Before beginning any type of workout, you should always plan for a good warm-up to help prepare your body for physical activity. It may not seem like an essential part of your workout routine, but warming up can actually help prevent illness and even injury once things get really physical. Here are some great ways to warm up — and reasons why it’s so important.

• It minimizes heart stress. Your heart is forced to pump blood much more quickly while exercising, and it can be stressful if you suddenly start exercising very intensely. Warm-ups help to build your heart rate slowly and gently.
• It protects your muscles. Warming up supplies extra oxygen to the muscles by dilating your blood vessels, which makes you limber and ready for exercise.
• Match your warm-up to your exercise. A shorter workout only requires a warm-up of about a few minutes, but if you plan on exercising for an hour or longer, be sure to plan for a longer, more thorough warm-up.
• Do the same activity at a slower pace. Whether you’re jogging, biking, or doing an aerobics routine, a good way to warm up is by performing that same activity at a slower, more moderate pace.

Warm Up, Cool Down [American Heart Association]
9 Fun And Effective Ways To Warm Up [BodyBuilding.com]
How to Warm Up Before Exercising [NHS]
The Best Stretches to Start Your Workout [Women’s Health]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Phil Roeder

Enjoy a glass of wine at Copa Wine Bar, a local venue in the Stone Oak area of San Antonio that grew out of the owner’s former business, Wines Etc. This San Antonio wine bar offers an expansive list of wine varietals from around the world, plus some flavorful tapas to go along with them.

Whether your taste in wine runs to Prosecco from Spain, Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington state, or Pinot Noir from California, you’re sure to find something delightful at Copa. Pair your glass or bottle with a tasty small plate like Fire Roasted Chevre with crostini, Hummus San Antonio with warm toasted pita, or Albondigas – meatballs simmered in wine demi-glace. A meat or cheese plate is always a good choice for sharing at the table. Panini, Pommes Frites – crispy, Belgian-style fries, and Pizzettes – small, hand-tossed pizzas, are also on the menu.

Copa Wine Bar
19141 Stone Oak Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78258
(210) 495-2672
www.thecopawinebar.com
www.yelp.com/biz/copa-wine-bar-san-antonio

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/Quinn Dombrowski

Did you know that the practice of yoga originated in ancient India as a way of attaining peace of mind and optimum health benefits? Yoga Shala continues in that tradition by offering a variety of yoga classes for beginning and advanced students, right here in San Antonio!

Step into Yoga Shala's serene, comfortable studio to calm, stretch, strengthen, tone, and energize with a class taught by a trained, helpful teacher who’s compassionate about guiding you through the poses. You don’t have to be able to turn yourself into a pretzel to find a class suited to your level of ability. Classes are taught in Ashtanga, Vinyasa, and Hatha styles of yoga, and the studio intends to create a welcoming atmosphere for everyone.

Yoga Shala of San Antonio is open 7:30 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. daily. See the Yoga Shala website for class schedules and pricing information.

Yoga Shala
18585 Sigma Road
San Antonio, TX 78258
(210) 496-9900
www.yogashalasa.com
www.yelp.com/biz/yoga-shala-san-antonio

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/bradleypjohnson