· Enhanced circulation · Enhanced energy, strength and vitality · Enhanced flexibility and coordination · Good posture · Increased ability to breathe deeper, infusing more prana into system · A feeling of lightness in body · Toned muscles and body · Increased efficiency of digestive system and a balanced appetite and metabolism · Increased efficiency in eliminating toxins from body

The ayurvedic approach to exercise also aims at following benefits for mind, heart and spirit:

· Enhanced mental alertness and agility · Enhanced mental strength · Enhanced focus and ability to concentrate · Sense of emotional equilibrium · Enhanced self-esteem and respect for one's body · Self-awareness · Enhanced ability to manage stress · Freedom of spirit

General Ayurvedic Exercise Guidelines

Exercise done to point of discomfort tends to be counterproductive. When you work out to point where you are sore, exhausted and straining to breathe normally, your body is generating free radicals, which have been implicated in disease and premature aging. Excessive free radical build-up in body tends to lower natural immunity. Also, when you work your body so hard that you have to take a day off to rest it after every three days of exercise, you are increasing wear and tear. Over-exercising can interfere with your metabolism as well, slowing it down.

To get benefits from exercise without side effects, exercise only as long as you can breathe normally through nose. When you begin to feel yourself pushing beyond your zone of comfort, slow down and walk until you can resume again without straining. Over time, as your body acclimatizes itself to your new way of working out, you will be able to exercise longer in comfort. Pay heed to your body and it will guide you towards your optimum exercise type and level.

The ayurvedic texts describe concept of balaardh-using half your strength or capacity-when you exercise. For example, if you can run a 4-minute mile, you would do it in 8 minutes using concept of balaardh. As you maintain exercise program, your capacity will increase, so that 50% 3 months down line will be greater than 50% you do today.

When done this way, you will be able to enjoy exercise and you will stay with it longer, and you won't have burnout or injuries that often come with working out till you drop. When exercise is done within your comfort zone, it is also nourishing to your heart and emotions and enhances your sense of overall well-being.

Exercise early in morning. When you work out in morning, exercise helps elevate energy levels for day and promotes more restful sleep at night. If you exercise in evening, you may have trouble settling down to sleep.

Author of The Athletic-Minded Traveler: Where to Work Out and Stay When Fitness Is a Priority, Jim visited America's top 78 travel destinations to find very best hotel/fitness-venue combinations.

Welcome Jim to Sketchandtravel.com and Bookpleasures.com.

Norm:

Could you tell us something about yourself Jim and what provoked you into writing about very best hotel and fitness venue combinations?

Jim:

Through years, I traveled quite a bit for work and pleasure. In addition to finding places to stay that matched my budget and amenity preferences, I always tried to identify hotels that offered good fitness options. However, time and time again, I would show up at hotel and discover that state of art fitness center was a closet-sized room with old or broken equipment. Or, lap pool was a short oval without lane lines. Or, running routes consisted of a map provided by concierge that directed guests to jog around streets of hotel 10 times. It boggled my mind how these hotels could make such blatant misrepresentations. So, I decided to write first cross-country guide that objectively recommends BEST places to stay for those who enjoy healthy living and staying fit.

Norm:

Do you believe that if couples are looking for an ideal romantic getaway they should also take into account fitness facilities, and if so, why?

Jim:

I believe everyone should take into consideration quality of fitness facilities including couples on a romantic getaway. Exercise not only helps boost your immunity system, lower stress, and improve your sleeping habits; it also helps your sex life. Studies have shown that healthy people have better sex and tend to be happier. And, I believe it is important to emphasize that when I say exercise,I am not talking about an hour of hard-core running or lifting weights at gym- 20 minutes of brisk walking can do trick.

Norm:

If you had to name 5 ideal romantic getaway hospitality properties that combine a unique romantic ambience with great fitness facilities, which ones would you choose and why?

Jim:

· San Francisco is one of my favorite romantic cities---the bridge, fog, rain, restaurants, and cultural offerings create a perfect stage for a wonderfully romantic trip. Any of SFO hotels in my book would be great fitness/romance combinations, but Hotel Rex is best deal for money. A small, intimate hotel property just steps from Union Square and China Town, Rex also provides guests with a discounted pass to a fantastic (but small) health club down street, Club One.

· If money is no object, The Miraval Spa and Resort in Tucson is a marvelous getaway for couples looking to stay fit and be pampered. All meals are included as well as any type of exercise option you can imagine---horseback riding, lap swimming, rock climbing, etc.

· For those looking to add a little more party to their trip, Miami's South Beach hotels are filled with romance. The Shore Club, Delano, Ritz and National are all in book, bestowing lots of love and liveliness to their guests.

· Colorado Springs' Broadmoor Hotel is a breathtaking resort beset by serene lakes and mountain landscape. Broadmoor's Fitness Center and Spa is well-equipped with modern machines and a regulation lap pool. And, nearby trails create fantastic jogging and mountain biking opportunities.