Several years ago, the back-to-back deaths of Elena Keegan’s father and brother due to cardiac arrest inspired her to dedicate her life to wellness. As it turned out, that meant both personally and professionally. Once a Spanish teacher, Keegan adopted the practice of yoga, becoming an instructor and founding Baton Rouge Yoga Company, which specializes in bringing onsite instruction to local businesses. She also works as the Region II coordinator for the state’s Well Ahead program, and she recently invented a new fitness product that encourages quick and easy stretching. Her Spiro stretching tool, a lightweight and portable board, can help both athletes as well as less active people successfully stretch lots of different muscle groups, she says.
“Stretching just 10 minutes a day, especially when combined with deep breathing, is such a great way of increasing flexibility, reducing stress and improving mobility,” says Keegan, mother of three adult daughters. “It’s so easy, and it makes such a big difference.”
Keegan says she relishes teaching others about healthy living, and she walks the walk herself. Here’s a window into Keegan’s personal routine. spirostretch.com
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Sleep eight hours.
“I go to bed at 10 p.m. and get up at 6 a.m.,” Keegan says. “Sleep is huge. It not only hydrates the brain, but it resets your attitude.”
Begin the day with meditation …
After she gets up, Keegan spends a few minutes meditating, concentrating on her breathing in order to bring her mind and body into focus.
… followed by exercise.
After meditating, Keegan hops on her Rebounder mini-trampoline, dancing in place to the Black Eyed Peas.
Eat protein for breakfast.
Keegan is a big believer in protein for breakfast, but that doesn’t mean eggs and bacon. With a diet that’s about 90% plant-based, Keegan opts for sautéed tofu in the morning with a few roasted veggies she cooks on sheet pans the night before.
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Hydrate.
“I drink tons of water,” Keegan says. “I have alcohol every now and then, but I don’t overdo it. If I’m in a social situation, I might have a spritzer with some LaCroix and a little wine.”
This article was originally published in the January 2022 issue of 225 magazine.