I’m always stunned when activities that I originally considered to be humdrum or blah turn out to be vital ways to boost your health.  Again, I’m one of those people who always believed that if something was good for my body, it either tasted terrible or required tons of energy like running or weight training. Imagine my surprise when I figured out things like yoga and meditation can do wonders for your body and mind. 

I stumbled on yet another one of those things over the weekend: gardening.

I know, it sounds more like a simple hobby and less a boost to your physical wellbeing, but gardening can actually be great for you. Consider that when you’re working on the plants or veggies, you’re outside in the fresh air and, perhaps, more importantly, in the sun. While doctors agree too much sun (and sunburning) can increase the likelihood of skin cancer, some sun is downright necessary. Consider that the sun is an excellent source of vitamin D. A deficiency of Vitamin D is one of the root causes of Seasonal Affective Disorder, the winter depression that impacts thousands every year. SAD leads to low energy, fatigue, lack of appetite and depression symptoms. When you boost your vitamin D, your energy goes up and you feel revived and refreshed (test it this week -- leave the office and go for a walk outside on your lunch break and see if you don’t get a boost).

If you’d like to start your own garden (or jumpstart your current patch of veggies) in order to get out, get some fresh air and, most important, your daily dose of vitamin D, make sure you get your tickets now for the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon Garden Fair in September at the Expo Center. Believe me, once you get those tulips and daisies in the ground, your body will thank you for it later.

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It seems as though hybrids are all the rage these days. On the road, hybrid cars like the Prius, which run on a combination of gasoline powered engine and electric battery, are in top demand (I know, I went shopping for one this weekend). Restaurants are offering hybrid combos of food, blending your entrée, appetizer and side dishes into one bowl (check out KFC if you don't believe me). Even clothing is going hybrid (“It's a shirt that you can wear out with the boys or to work or while mowing the lawn." “Shoes so comfortable you can wear them to the gym but stylish enough for the office.”)

Heck, even workouts are hybridizing these days.

While we all know it's important to mix stretching, resistance training and cardiovascular/aerobic work into our daily routine, some people would rather not separate the three. Turn on the TV late at night and you'll see plenty of workout systems that promise to tone, shape, cut fat and stretch you in a matter of minutes a day.

While those may very well be gimmicks, there is one place moving into The Pearl District that offers a true hybrid workout. Barre3 (pronounced bar three) blends yoga, pilates and ballet into one deliciously torturous routine. All three exercises can tone your muscles, increase your flexibility and cut fat when done properly. Mixing them up only serves to make things more fun and a bit less, for lack of a better word, routine. Classes are filling up fast so check out www.barre3.com for registration and schedule info.

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If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know that I’m a big proponent of making fitness fun. For years, I always thought that exercise had to be dull and tedious; if it wasn’t boring, it wasn’t working out. While I still find myself climbing countless floors of steps on the Stairmaster and counting off endless reps at the weight stack, any time I can get out of the gym and do something that’s pure entertainment, I’m on board.

Back in Junior High gym class, two weeks of the year were devoted to dancing, of all things (ballroom and swing mostly). At the time, I liked those two weeks because it meant no huffing and puffing trying to keep up as the class ran laps, although I didn’t really get how dancing could be a good way to drop pounds and increase fitness (of course, I wasn’t going to ask questions). 

As it turns out, couples’ dancing is a phenomenal workout.

To start, the fast paced tempo of swing is great for boosting your heart rate (and guys, lifting your partner is great for the upper body and core). The slower songs require great core control and posture.

Of course, there are two obstacles to starting with this swinging fun time (pardon the pun). First, you need to learn the steps, and then you need a place with enough space and the right tunes to show your stuff. 

You can find both those things online at StumptownDance.com. At Stumptown, they list lots of local venues offering a variety of classes and open dance times. It's great for both singles and couples.

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One of the great things about Portland is the amazing walking weather when summer time rolls around. Just this evening the lady and I were strolling around our neighborhood, marveling at how pleasant and peaceful it is. This time of year, I try to add a walk into my daily routine as an added boost to my exercise regimen. You get the fresh air and some Vitamin D on top of a bump to your heart rate.

However, if you’re anything like me, you also run into the problem of boredom. Face it, as great as walking or running is, taking the same route can lack some spice. That’s why I was so jazzed to find out about Portland Walking Tours.

This local business promises just what its name implies: tours of the city, on foot, focusing on several themes. If food is your passion, you can tour some of the finest eats in Portland. If you’re more interested in the seamy underside of the Rose City, take the Sub-Cultural Tour that includes the notorious Shanghai Tunnels.

Beyond the really fun experience you can share with a bunch of buddies on your initial tour, you can map out some new, exciting routes for your own midday walk or run. If you don’t like the tours already set, try a team scavenger hunt searching for famous sites or artistic highlights. It’s a fun way to add a boost to your everyday exercise routine.

For the outstanding quality and personalized attention, Portland Walking Tours are very reasonable on the wallet. For more info, or to book your own route, hit up their website.

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I had a startling revelation a few weeks ago: I can’t just sit still and be quiet. Seriously, I was sitting downstairs on the couch and a buddy was on his way over to pick me up before we headed to PGE Park for a Beavers game. He called and said he was almost at the house, so I snapped off the TV, put on my shoes and waited. Turns out by “almost at the house” he meant another ten minutes away. As I sat there and the minutes ticked by, I began to shift anxiously. My eyes darted around the room looking for something to do. I’d already read the paper, my laptop was shut off and takes forever to boot up, I’d just turned the TV off. I desperately got out my iPhone and began surfing craigslist even though I had nothing specifically to shop for. I was completely uncomfortable if I didn’t have something to do even as mundane as reading the paper.
   
That’s the day I began looking into meditation classes. The fiancée has some experience and told me that learning how to clear your mind can be a very soothing and empowering experience. 

At first, I ran into all the same potholes everyone hits when they start meditation. I thought about what else I needed to do that day, I ran over the grocery list in my head, I contemplated an upcoming vacation — I basically did everything except meditate.

However, as time has passed, it is getting easier to clear my mind for brief periods of time. Even with only a few weeks under my belt, I can already notice differences. I feel more relaxed during day-to-day activities and I sense that my entire body rhythm has slowed down a tiny bit. More importantly, by shutting off the outside world even for a few minutes, I emerge refreshed and energized (it’s amazing how much background noise can drain you).
 
There are lots of places to help you get started on your path to a free mind. Check out the Portland Insight Community in Southeast or Ananda Meditation on the Westside.

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