A little more about my yoga practice....
At this point in time I am enjoying having a strong breath through my yoga practice. In yoga words, it about using your fire element. In terms of the movements I am enjoying, I love the postures with hip openings, especially back bends, as you have to open the face of the hips to achieve this, not just bend your back! I always feel I can work strongly in hip opening postures. I need lots of work on forward bend, as these openings are very tight, the hamstrings and groin(!). I am working on jumping my feet forwards and backwards in postures which are best shown in the following youtube video.
jump back/jump forward
And then the following video shows some amazing yogis displaying the Asthanga Vinyasa method. A very powerful, dynamic and elegant practice.
Ashtanga Yoga
And finally a word from Pattabhi Jois, a wonderful teacher who brought this Yoga to the West from India, practiced and taught it for over 60 years.
Pattabhi Jois
x Bron
Monday, June 29, 2009
It's all Yoga, Yoga and Yogis!
Lately I've been commiting to alot of yoga classes. I've done 2 solid blocks of beginner courses and in the third currently. I'm also sampling the introduction to Ashtanga Vinyasa classes, and very powerful and dynamic practice. As is everything in life, only when you practice it lots (not just think and talk about it) you get alot out of it, hence the saying you only get out what you put in. Nothing can be more true in yoga.
One of the things I like about yoga is it's essential simplicity. All you need to practice it is a floor space and time. Not much else really. A few things make it more comfotable, and able to achieve certain postures in the beginner phase, but there really arn't too many gadgets associated with it. There is one thing however that we can all take from it and get immediate advantage, no matter the time or commitment we are able to give to it. An eye pillow. It's one thing that if all you have is a few moments to take time out, will help make you more relaxed, quicker. Eye movement and thinking immediatly slow down. The weight of it on your eyes makes for no effort to close your eyes. It makes you remove the heaviness and scrunching of the eye lids and sourounding muscles. Usually they are filled with delicately smelling lavender flowers too.
Eye pillowss are cheap and easy to buy (if you look in the right shops!). And they are even easier to make. Get yourself a mix of lavender (25g)and flaxseeds/linseeds(125g), totalling about 150g. Buy a lovely feeling piece of fabric (charmeuse silk would be divine) about 45cm x 25cm, so as to encase the filling leaving you with a bag that's approximately 10cm x 20cm. You don't even need a sewing machine, just a lazy evening sitting in front of the television, hand sewing your little masterpiece.
And enjoy. Remember to relax reguarly. And Breathe!
Some eye pillows you can purchase;
Lululemon have them for about $20.
Garden of Eden Nursery in Albert Park have lovely silk Australian made eye pillows for $20.
Here's one on ebay;
Lately I've been commiting to alot of yoga classes. I've done 2 solid blocks of beginner courses and in the third currently. I'm also sampling the introduction to Ashtanga Vinyasa classes, and very powerful and dynamic practice. As is everything in life, only when you practice it lots (not just think and talk about it) you get alot out of it, hence the saying you only get out what you put in. Nothing can be more true in yoga.
One of the things I like about yoga is it's essential simplicity. All you need to practice it is a floor space and time. Not much else really. A few things make it more comfotable, and able to achieve certain postures in the beginner phase, but there really arn't too many gadgets associated with it. There is one thing however that we can all take from it and get immediate advantage, no matter the time or commitment we are able to give to it. An eye pillow. It's one thing that if all you have is a few moments to take time out, will help make you more relaxed, quicker. Eye movement and thinking immediatly slow down. The weight of it on your eyes makes for no effort to close your eyes. It makes you remove the heaviness and scrunching of the eye lids and sourounding muscles. Usually they are filled with delicately smelling lavender flowers too.
Eye pillowss are cheap and easy to buy (if you look in the right shops!). And they are even easier to make. Get yourself a mix of lavender (25g)and flaxseeds/linseeds(125g), totalling about 150g. Buy a lovely feeling piece of fabric (charmeuse silk would be divine) about 45cm x 25cm, so as to encase the filling leaving you with a bag that's approximately 10cm x 20cm. You don't even need a sewing machine, just a lazy evening sitting in front of the television, hand sewing your little masterpiece.
And enjoy. Remember to relax reguarly. And Breathe!
Some eye pillows you can purchase;
Lululemon have them for about $20.
Garden of Eden Nursery in Albert Park have lovely silk Australian made eye pillows for $20.
Here's one on ebay;
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Introducing my new love...
a handmade steel frame made in Sweden
27" wheels
huge front basket
big sturdy rear rack
comfy saddle for cycling with any attire
low instep
fenders
skirt guard! That's right, I ride in a dress!
kick stand
front mega bright dynamo led light that works off your leg power, no batteries needed!
bright rear light
8 Speed automatic changing gears, which is powered from the dynamo hub
coaster brake, and front hub brake
Integrated rear wheel lock that disallows unwanted hands to ride off with your bike.
So whatever you're wearing, where ever you want to go, just put your helmet on and you go! You just have to pedal, cruise and enjoy watching the world go by. Life's better with a bike, and it's even better when it fit's your life style and replaces your car so well.
I've ridden her to the city practice this week and it only added 5 minutes to where my road bike takes 30 minutes. Commuting to the Brighton practice takes a pleasant 15 minute's ride along the beach foreshore bike trail, driving takes 8 minutes. So if you think she looks slow, she quite deceptively isn't.
The front basket quite adequately holds the 4-5 things you might ride to the local shops for to make dinner, or a 6 pack, and the rear rack easily holds a big box of produce from the market when doing the weekly shop.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
I'm very close to getting a new gorgeous bike for my short commutes/shopping trips/running errands. It's a chic bike that is just as stylish as is is fabulous quality. But lets not get carried away. It's not mine until it's mine.
In the mean time, I've been thinking about helmets. Such a stylish bike demands a stylish helmet. Not the sporty dashing types that I wear to mountain bike or road cycle. Something that if you left on your head while you wore a dress, it would look great, but also work as it's original intended purpose, as a brain bucket should the worst ever occur. I've just come across Yakkay helmets. The following pictures are of hats especially designed to go with these fabulous helmets. Now....to go about finding how to buy one....
In the mean time, I've been thinking about helmets. Such a stylish bike demands a stylish helmet. Not the sporty dashing types that I wear to mountain bike or road cycle. Something that if you left on your head while you wore a dress, it would look great, but also work as it's original intended purpose, as a brain bucket should the worst ever occur. I've just come across Yakkay helmets. The following pictures are of hats especially designed to go with these fabulous helmets. Now....to go about finding how to buy one....
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Five Fingers Cont...
These vibram five fingers have been on my mind. With the weather cooling, and having the female characteristic of cold hands and toes, I've been considering these for yoga as the only alternative is bare feet in the cold studio. Well it's not that cold, but barefoot below 20 degrees and my toes are little icicles.
I've also grown to consider if they are going to help me re-establish muscles and use of my little toes. All they do these days is curl into the neighboring toe and are thus useless, completely. These little toes are designed to work, but modern day man in flat platform shoes makes these little pinkies lazy. And as it goes, if you don't use it, you loose it.
Alot of runners are loving these and saying that it has helped change their running technique for the better. I'm intrigued and have been searching for more info.
I came across Dr Silberman and am interested to try his running technique. See it for yourself;
What's interesting is Dr Silberman critiquing Radcliffe, Gebrselassie, an immediate novice to his technique, and one who had a little time to practice. I've been running for about 2 1/2 years now, but still consider myself a novice. I'm going to give this approach a try, as I'm guilty of heel pounding.
REI has 20% off for members at the moment so I'm almost totally convinced to buy a pair and give five fingers a go. Might give them a whirl jogging around Albert Park. Just as soon as the Grand Priz leaves town.
These vibram five fingers have been on my mind. With the weather cooling, and having the female characteristic of cold hands and toes, I've been considering these for yoga as the only alternative is bare feet in the cold studio. Well it's not that cold, but barefoot below 20 degrees and my toes are little icicles.
I've also grown to consider if they are going to help me re-establish muscles and use of my little toes. All they do these days is curl into the neighboring toe and are thus useless, completely. These little toes are designed to work, but modern day man in flat platform shoes makes these little pinkies lazy. And as it goes, if you don't use it, you loose it.
Alot of runners are loving these and saying that it has helped change their running technique for the better. I'm intrigued and have been searching for more info.
I came across Dr Silberman and am interested to try his running technique. See it for yourself;
What's interesting is Dr Silberman critiquing Radcliffe, Gebrselassie, an immediate novice to his technique, and one who had a little time to practice. I've been running for about 2 1/2 years now, but still consider myself a novice. I'm going to give this approach a try, as I'm guilty of heel pounding.
REI has 20% off for members at the moment so I'm almost totally convinced to buy a pair and give five fingers a go. Might give them a whirl jogging around Albert Park. Just as soon as the Grand Priz leaves town.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Gadgets for a terrific cause!
Get yourself one of these. And if you can, get a box of them to sell at work or your club. It's a keyring with a token that works on shopping trolleys and some gym lockers (in lieu of $1 and $2 coins). Put it on your car keys and never be without a coin when it's needed. I've gone into a supermarket heaps of times without a coin for the trolley, and resorted to putting everything into baskets and looking pathetic trying to carry 10kg+ around as I do the weekly shop. Get one of these and problem solved.
But the most important thing is that through buying these, you'll be contributing much needed funds towards a wonderful foundation that directly helps women with breast cancer. Throw in a few $1 and $2 donations at the same time, you won't be needing them anymore for the trolley.
McGrathFoundation
Get yourself one of these. And if you can, get a box of them to sell at work or your club. It's a keyring with a token that works on shopping trolleys and some gym lockers (in lieu of $1 and $2 coins). Put it on your car keys and never be without a coin when it's needed. I've gone into a supermarket heaps of times without a coin for the trolley, and resorted to putting everything into baskets and looking pathetic trying to carry 10kg+ around as I do the weekly shop. Get one of these and problem solved.
But the most important thing is that through buying these, you'll be contributing much needed funds towards a wonderful foundation that directly helps women with breast cancer. Throw in a few $1 and $2 donations at the same time, you won't be needing them anymore for the trolley.
McGrathFoundation
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
ONE FOR THE GIRLS...
If you're a bloke, stop reading this post now. No really, cause if you do read on, you'll likely wish you hadn't later.
I have been growing more annoyed about the price of those certain products one needs to buy every month as a woman. Add to it, knowing you're adding to the cotton/cardboard/etc, landfill, all around environmental impact these products contribute to. I recently remembered a product I came across once in the US but was reluctant to buy at the time. So I went about an online search for it, found it on rei.com. But I must admit I bought it via a retailer on ebay.com as the product and postage were cheaper. A neat little package arrived in the mail soon after, and at my next time to try it, did so. Without going into specifics, it gets the tick of approval and am happy to recommend it to others. I have even used it cycling and wasn't any more uncomfortable for it. It is a little pricy, but if it goes the distance, I should break even after 5 months.
My next female specific product on it's way in the post as we speak, is this beauty. Sani-Fem I'm looking forward to it making life easier out cycling and hikeing. I'm a sadist for getting de-hydrated on adventures through not drinking for the in-convenience of a regular girls bush squat. Review to come.
If you're a bloke, stop reading this post now. No really, cause if you do read on, you'll likely wish you hadn't later.
I have been growing more annoyed about the price of those certain products one needs to buy every month as a woman. Add to it, knowing you're adding to the cotton/cardboard/etc, landfill, all around environmental impact these products contribute to. I recently remembered a product I came across once in the US but was reluctant to buy at the time. So I went about an online search for it, found it on rei.com. But I must admit I bought it via a retailer on ebay.com as the product and postage were cheaper. A neat little package arrived in the mail soon after, and at my next time to try it, did so. Without going into specifics, it gets the tick of approval and am happy to recommend it to others. I have even used it cycling and wasn't any more uncomfortable for it. It is a little pricy, but if it goes the distance, I should break even after 5 months.
My next female specific product on it's way in the post as we speak, is this beauty. Sani-Fem I'm looking forward to it making life easier out cycling and hikeing. I'm a sadist for getting de-hydrated on adventures through not drinking for the in-convenience of a regular girls bush squat. Review to come.
I thought I'd start a public inventory of all my odd and unique and hard to find gadgets which I buy and have collected over the years for cycling, hiking and skiing, and for a few other odd uses. I'll provide a bit of info and review of the products briefly and also include where to buy it if it's still available. I consider myself a miminalist when it comes to my gear, but more than happy to cart along gadgets which contribute to making the experience easier or better.
So my first blog might as well be about the last thing I bought. My husbands long hours on the bike mean for the bikers arm tan, you know, the one when shirtless, he looks like he's still wearing a white t-shirt on tanned arms. Not even the winter months these days see the tan vanish. So with sunscreen on exposed arms insifficiant in the summer, along came these beauties!
White Arm Coolers (not warmers)! Claimed to be cooler than wearing nothing in the heat. From De Soto, and tri-athlon equipment and clothing company. So I bought these straight from the US, on teamestrogen.com and Greg gave them a go on a 200km+ riding weekend. He reports back that they were nice and cool, and he never felt the warm March alpine sun on his arms. No sunscreen either, no sunburnt arms. Seems good so far. Let the tan fade begin.
So my first blog might as well be about the last thing I bought. My husbands long hours on the bike mean for the bikers arm tan, you know, the one when shirtless, he looks like he's still wearing a white t-shirt on tanned arms. Not even the winter months these days see the tan vanish. So with sunscreen on exposed arms insifficiant in the summer, along came these beauties!
White Arm Coolers (not warmers)! Claimed to be cooler than wearing nothing in the heat. From De Soto, and tri-athlon equipment and clothing company. So I bought these straight from the US, on teamestrogen.com and Greg gave them a go on a 200km+ riding weekend. He reports back that they were nice and cool, and he never felt the warm March alpine sun on his arms. No sunscreen either, no sunburnt arms. Seems good so far. Let the tan fade begin.
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