Wednesday 24 July 2013
Tuesday 16 July 2013
Why I Love Yoga
Yoga changed my life. Big call I know... but it's true.
Before I started yoga, there wasn't any type of exercise that I particularly enjoyed. I've always walked here and there, did a bit of dance during school days, then there are the occasional bursts of motivation to run (they die off quickly, but I try) but when I started yoga, it was love. I became a devoted yogi and not in any stereotypical hippy way... I just really love yoga and everything it does for me.
I think that it's important to find a way to move your body that you enjoy, that nourishes you and your soul so you do it more regularly. Some people love running, some love hitting the gym and these things are great if you love doing them! Combine these with yoga and you will excel even more at them! For example, as I said, I am not much of a runner although my running now compared to my running before I started yoga has improved tremendously. One reason for this is because yoga improves your lung capacity as you learn to breathe deeper and better.
One thing I find funny is that many people think of yoga as a relaxing activity. While one of the benefits post class is having a much more relaxed outlook, the class itself is anything but! It definitely can be relaxing in some types of yoga, especially during the savasana (relaxing pose/dead man pose), but to you people that think that for all yoga I say - you have never been to a Power Vinyasa or Bikram class! And, you have never met the people in my class! They are taught, trim and terrific. Clear skin, tight abs, fit fit fit... and most of them do yoga as their only form of exercise.
My yoga of choice is Bikram Yoga. I have been doing it for around 3 years & love it. I do other types of yoga sometimes and I do some yoga at home to mix things up a bit but I always go back to the Bikram studio. For those that don't know much about Bikram Yoga, it is yoga that is practiced in a room heated to 40'c with around 40% humidity (so you basically sweat your ass off throughout the whole class, literally, you are dripping wet by the end of class).
Before I started Bikram yoga I had chronic migraines. I had a migraine or headache 3 weeks out of every month. I took pain killers every day just to get through work and would come home tired and grumpy and would want to go to sleep because I felt so terrible. I have suffered migraines since I was a child and have tried so many things to get rid of them. Some of these include - going to the optometrist, he said it was my eyes, so I got glasses. Then I tried the osteopath, he said it was my back that needed cracking. Then off I went to the masseuse, it apparently was knots in my neck. I then tried an acupuncturist, she said it was the heat in my liver. Went to the doctor, he said it was food allergies, I had to eliminate certain foods to see what it was (it was nothing).... Then, I started Bikram Yoga... Went again, and again... Slowly I could feel my whole body opening up in a way I had never felt before. I worked on strengthening and lengthening my spine, worked on opening my back and after a couple of months my migraines started to subside, now I actually can't remember the last time I had a migraine (touch wood). I have had a little headache but nothing like the debilitating pain I used to feel. It could be that through practicing yoga all of the above reasons for my migraines disappeared... It could be that I just needed to move my body in a new way.
There are so many benefits to yoga.. I personally think that Bikram yoga is especially beneficial because of the heat as you are sweating out all of the toxins that are in your body. Naturally you begin to eat better as you crave better foods.
Some other benefits are increased flexibility (thanks to the heat you can stretch so much more), increased muscle tone, ability to sleep better, clearer skin, reduced stress (my husband can attest to this, I am so much happier now!) and improved concentration. Through certain postures you stimulate the thyroid gland (which is important to help prevent weight gain and also to keep the thyroid healthy) & the pituitary gland which helps to keep you looking young! It prevents illness (I haven't been really sick in ages, I actually can't remember the last time I was sick... maybe a couple of years - where is that wood again?), I am sure this is because I sweat out all the toxins. At the first signs of getting the sniffles I get myself to a Bikram class and get it all out of my system.
There are so many more benefits such as treating depression, arthritis and back problems but these are the ones that I have personally felt. It is such a great style of yoga for beginners and advanced.. There are people aged between 16 years old -70+ in my class so there are no excuses that you are too old to start!
Ever wonder why people that do yoga seem happier? That is because they are! During yoga, the hormone oxytocin is released (the same hormone released when you cuddle someone).
Another part of yoga that I love is the confidence it gives you. I (like most other women) suffer from insecurities with my body. What yoga has taught me is that we are all unique and should embrace and be grateful for the body and life we were given. If you have been to a Bikram class you will notice that the yogi's don't wear much... Just a crop top and bike pants..or sometimes a man up the front will be wearing a nice colourful pair of budgy smugglers. At first I thought, oh my goodness I could never wear that! I used to wear a massive baggy top and full length tights and would stand up the back so no one could see me. As you will quickly learn, it is way too hot to be wearing so many clothes so eventually mine matched the other yogis (not the budgy smugglers - that would be weird). This is because now I have realised that no one cares what I wear, and if they do - I don't care what they think! Everyone is at yoga to improve themselves, not to concentrate on other people. I am happy with the body I was given because I have learnt to be grateful to have one that is healthy, happy and able to do what I want it to do.
Yoga teaches you patience and discipline. It builds on endurance and there is never any finality, you can always get better and better. The body is an amazing thing and what it can do if you apply yourself is incredible.
It is a complete mind and body exercise, the stronger your mind the better your yoga will be. The more you strengthen your mind at yoga, the stronger it will be outside of the yoga room at home or work.
I could go on forever about how great it will make you feel once you start but you will never know unless you try it yourself... So go on.. Let me know how you go! Give yourself at least 5 classes before you judge whether you like it or not, it will be hard - very hard at first! But it will get better! And you will feel amazing!
Here is a list of other top reasons to give yoga a go http://www.ageology.com/blog/top-25-reasons-do-yoga-hormonal-health
Namaste :)
Bee xx
images sourced from www.bikramyogacapalaba.com.au
Before I started yoga, there wasn't any type of exercise that I particularly enjoyed. I've always walked here and there, did a bit of dance during school days, then there are the occasional bursts of motivation to run (they die off quickly, but I try) but when I started yoga, it was love. I became a devoted yogi and not in any stereotypical hippy way... I just really love yoga and everything it does for me.
I think that it's important to find a way to move your body that you enjoy, that nourishes you and your soul so you do it more regularly. Some people love running, some love hitting the gym and these things are great if you love doing them! Combine these with yoga and you will excel even more at them! For example, as I said, I am not much of a runner although my running now compared to my running before I started yoga has improved tremendously. One reason for this is because yoga improves your lung capacity as you learn to breathe deeper and better.
One thing I find funny is that many people think of yoga as a relaxing activity. While one of the benefits post class is having a much more relaxed outlook, the class itself is anything but! It definitely can be relaxing in some types of yoga, especially during the savasana (relaxing pose/dead man pose), but to you people that think that for all yoga I say - you have never been to a Power Vinyasa or Bikram class! And, you have never met the people in my class! They are taught, trim and terrific. Clear skin, tight abs, fit fit fit... and most of them do yoga as their only form of exercise.
My yoga of choice is Bikram Yoga. I have been doing it for around 3 years & love it. I do other types of yoga sometimes and I do some yoga at home to mix things up a bit but I always go back to the Bikram studio. For those that don't know much about Bikram Yoga, it is yoga that is practiced in a room heated to 40'c with around 40% humidity (so you basically sweat your ass off throughout the whole class, literally, you are dripping wet by the end of class).
Before I started Bikram yoga I had chronic migraines. I had a migraine or headache 3 weeks out of every month. I took pain killers every day just to get through work and would come home tired and grumpy and would want to go to sleep because I felt so terrible. I have suffered migraines since I was a child and have tried so many things to get rid of them. Some of these include - going to the optometrist, he said it was my eyes, so I got glasses. Then I tried the osteopath, he said it was my back that needed cracking. Then off I went to the masseuse, it apparently was knots in my neck. I then tried an acupuncturist, she said it was the heat in my liver. Went to the doctor, he said it was food allergies, I had to eliminate certain foods to see what it was (it was nothing).... Then, I started Bikram Yoga... Went again, and again... Slowly I could feel my whole body opening up in a way I had never felt before. I worked on strengthening and lengthening my spine, worked on opening my back and after a couple of months my migraines started to subside, now I actually can't remember the last time I had a migraine (touch wood). I have had a little headache but nothing like the debilitating pain I used to feel. It could be that through practicing yoga all of the above reasons for my migraines disappeared... It could be that I just needed to move my body in a new way.
There are so many benefits to yoga.. I personally think that Bikram yoga is especially beneficial because of the heat as you are sweating out all of the toxins that are in your body. Naturally you begin to eat better as you crave better foods.
Some other benefits are increased flexibility (thanks to the heat you can stretch so much more), increased muscle tone, ability to sleep better, clearer skin, reduced stress (my husband can attest to this, I am so much happier now!) and improved concentration. Through certain postures you stimulate the thyroid gland (which is important to help prevent weight gain and also to keep the thyroid healthy) & the pituitary gland which helps to keep you looking young! It prevents illness (I haven't been really sick in ages, I actually can't remember the last time I was sick... maybe a couple of years - where is that wood again?), I am sure this is because I sweat out all the toxins. At the first signs of getting the sniffles I get myself to a Bikram class and get it all out of my system.
There are so many more benefits such as treating depression, arthritis and back problems but these are the ones that I have personally felt. It is such a great style of yoga for beginners and advanced.. There are people aged between 16 years old -70+ in my class so there are no excuses that you are too old to start!
Ever wonder why people that do yoga seem happier? That is because they are! During yoga, the hormone oxytocin is released (the same hormone released when you cuddle someone).
Another part of yoga that I love is the confidence it gives you. I (like most other women) suffer from insecurities with my body. What yoga has taught me is that we are all unique and should embrace and be grateful for the body and life we were given. If you have been to a Bikram class you will notice that the yogi's don't wear much... Just a crop top and bike pants..or sometimes a man up the front will be wearing a nice colourful pair of budgy smugglers. At first I thought, oh my goodness I could never wear that! I used to wear a massive baggy top and full length tights and would stand up the back so no one could see me. As you will quickly learn, it is way too hot to be wearing so many clothes so eventually mine matched the other yogis (not the budgy smugglers - that would be weird). This is because now I have realised that no one cares what I wear, and if they do - I don't care what they think! Everyone is at yoga to improve themselves, not to concentrate on other people. I am happy with the body I was given because I have learnt to be grateful to have one that is healthy, happy and able to do what I want it to do.
Yoga teaches you patience and discipline. It builds on endurance and there is never any finality, you can always get better and better. The body is an amazing thing and what it can do if you apply yourself is incredible.
It is a complete mind and body exercise, the stronger your mind the better your yoga will be. The more you strengthen your mind at yoga, the stronger it will be outside of the yoga room at home or work.
I could go on forever about how great it will make you feel once you start but you will never know unless you try it yourself... So go on.. Let me know how you go! Give yourself at least 5 classes before you judge whether you like it or not, it will be hard - very hard at first! But it will get better! And you will feel amazing!
Here is a list of other top reasons to give yoga a go http://www.ageology.com/blog/top-25-reasons-do-yoga-hormonal-health
Namaste :)
Bee xx
images sourced from www.bikramyogacapalaba.com.au
Sunday 7 July 2013
RECIPE | RAW Nutty Bliss Rolls
Another super easy recipe that takes around 10 minutes in total to make!
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon unhulled tahini
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 tablespoon raw cacao
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 cup activated nuts (I used walnuts & almonds)
1/2 cup sultanas
7 medjool dates
Directions:
Mix nuts in food processor until fine
Add all other ingredients to food processor, you can add a teaspoon of filtered water if you think it needs it
Once all combined, shape into little rolls and you can coat it in anything you like, I used almonds for some and coconut for the others
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It made 10 rolls :)
Enjoy!
Bee xx
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon unhulled tahini
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 tablespoon raw cacao
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 cup activated nuts (I used walnuts & almonds)
1/2 cup sultanas
7 medjool dates
Directions:
Mix nuts in food processor until fine
Add all other ingredients to food processor, you can add a teaspoon of filtered water if you think it needs it
Once all combined, shape into little rolls and you can coat it in anything you like, I used almonds for some and coconut for the others
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It made 10 rolls :)
Enjoy!
Bee xx
RECIPE | Banana, Date, Walnut, Chia & Spelt Loaf (Dairy & Refined Sugar Free)
I made this recipe with my little boy yesterday. He did most of the work! It is a great recipe to make with kids as there are no fancy mixers needed - just a couple of bowls & a whisk are the only utensils you need!
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cup organic spelt flour
1 teaspoon bicarb soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 cup roasted (or activated) nuts, I used walnuts
1 cup pitted dates
3/4 cup raw organic honey
2 eggs
1 tablespoon chia seeds (mixed with 1 tablespoon water to allow to swell)
1/2 cup coconut or olive oil
3 very ripe bananas (must be ripe or loaf will be dry)
1 teaspoon organic vanilla extract
Any seeds you have on hand to sprinkle on top (I used pepitas)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 170'c
Grease and flour a loaf tin & set aside
Mix all dry ingredients together with a whisk, then add nuts and dates and whisk to combine
Whisk all wet (honey, eggs, vanilla, chia seeds) ingredients together
Mix in banana
Once combined add wet ingredients to dry ingredients
Pour mixture into prepared tin and top with seeds
Bake for around 45mins
I often make this and slice in to thick pieces and wrap them individually to freeze. They freeze really well and you can take them out when you need them. It keeps well in the fridge for about a week. I think it tastes better after it has been in the fridge for a day or so.
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Enjoy!
Bee xx
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cup organic spelt flour
1 teaspoon bicarb soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 cup roasted (or activated) nuts, I used walnuts
1 cup pitted dates
3/4 cup raw organic honey
2 eggs
1 tablespoon chia seeds (mixed with 1 tablespoon water to allow to swell)
1/2 cup coconut or olive oil
3 very ripe bananas (must be ripe or loaf will be dry)
1 teaspoon organic vanilla extract
Any seeds you have on hand to sprinkle on top (I used pepitas)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 170'c
Grease and flour a loaf tin & set aside
Mix all dry ingredients together with a whisk, then add nuts and dates and whisk to combine
Whisk all wet (honey, eggs, vanilla, chia seeds) ingredients together
Mix in banana
Once combined add wet ingredients to dry ingredients
Pour mixture into prepared tin and top with seeds
Bake for around 45mins
I often make this and slice in to thick pieces and wrap them individually to freeze. They freeze really well and you can take them out when you need them. It keeps well in the fridge for about a week. I think it tastes better after it has been in the fridge for a day or so.
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Enjoy!
Bee xx
Thursday 4 July 2013
RECIPE | Tamara's Glowing Goddess Smoothie
One of my dear friends Tamara (Awareness Facilitator - Energy Healer at FLOW www.flowangel.com) has given me one of her super smoothie recipes to share with you!
Ingredients:
1 cup of rice milk
1 banana
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 tablespoon bee pollen
1 scoop sun warrior brown rice protein powder
Blend together & enjoy! Yum!
Share with me your favourite smoothie recipe :)
Bee xx
Wednesday 3 July 2013
The Easiest Way to Have a Positve Life
The easiest way to create a positive life is to surround yourself with positive people!
Have you ever had a conversation with someone - friend, colleague, family member where you left feeling completely drained? You know those people that only have negative things to say and talk about other people in a negative way? These people feed off negativity and they bring other people into it because that is the only way they can get their energy! These relationships are noticeably draining. There are other times when the person isn't so outwardly negative but the relationship you have with them often feels artificial, difficult and heavy and leaves you tired and wiped out and much worse than before you met up with them. This happens because the friendship is not nourishing you. For whatever reason, that person is not good for you and they are not giving you any positive energy. If you feel like a friendship is strained and forced then that is a good sign that it's not working for you! It probably isn't working for them either!
I consider myself so lucky. I have the most beautiful friendships that are all special to me. Many of my friends I have known since school (some even since primary school!) and we have been close ever since. One of my best friends and I found each other in year 7 when I asked her "do you want to be my best friend?" such a dork, but who cares, we have been there for each other ever since! It is so nice to have people you can talk to, get motivated by, laugh with, cry with and know that each other will be there for one another no matter what.
Over time the friendships that have nourished me I have subconsciously and consciously nurtured, and been drawn towards and the friendships that left me feeling depleted of energy just kind of faded away over the years. Every time I meet up with a girlfriend, even if it is just for a quick tea or walk in the park, I feel like I get a buzz from meeting up with them and we feel good energy bouncing off one another. This is when you know that the person should be in your life! New friendships that I have made recently have been with gorgeous people that radiate happiness and have an enthusiasm for life that I am drawn towards. Happiness is contagious and surrounding yourself with motivated, life loving, happy vibe giving people will soon catch on to you and won't be able to be anything but that!
Next time you feel drained after seeing someone, ask yourself "is this relationship nourishing me?" and if the answer is no then maybe you should spend more time focusing on the relationships that do.
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Bee xx
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