Category Archives: workout

Yoga for Athletes – Benefits that go beyond flexibility

Posted by Feb 18, 2015 fitness, health, passion, sports, workout, yoga, yoga for athletes Leave a Comment
Yoga for Athletes – Benefits that go beyond flexibility

A huge part of my passion for yoga is working with athletes and introducing them to the benefits of a regular yoga practice. It was my experience as an athlete that brought me to yoga in the first place. And it was the years of abuse, or misuse of my body as an athlete that kept me coming back to my mat. So when I come across a blog or article about the benefits of yoga for athletes I get excited. It represents one more person who has the same beliefs and passion as I do and is working hard at spreading the Yoga Love!

However, most of the time when I read such blogs I feel like something is missing. They usually focus on the merits of flexibility for athletes and often neglect the other elements of yoga. So I decided to write about it myself. And because there is so much information I want to cover I have decided to write in multiple parts as to not overwhelm you. Even this way I’m sure I won’t cover everything I would like to. But I do hope that I can plant seeds in you that will either lead you to start adding yoga to your training or perhaps you may share this information and influence someone else. Because you are reading this you likely consider yourself an athlete, or maybe you are a coach or trainer or even a parent of a young athlete. Wikipedia defines an athlete as “a person who competes in one or more sports that involve physical strength, speed and/or endurance.” I like to think that even if you don’t engage in direct competition with others but take time to train your body in exercise modalities of strength, speed or endurance you can consider yourself an athlete. Likely you are also curious about yoga and may have even tried it a couple of times. Yoga has become very mainstream in the Western world in the last two decades but is really just starting to take hold in the realm of sports training. There are so many trends that come and go as it relates to training that yoga may seem like just another fad. I can assure you that yoga is not just a fad and that its’ universal principals of health and well being can be beneficial to any athlete whether they be amateur or professional, just starting to be active, in their peak, or into retirement.

The main points I want to cover over several postings include:

  • Mobility and strength
  • Breath training and awareness
  • Mental focus and clarity
  • Overall wellness

In all areas of healthy and wellness there is room for debate. I am presenting my opinion and experiences and I encourage you to form your own. No two bodies are exactly alike and it’s best to surround yourself with health care professionals that you trust and who are open to holistic practices. If there are specific topics you would like me to cover or if you have questions about anything I’m presenting please leave me a comment and I will get back to you.

First up….Yoga for Athletes: Improved mobility and strength!……stay tuned.

How to stay motivated in your quest for optimal health

Posted by Jan 28, 2015 fitness, Happiness, health, new year's resolutions, passion, workout, yoga Leave a Comment
How to stay motivated in your quest for optimal health

As we near the end of January you might be looking back at the goals or resolutions you set for yourself just a short time ago. Have you picked up momentum or have you hit some speed bumps along the way? More than likely you have faced moments of doubt. We all do. So how does one stay motivated day after day?

We are all motivated in different ways and it’s worth while to sit down and ask yourself what motivates YOU! Is it inspirational quotes, images of others overcoming impossible tasks, is it a friend, family member or group of people? Make a list of of the first things that come to mind. Ultimately though I believe motivation must come from within. It’s there always, we might just need a little external “spark” to get it going again. Once you have taken some time to reflect or even try out your personal external motivators then make them a regular part of your day. Read a quote first thing in the morning, reach out to a friend mid-day for a quick chat or play that song that always gets your blood pumping right near the end of your workout when you think you can’t do anymore. It may also be worthwhile to note who or what drags you down and try to reduce their influence on you. There may be images or people who are not uplifting you the way you need them too. Perhaps this is a friend or partner who tends to be negative about your goals. Speak to them about this, maybe they don’t even realize the effect it has on you. Pictures can speak a thousand words so watch if commercial images of seemingly perfect people are causing you to doubt yourself. There are so many amazing videos out there of people just like you and I who have overcome great adversity to realize a healthy and happy life. If they can do it so can you.

I find external motivators in some of the most unlikely places. What motivates me to move my body the most is thinking about the people in my life that have been affected by illness and had their bodies virtually taken from them too soon. I think of my mother who died an early death due to cancer and how her body became so foreign to her. Or my friend and student who suffered a very short time with lung and brain cancer and found the simple act of breathing almost impossible. When I’m working out and I think I just can’t do any more I visualize their faces and I dedicate the next push of energy to them. Just writing this is getting me excited. When I run outdoors I take a path system that winds it’s way around my neighbourhood and I usually try and go a different way each time but normally the end of my run takes me down a main road. Often there is a man in a wheel chair watching the traffic pass and when I see him I give him a wave and he waves back. No matter how tired I feel at that moment I start to run like the wind. I can’t imagine he asked to be put in that wheel chair and I’m sure if given the choice he would rather run just like me. So I run and I run and I run….for him and for me.

Here are some of my favourite ways to spark my own internal motivation, maybe they can help you too:

  • Motivational quotes – if I find them online I write them down or pin them on my Pinterest board so that I can refer to them again.
  • Uplifting pages on Facebook – enough with the criticism, let’s support each other!
  • Videos of individuals who made radical changes to their lives.
  • Working out alongside people who inspire me with their dedication and intensity.
  • Surrounding myself with others who are on the same path of good health and sharing some of my obstacles with them.
  • Particular songs – I make sure they are on my playlists!

Always remember that there will be ups and downs. We can prepare ourselves for the “downs” and even allow ourselves to feel them. There’s a quote I love: “When you have one flat tire you don’t slash the other three.” When you have a day or week where you fall off track just get back on and try not to dwell on it. Reach out to those motivators. I would love for you to join my Facebook page where I try and post regular motivation.

“When you are just about to give up remember why you started” – Anonymous

How to FIT fitness in!

Posted by Jan 21, 2015 fitness, health, new year's resolutions, workout, yoga , , Leave a Comment

We hear it all the time “I’m too busy, I just can’t find time to workout”. Maybe you’ve said these words yourself. I know I’ve heard people say to me “It must be nice to have time to do yoga and workouts”. I get it you’re busy. We’re all busy with work, kids, appointments, chores around the house, errands etc. Just when we think we couldn’t possibly be any busier the pace of life gets even faster. And even if we made resolutions and intentions to allow ourselves more time to be healthy on Jan.1 we might now be sacrificing for something more pressing. So again we find an excuse not to be active…or do we??

We all know by now that leading an active lifestyle is vital to our health and longevity. And the occurrence of obesity and inactivity in our current sedentary lifestyles are high. Yet many people still do not prioritize exercise. There are certainly valid reasons to rest; recent surgery or treatments, healing from an injury, etc. But most of the people yet to commit to a daily routine do not fall under these categories.

Common Excuses:

  • I’m tired.
  • I’m busy at work.
  • My kids have their activities.

and my favourites!

  • I’m too out of shape.
  • I can’t afford it.

It’s about priorities and lifestyle changes. Do you want to be healthy? Be fit? Get strong? Then come up with a plan to get there. Right down the tasks that you need to get done in a day and where you need to be then get creative. There are so many resources available to help anyone make some major gains. There are online exercise programs and yoga classes. Gyms and training centres everywhere. Free community classes or energy exchange programs*.

Here are some tips on how to get creative with your time and get moving!

  • Wake up early and start your day with a workout. Maybe it’s a run or walk outside or maybe you hit your local training centre where someone guides you through a routine (perfect if you aren’t a morning person and need a kick in the butt!)
  • Use your lunch break at work to get your sweat on. Find a close by gym or yoga studio, or maybe you are lucky enough to have one in your workplace. Gather some coworkers and head outside for a walk. You will surely boost your productivity after you get your blood pumping!
  • At the end of your day head straight to a class instead of heading home and plopping yourself down on the couch. You will feel great about yourself!
  • Coordinate your children’s activities with something for yourself. Go for a run or see if there is a facility close by so that you aren’t just waiting around for them. What a great example you are setting for them!

Remember, you don’t need a full hour every day. Take 30 minutes and do a short body weight circuit in your living room. Or maybe you just need to make some logistics changes. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, park further away from the grocery store, walk to do an errand instead of driving. These changes may take time to implement but get going today! Don’t wait another day!

Stay tuned for my next post about how to motivate yourself and create healthy habits! And if you need help to get yourself moving then leave me a comment and we can discuss.

*Energy exchange programs are when you can perform small tasks at a facility i.e. yoga studio in exchange for free classes. These tasks are usually things like mopping the floors and changing garbages.10426135_10154775219575029_1832537439728938325_n-2