Let's Do Some Yoga!!

Confession: I have not done any yoga for over a week.

I know. Hopefully you did not fall off your chair and break something at that news, but if you did, it is understandable. This is quite different, especially for a crazy yoga enthusiast like me. Yoga is wonderful for all of us cardio and weight junkies and something that can slip through the cracks if we are not careful. Just like any physical activity, it takes a small to large amount of pre-planning to get. things. done.

To help with that, I searched the internet for some great yoga sequences that are about 30-minutes long. Why 30-minutes you ask? Well, that is simple! A friend of mine has started a challenge to do 30-minutes of yoga at least once per day. How great is that?! This would leave you feeling refreshed, renewed, and ready for life like few other things can! It will also help stretch those muscles, increase joint lubrication, improve those non-yoga workout results, get better balance, and tone those muscles. A whole month may be difficult, but why don't we all try doing a 30-minute yoga flow at least once per day for the next week!

This will be such a great habit to start and a wonderful way to kick off our slim down challenge! To get you started, I have listed three great sequences below along with links to their YouTube channels where you can find more.

Jillian Michaels Yoga

If you are more into the cardio, sweat kind of yoga, then Jillian Michaels is for you. Her yoga playlist can be found here.

Ali Kamenova

The middle road lovers will love Ali K. She does everything from relaxing flows to intense I think I just died flows. there is sure to be something you love between these three!

Yoga by Candace

Those who would rather have something slower but still engaging, try Candace. She is wonderful at breaking down sequences and making the yoga flow as understandable as it is healthy.

Some Great Yoga and A Book

Well, after this week, I am definitely needing some great yoga! It has been a wonderful end to 2014 and a very progressive but relaxed beginning. On December 31st I picked up North and South- a favorite mini series (Richard Armitage as John Thornton, I can't even) and classic English literature. It turned out that I was as engrossed in the book as I have always been in the mini series and got 20% through Wednesday, spending most of yesterday reading and finishing last night around 2 am.

It was a beautiful book and I loved hearing all my favorite characters' thoughts through out- especially John Thornton's. Swoon. Unfortunately, I thought the end was rather abrupt and wished for another chapter or two. But, that is what they say a good book should feel like, right? One should race to the end, then feel remorse that there is no more. If that is the case, this is definitely a book you should consider reading, or watching the mini series that is free on Netflix and Amazon Prime. It is so. good.

Now, on to the whole purpose of this post, nay, this blog- a workout! I have not been doing as many of my own workouts lately, but taking workouts from online and adding a bit extra to it. There is a resistance band bum workout that will simply have to be shared soon (it will change your bum), but for now, here is a yoga video that I love and will be doing later today!

I did this flow a few days ago after a 3-mile run and simply loved it! It was the perfect stretch/tone/cool down that my body needed. This yoga flow can be done on it's own, or with another cardio or strength workout to get those muscles warmed up and ready!

Now, for a questions... Do you prefer reading a book first or watching the movie/mini series/show? I am a fan of watching the movie for an overview, then reading the book for a more in-depth look at the characters!

Also, sorry for the messy half post yesterday... That is a future title that I thought was scheduled for next week. So, there was a little preview for you- Life hacks for 2015!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Yoga for the Holidays

Hello friends! I am sorry for the confusion yesterday and the lack of an actual post. This weekend we were at my uncle's wedding in Miami and I came home on Sunday with a terrible bug. Thankfully, the hubs came home from his film shoot Monday night and promptly took me to the doctor Tuesday morning- you know, since being ill means I am automatically turned into a baby who is capable of doing nothing for herself. Now, I have been on antibiotics for for a day and already feeling better! But, that does mean yesterday was a haze of not caring about anything other than sleep, water, tissues, and food.

Today though, we have two fantastic yoga sequences that I did last week and absolutely loved. The first was completed after a short run and the second was done before bed after the wedding Saturday night. I absolutely loved the sequence before bed. It was the perfect way to finish off the day. After the wedding, my cousin, grandma, and I went back to the hotel and found ourselves tired but not tired enough to fall asleep. To help this, Alicia and I did the evening yoga sequence that was only about 20-minutes long but did the trick. Afterwards we were refreshed and ready for bed. Neither of us remember falling asleep, but we do not remember being awake for long. It was a very good night's rest.

Yoga for Core 30-Minutes

Yoga for Core 20-Minutes

The next morning neither of us wanted to get out of bed, so Alicia asked if there was a good online yoga sequence we could do while still in bed. I found this one by Tara Stiles. It is 4-minutes long and tricks you so good at the end. I would suggest not watching it ahead and doing it tomorrow morning. Tell me what you think of her trickiness!

Gifts for the Fit Friend Who Has Everything

We all know them, see them, and have them as friends and if you don't, chances are you're that friend. The girl (or guy) who is a super fit junkie but seems to have everything days, no, months before everyone else. These people are the hardest to find gifts for, but fear not, getting them the perfect gift is totally in your ability.

To start off this week's gift giving theme, we have gifts for that fit person who has it all. These gifts run the gambit of prices from $20 to $200 and more. The nice thing is, there is something on this list that will be a fit for that fitness junkie in your life.

Ballet Beautiful Classes- $35 each

Mary Helen Bowers is the founder of Ballet Beautiful and the [almost] official trainer for Victoria's Secret models everywhere. She is also the one who trained Natalie Portman for her role in Black Swan. Needless to say she has it going on. Her classes use her ballet background to form intense, lean muscle toning workouts that will give you the body of a prima ballerina.

Ballet Beautiful has a few studios in NYC but, she has online classes throughout the week that you can sign up for and take via the internet! These classes are not run-of-the mill streaming recordings of previous lessons, no, these are classes with MHB where you can see her and SHE CAN SEE YOU. What!?! Yes. Just yes. If you have yogi friends, Pure Barr fanatics, and previous dancers, let me introduce you to the best Christmas gift ever. This is something that almost any girl would flip for and can be added to a bundle with a few of her CD's to really get them prepped. Seriously, Christmas win.

Oh, and I am pretty sure this picture was taken like right after having her first child. Whhaatt?!?!?!

Fabletics $49.95 Monthly

Fabletics is a great clothing distribution site that Kate Hudson helped found. It is a bit like a cheese of the month club, but instead of cheese, you get credits towards fitness apparel and reduced prices to boot. I must admit that when I first started Fabletics, I thought it was awful. But, then I found my right size and, boy, has my tune changed.

This can be a wonderful gift for the fit friends who always looks great does not seem to need help in the wardrobe department. New clothes come out monthly and are chosen from a fit style test taken when your account is started.  This is the type of gift that will go well beyond the holiday season.

If a year membership is not something your wallet wants to give, you can always do a month or two, then let your friend decide if they want to keep it going. This just might be the gift of choice for a few people on my list!

Tory Burch for Fitbit $175-$195

Chances are pretty high that your fit friend also has a Fitbit attached to them almost everywhere they go. Give them the gift of healthy glam this holiday season with Tory Burch's line of Fitbit holding accessories. These beauties come in rose gold, gold, and silver and are made to hold the Fitbit Flex. Personally, I like the necklace ($175) a bit more than the bracelet ($195), but each are quite pretty!

This may not be the best gift for those friends who are biding their time until the Apple Watch comes out, but for all those other fitnessistas, it is perfect!

Sweaty Betty

It is like we went from one day of not hearing Sweaty Betty anywhere to it being all we talk about the next. If you have not heard about Sweaty Betty, they are a fitness line based out of the UK with ridiculously great workout clothes and Lululemon prices to go along with it. No, you may not be able to afford a complete workout ensemble, but a gift card to Sweaty Betty will go a long way in your fit friend's eyes!

Of course, if you know the activities said friend enjoys, their size, and style, you can always pick something out for them instead. It is hard not to love everything on the site so good luck just picking one item.

Here are a few great gifts under $50!