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Great infographic to explain interval training. Love it or hate it, interval training works. It's a great way to keep on top of your fitness when you are short of time and to improve performance and support other sports. It also helps to burn fat more effectively...
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Kids' yoga is taking off at the tennis club, following the introduction last summer during the multisports camps. Kids really enjoy the mix of fun and focus and finding novel ways to practise together. Some like the more active parts of the session best, and some really prefer the meditation and relaxation at the end: all clearly enjoy it as they keep coming back. This year we added sessions to the Easter sports camps and this summer we've added an extra day each week, now on Wednesdays and Fridays in July and August. Beautiful! I'm still feeling my sun salutations from yesterday, not just in my muscles, but within myself. I decided to focus just on this simple vinyasa, sometimes pausing to breathe awhile, sometimes being lead by the breath straight from one asana to another. Deeply focused, deeply connected. The one thing that can take away the thoughts that are constantly jumping around my mind these days, like naughty little monkeys. Helping me to stop daydreaming changes that are outside of my control. I'm looking forward to the warmer, dryer months so that I can take my regular practice outside again. There is nothing more lovely than to be in amongst nature, hearing the birds sing, feeling the sun on your face as you float through your practice. Click on the picture to enjoy the clip. Friday night saw me frantically whizzing back home for extra mats after several more girls than I expected arrived for their relaxation evening at Addlestone Guides. We started with savasana and focused breathwork. After a little mobilisation and a few rounds of Surya Namaskara (Sun Salutations), we started our main asana (posture) practice. We had some giggles along the way and rounded off with some guided relaxation, complete with eyebags for those who wanted them. Just 45 minutes to have them feeling completely chilled out.
It was lovely to see how enthusiastic the girls were to try yoga and meditation and there were quite a few questions at the end, and some girls showed me poses they've seen before. A fun evening spent with some lovely young ladies. I look forward to seeing some of them at the new teen yoga classes in the spring After an initial trickle of stories last year, there seems to be an outpouring now of articles and research concerning how yoga, meditation and mindfulness can improve mental health, not just in adults, but in children and teenagers. In the last few days alone I've read about schools in San Fransisco and in Toronto that have implemented programmes that are providing demonstrable results, and adoption of these programmes is snowballing. By demonstrable, I mean happier children who are behaving more appropriately, willingly, it seems. This is really great news, especially when you consider that, according to The World Health Organisation (WHO) there are around 350 million people in the world who will suffer from some form of mental illness during their life. And further, according to the WHO factsheet, almost 50% of mental health issues begin before the age of 14. Frightening stuff. So it's great to see the momentum building, and more and more children and young adults being given access to tools and techniques that can help to improve their mental and physical fitness. PHOTO: Rene Johnston / Toronto Star (c) Come and join our yoga for runners workshop on Saturday 25th January. This is an informal session, suitable for beginners or experienced yogis. Yoga can really support your running and fitness goals. Not only can you build strength, stamina and flexibility, it allows you to totally relax, which further aids recovery from your training or competition schedule. £15 for bookings in advance, £20 on the day. Don't fancy sweating it out in an aerobics class, or getting outside in the wind and rain? I don't blame you! Or maybe you'd just like to do something to support all the other activities you are doing... Why not try the new beginners' yoga class, an informal environment to learn the basics and give you confidence to join any 'all levels' classes or practice at home. Starting Sunday 12th Jan at The Scout Hall Weybridge. Hatha yoga combines physical exercise and mental discipline, with the goal of integrating and invigorating both body and mind. It is an excellent way to develop muscle tone and increase strength, flexibility and endurance, and is particularly good preparation and/or recovery from other sports, as well as helping to maintain good overall health and combat the stresses of work and modern life. The stretching in yoga is an excellent way to reduce the effects of stress on your body. Many postures apply gentle pressure to internal organs, stimulating the flow of blood and lymphatic fluid through the tissue. This, combined with controlled breathing with your movements, leads to you feeling invigorated and relaxed at the same time. You do not need to be flexible or fit to practice yoga, it is suitable for all ages and body types. Please contact us for more information. If you have any specific medical conditions please check with your GP and arrive 5 minutes early (or call beforehand) to ensure your yoga teacher is aware and can offer you appropriate alternatives throughout your practice.. See you there! Woohoo, new Kids' yoga classes for the new year. After the huge success, not to mention the fun had by teachers and kids, of the summer camps this year, we've decided to run a regular kids' yoga class in Weybridge from 12th January 2014. Suitable for mature 6 years upwards, to about 12. Check out the Classes page on this site for details. Only £5 per child (or £8 for a pair of siblings). Enhances concentration Increases flexibility and balance Improves general well-being Boosts confidence Relaxes their minds Develops discipline As we get into party season (I have 3 this week, lucky me!) it occurs to me that my feet and legs are going to suffer as I go from barefoot (as much as possible) to high heels. I decided to be a little proactive and went in search of a yoga routine that could help me cope with all the partying. Here's a nice little one from Tara Stiles... enjoy! Another interesting article, this time 10 Simple Things You Can Do Today That Will Make You Happier, Backed By Science. I've noticed the difference in myself and others when practising point 9 regularly, even if for just 5 - 10 minutes a few times a week (I'm offering yoga nidra and guided meditation now, ping me if you are interested). Point number 10 is also very relevant, writing a gratitude list, I do this if things go wrong, it helps keep some perspective and really does work when you are feeling a little under par. In fact, looking through the list, number 8 is the only one I haven't tried, although I was thinking about a holiday, maybe I should try it now and report back... |
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I’m a life coach, yoga teacher, communications professional and fitness enthusiast. I’m a closet techie and science boff in my spare time. I’m also part-time slave and taxi driver to a 14 year old.
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