Yin Yoga

One of my goals for a while now has been to practice yoga. I remember I hated my first ever class, I just didn't get it and I was put off by it but when I tried it again with a different teacher it just clicked. 

I never really went to a class consistently for a few years after that but when I moved to Redditch I attended a Yoga Fitness class, which was intense but so enjoyable. Since then I haven't practiced yoga consistently despite trying my best to motivate myself at home. However, I now believe I have found the practice most suitable to me. 

I discovered Yin Yoga in Bali, thanks to Beverley who gave me her class allowance once she left. I can remember the session as if it were yesterday and I can tell you how much I hated it. I can still hear the teacher talk about her own experience in her first class to which she too hated. I laugh about it now. 

Why do most people hate it on their first try? Well Yin Yoga is about holding a pose for 5 or more minutes. It can be pretty intense, especially if you're not particularly flexible. In my first session I wanted to cry, scream, shout and walk out. Mentally I wasn't prepared, physically I wasn't able! But now I actually love it! I feel amazing and I've been doing it everyday for almost 1 week. 

I finally feel like this is the way I'll increase my flexibility, bring awareness to my life and connect to my body. I am a very impatient person, but I really think practicing Yin Yoga will help with this too. I'm also lazy and like to lay around, so this is perfect because often the poses require me to lay down for 5 minutes at a time! The added benefit is that I'll improve my flexibility as a result. Bonus! 

I'm normally rushing around thinking I need to do things fast so it's finally nice to find the balance and practice Yin Yoga to go slow, relax and take the time to improve an area of my body. 

This morning I found a lesson on YouTube and I want to share it with you. 

Enjoy and let me know if you do it, or if you've ever taken a Yin Yoga class before. 

Sunday update - technology

The days all merge into one by the time Sunday comes around. My weekly trip to New Smithfield Market always seems to feel like it was just yesterday that I had been, but clearly it was a week ago else I wouldn't need more tomatoes!

I try to get some exercise in every other day or so by means of cycling and I really pushed myself too hard the other day. I still need to purchase some pedals and shoes, but I'm delaying it a bit longer to see if they go down in the summer sale. I like being on the bike, it's a great way to cover some distance and get in a workout. Running would make me need to wee and poo so I didn't run far... :-)

I really want to get a group of ladies together to meet once a week for a group exercise class in the park. It would be a good challenge for me and will help my own fitness as well as my creativity.

I've spent some time listening to specific meditation tunes on YouTube over the last couple of days. It's been interesting and I want to focus some time experimenting to see if they work long term or just at all! I mainly want to look into astral travel, healing, positive thinking and working on the chakras. I'll make a post when I've done some experimenting.

It's been a few weeks since I deactivated my Facebook account and I have to say it's liberating. It is easy to be addicted to it and I even question using any technology... I think that's partly why I haven't blogged as much. 

The world is very much technology focused and when I met George in Thailand he got me thinking. George is from Cyprus, said he is sensitive to electromagnetic sources so he doesn't own a phone, laptop, tablet, etc. He's well read (Dad owns a bookshop) and he meditates, that's his claim for knowing about the Thai Fruit Fest, it came to him in his meditation. I'm either naive or he's genuine, but I'm going with him on this one. I doubt I'll give up my phone or tablet (because I like taking photos) but I like the idea of spending less time glued to a computer.

So on that note I am going to go!

Enjoy your Sunday. If you're in Manchester and want to do some weekly exercise send me a message!

Jennifer x

Sweaty Saturday

Welcome to Sweaty Saturday!

Unfortunately my only exercise today was carrying some fruit and veg to the car from the wholesale market, unloading at home and then putting it away. Oh and I walked around the corner to see my Granddad, followed by a jog home!

So, if you are lazy like me and you really cannot face going outside to run/cycle or go to the gym to lift weights you can join me in my bedtime preparation workout.

Whilst you are on the loo you could do some stretches, especially in your upper body. Put your hands together and reach as high up as you can. Perhaps you have heavy shoulders from a hard day. I feel better when I do this stretch.

Whilst you are brushing your teeth you can do some squats, lunges or both.

Before you get into bed do some push ups, planks, sit ups or all three!

Whilst you're in bed stretch your entire body!

It's only a short workout but at least you're moving and perhaps it's that little bit of extra energy burn you need to fall asleep :)

Much love

Jennifer x

Wishful Wednesday

Today is Wishful Wednesday!

I hope you have all had a fantastic week and are doing things you enjoy every day. Tonight I am starting an acting course. I used to be such a shy child and I remember I used to cry if I didn't feel comfortable so as an adult I am doing things that I always dreamed of having the confidence to do when I was younger.

So I feel good that I am fulfilling my childhood wishes, which means that what I wish for now will come true in a few years if not sooner (obviously my choices decide this)!

Today I am wishing for ultimate cardiovascular fitness.

Running in my vibrams!

Climbed in the park

I remember in primary school I wanted to join the cross country team, so I went out with them to try it. This was the worst experience I had had exercising because I couldn't keep up as I struggled to breathe. As a 9/10 year old I never thought there was anything wrong with me, I just thought I was pathetic so I stopped pursuing the dream of joining the team and that was the end of running for me.

Go forward 6-7 years and I'm being diagnosed with exercise induced asthma. Explains my inability to breathe when I run! I used an inhaler from then on whenever I exercised. It helped me build up my ability to run when I was 22 and I was doing 5-7km runs a couple of times a week.

Now jump ahead another 5 years and here I am, 27 years old. I do not use an inhaler anymore and I am gradually building up my strength and ability to run again.

With regular training and a clean diet, I wish to get back to doing 5-7km runs and I wish that I can do it with great ease. This wish is going to come true but I will need patience.

What are you wishing for today? 

Much love

Jennifer x

Sweaty Saturday

It's the weekend and today is Sweaty Saturday.

The purpose of Sweaty Saturday is to share with you some exercise related information. This week I am sharing a video I find fun to do - exercise for me has to be fun in order for me to want to do it again, unless I am getting serious results! 

A few years ago I was at a gym that offered free classes and the instructor gained his certificate in Tabata, which was the start of my love for this way of exercising. Well I tend to get very distracted at the gym if I am exercising alone, I must admit I can appreciate the body of a well defined man, so I need to do exercises to keep my focus and this video is great for that. I did actually do this at the gym, I used the free WiFi and had it playing on my phone. Home exercise for me is quite difficult to complete, as I said I get distracted!

The video is from FitnessBlender on YouTube and this channel contains a lot of other workouts like kettlebells, abs, fat burning, etc too so check it out! 

I hope you enjoy getting sweaty this Saturday. Once you have worked up a sweat, don't forget to fuel your body with the best foods - fruit and vegetables! Eat clean to look lean and be 100% raw ;)

Much love

Jennifer x