I don’t like to consume myself with technology but I do use my phone to assist me in work outs and tracking my activity.  Some people swear by using fitness and health apps on their phone to be aware of what they eat and the physical activities they do.  I think using an app can be a supplement to motivation and desire to work towards a healthy life.  I just recently downloaded a new app and am very pleased with it thus far.

Here are a three FREE fitness and health apps I have used to help reach my healthy lifestyle goals.

•    Map My Walk- I love using this app to track my daily activity levels.  It allows me to choose time and distance goals for each day and week.  It also tracks runs and bike rides with a GPS locater, showing how far, how fast, and how challenging the workout was.  There is also a feature to create challenges on existing times or distances on specific routes.


•    MINDBODY yoga- This is a great app was very useful when I first moved here and was looking for yoga classes.  This app finds studios nearby, lists classes by time, and allows students to reserve their spot.  I also love it because it gives directions to the studio so I don’t get lost.


•    Noom: Weight Loss Coach- I consider this app the all in one fitness app.  It is a personalized coach that assists in forming healthy habits through daily tasks, meal logging, and exercise tracking.  I use it to log my meals and workouts, and it also counts my steps using a pedometer.  I really like Noom because it offers encouragement and helps keep me motivated.



I believe that having a strong support system and creating goals are key in reaching health goals.  I have used these apps to help better myself physically and have seen their benefits.  Give them a try and see what they can do for you.

Have you used any health or fitness apps that have worked? Please share them with me.

Namaste,

Anita.

My partner’s spontaneous romance strikes again.  I woke up this morning to breakfast in bed and a beautiful love letter about the first time we met.  It is refreshing knowing that there are people in the world that are similar to me and share that same views.  My partner and I have been together for 6 years and each day is a new adventure.  Although, I wouldn’t call our love story a fairy tale, it’s more of a modern day realistic love.



I wasn’t looking for love or for that matter a significant other.  I was content focusing on me and doing what I bettered my mind.  I was never the little girl that dreamed about finding prince charming or a dream wedding.  I was too focused on my gymnastics growing up I just never thought about it.  I guess during college, I pictured myself living a single live, surrounded by great friends and great conversation.

One summer I decided to go on a yoga retreat to Colorado.  I was excited to be able to practice with a new group of people with positive energy.  When I got to the venue, I prepared myself and began centering my energy.  After the first session was complete, I went to a local restaurant to get some dinner.  I had just been seated when a man walked in and smiled at me like he knew me.  He walked over and sat down at my table and explained he was here for the yoga retreat as well and he was behind me during the first session.




It was a little strange he just came right up to the table, but I was excited to hear his backstory.  He told me he had practiced yoga for 10 years, had just become an instructor and was opening up a studio in the same town I am from.  It was a coincidence that we both lived in the same town and had never ran into each other.
We chatted over dinner and went for a walk after.  He was one of the most positive people I had ever met, he was so kind, and had a huge heart.  We talked all night long about our lives, our spirituality, and our views on the world.  Like I said before, I wasn’t interested in dating or being in a relationship.  I just really enjoyed his company. Throughout the retreat we went on several walks and got tea together.  We had very similar views that made it easy to talk.


Long story short, when we got back home, we continued to meet up and talk.  After about a year of casual café dates, we decided to consider ourselves “together.”  It was great because we both wanted the same thing, a best friend.  We were both okay knowing that marriage wasn’t going to be the next step but a long lasting partnership was.

Since I met him life has been great.  He challenges me to live each day to the fullest and create as much positive energy as I can.  We have a great partnership that I wouldn’t trade for the world.  I truly believe I have the best life partner.

Namaste,


Anita.

I am fortunate I get to spend my day teaching yoga classes and tending to my own needs.  Not everyone is as fortunate as I am though.  One of the frequently asked questions by my students are about ways to distress during a long day at the office.  Some of my students spend countless hours sitting at a desk staring at a computer causing tension and discomfort.  Sitting for a prolonged amount of time can lead to imbalances in your body and cause poor posture and injury down the road.



From listening to others talk about office life, it is clear that the body gets sore throughout the day from fatigue, tension, and stress.  I believe incorporating yoga and stretches into a sedative office job will make your day go by faster and leave the office not feeling so stressed.

Here are a few poses that don’t demand much time and can be done in spurts throughout the day to take time to rejuvenate.  You don’t even need to leave your cubicle to do them either.

1.    Neck Stretch- Place your right hand on your head and gently pull your head down toward your right ear.  You should feel the stretch on the left side of your neck.  Inhale and exhale for three long slow breaths.  Release and go back to center.  Then repeat on the opposite side.


2.    Seated Twist- Keep your hips evenly placed in your chair and your knees in line with another.  Inhale and place your left hand on your right knee.  As you exhale, engage the lower abdomen and twist with the upper part of your spine.  Place your right hand behind your back on the chair.  Release and go back to center.  Then repeat on the opposite side.


3.    Forward Fold with a Twist- Keep both hips embedded in your chair, hinge forward with a long spine.  Place your left fingertips to the floor underneath your left shoulder as you inhale.  Exhale slowing and twist to the right with your upper body, reaching the extended right arm towards the ceiling.  Bring your gaze up towards your right fingertips.  Release back to seated and then repeat on the opposite side.


4.    Modified downward facing dog- Stand up, hinge at your hips and lengthen your arms across your desk and press your palms downward.  Try keeping your legs straight to feel a stretch in your hamstrings, and open up your shoulders and chest.


5.    Seated Forward Bend- Keep both hips planted on your chair and your feet flat on the floor.  Interlock your fingers behind your back, bend forward and raise your arms while keeping fingers locked.  Rest your chest on your thighs and relax your neck down for 3-5 deep breaths. 



I hope these yoga poses help break up your day and keep you less stress while you are in the office.  Keep your mind, body, and spirit intact throughout your day.

Namaste.

I often get emails and phone calls from people who want to begin taking my class asking what to wear.  This morning after teaching my yoga class I stopped by a few stores to pick up new yoga clothes and I figured the topic of yoga apparel would be a great post to share.

My suggestion is to wear something form fitting and comfortable.  After all, you only get out of what you put in to it. 




When decided what to wear, it all depends on the yoga class and how rigorous it is going to be.  When I am doing power yoga or Bikram yoga, I sweat a lot.  I wear clothes that wick away sweat and keep me cool.  I would suggest something similar to the sweat wicking fabrics you would wear when running.

Baggy t-shirts are okay for men, but I always suggest women were a tight fitting top so that it won’t flip inside out when doing inversions.  Tucking in a baggy shirt can be dangerous and poses a risk of falling.  It is important to wear something comfortable but tight enough it won’t distract you.


It is also important that women wear a conservative tops and bottoms that aren’t see-through.  Wearing something low cut could be risky when doing inverted poses.  And wearing thin pants can give everyone a show behind you.

When purchasing clothes to practice in, there is no need to splurge on big labels.  Here are some of my favorite places to get yoga apparel:

•    Nike- I have always loved Nike for athletic clothing.  They have good quality clothing that won’t hinder your yoga experience.  They also have a new line called Nike Studio Wrap Pack, it is a footwear that helps give more traction and protection if you are having a difficult time holding poses for a long period of time. 


•    Old Navy- There are few places to buy workout clothes that are as affordable as Old Navy.  Most of their work out gear is under $30, and they also have petite, tall, and plus size options.


•    Target- Here is another store that won’t break your budget.  You will find a wide selection of tops and bottoms adequate for yoga.  The clothing often goes on sale too.


•    Nordstrom- Nordstrom sells just about everything, including workout clothes.  They offer a wide selection of brands for whatever you are looking for, at many price points.


You can find yoga and fitness apparel at plenty of stores.  I don’t wear a single brand, I wear clothes that fit and won’t hinder my practice.  It’s not necessary to go out and spend a fortune on clothes.  Find clothes that fit and feel comfortable.  Yoga isn’t about looking good, it is about feeling good and creating a healthy mind, body, and spirit. 

If you have any other questions about beginning yoga, don’t hesitate to ask.  I want to create a positive and open environment everywhere I go, including this site.

Namaste.