out there.
You guys:
- Lift weights and meditate
- Train for marathons and go to the beach to hang out
- Hike dozens of miles for days and enjoy a cozy night in with cocoa
- Enjoy knitting and Kettlebell workouts
- Go hard during your HIIT workout and stay in child’s pose for an hour during your yoga class
- Act totally crazy, dance and have fun while kicking butts in your STRONG class
- Are hardcore waterpolo players and practice yoga
- Cheer your friends for their efforts as you push yourself beyond your limits
Again, at MBM we’re all learning how to work towards that balanced life.
The most successful people in our world understand that what we do each day matters.
It matters that every day includes periods of razor sharp focus, intense work and concentration AND deep recovery.
Without rest, without high quality sleep, we can only sustain periods of high efficiency for a short period of time before we collapse.
Consistency is key.
Exercising your body and your mind are both important in your quest for a more joy-filled life.
And regularity is necessary if you want to live a brilliant life.
How much of your life is work, tasks, chores, projects and how much of your life is play, space, breathing and luminosity?
This shirt is one of our favorites because it reminds us that striving for a #balancedlife is the hardest thing to do, yet the most sustainable and enjoyable life there is.
Exercise more, you’ll sleep better.
Rest more, you’ll be braver.
Be bold and know when to set boundaries.
Respect yourself more, you’ll uncover new strength of character.
Your unusual dedication and work ethic combined with a noble expansive heart can only leave the world better than you found it.
Are you all about work and no play?
Our coaching and our group classes reflect this mindset: with a variety to choose from and create your own Balanced Life: Yoga Flow, Metafit, Power Yoga, STRONG, Yoga Sculpt, Beach Yoga, Dumbbell Bootcamp + more online and at the park in Marina!