{Take action} Try a little Rocket yoga

Yesterday evening I tried something a little new: Rocket yoga. Nicknamed 'the rocket' as it's said to "get you there faster", this is quite a shift from the steady, flowing hatha yoga I'm used to.


Created in San Francisco by Larry Shultz (while on tour with cult rock band The Grateful Dead, it's said), the practice uses combinations of the first three Ashtanga series and combines them at tempo.  Although I've been practising yoga for years, I went to a beginners Rocket class which highlighted the challenge of this form - it combines advanced and beginners poses in one sequence, moving from one to the other at quickening pace.  


You need to have had your Weetabix to give this a go - it relies on stamina and endurance and, with repeated lifts, persistance. At first I wasn't sure that the lack of calm in class suited me (as the sense of wellbeing from yoga is what motivates me to practice), however after working up a glistening sweat you're certainly rewarded with feel-good factor in bucket loads.  You definitely feel you've earned the relaxation.


Will it 'get me there faster' though? ... I'll keep you posted.


Take a look here: youtube.com

Photo: jenniferjarrettyoga.com

{Take action} Finding my 'yes'

Nestled under the 'hobbies and interests' section of my CV boldly sits the word yoga.  And, it's true, I love it. So much so that, at one point in my life, it became woven into the very fabric of my day - I practised each morning, I was studying the British Wheel of Yoga's certificate and I'd completed Yogabugs training. And I'd never felt better - my body felt toned, I was full of energy and it encouraged better food and drink habits too.


So why is it that, knowing how good this makes me feel, my yoga mat has been gathering dust for months?   The answer can only be ... habit.  I've been out of the habit of enjoying a true passion because my daily life has taken over.  I've said no in every form possible - I'm too busy, I'm working late, I'm tired ... the list goes on.


Recognising that I've not felt my best of late, I've decided it's time to form a new habit, it's time to say yes. 

To give me a little nudge, I've downloaded the wonderful LuluLemon's manifesto - download it here 


Photos:
Pinterest

{Take action} Go glutes!

I've been given some tough love! Feeling a little demotivated at seeing very little result after months of exercise (and, frankly, whinging about each workout!) I've been told by my lovely fiance Jack to step it up a gear. Can I hand on heart say I've pushed myself?? One of my target areas is my glutes so for the next couple of weeks I'm going to give it some serious welly, and here's my inspiration....

... love the Nike ad. It's not just about slimming down, it's keeping my body fit/strong/vigorous
... weighted lunges
... and squats
... I need some music to keep me going. My current favourite is 'I need a dollar' by Aloe Blacc
... Rachel Bilson is my exercise motivation.  She looks slim without falling into the scrawny/she-doesn't-eat camp

Photos: Pinterest