Fabulous Fridays - The trick is in the layers

Whether you are out for a run or doing pilates at Newport Yoga, how you dress can play a big role in how you feel and look while you are exercising. And when it comes to fabric technology ... well, we have come a long ways. I think the trick is in the layers.

Fabrics that are breathable and don't trap the sweat inside are amazing as you feel refreshed, don't have to count on products to mask the sweat, and who knows maybe you could even hug a friend as you leave the studio and not be worried about your sweat.

Aside from the type of fabric, the cut is also important. Something snug or something loose? This really depends on what type of activity you are performing.

Lastly, is where the layers come in. It's always a good idea to have a second layer to wear before you leave the studio and venture into the cold weather. If you are running, as your body temperature changes, you will be able to shed or add layers accordingly.

If you dress in layers you will always be comfortable no matter what type of activity or weather conditions you are in the midst of.

Newport Yoga provides a variety of layers from hoodies to bamboo t-shirts. So if you have no time for shopping, why not shop and exercise at the same time?

Because life isn't sunny all the time

Koodo mobile advertisements are anything but "exercise fashion", even though leg warmers are slowly creeping up in stores. And Jane Fonda might have exercised with hair spray, colourful outfits, and make-up, but we are not always exercising in a studio, and life isn't sunny all the time.

So what to do when you are running outside, sweating, and on top of it all, it rains! Bad hair days are horrible enough, but to have a frizz ball on your head... well, that will need a lot of chocolate to get over.

So can you really exercise and be fashionable at the same time?

I think it's doable. In fact, now that I have achieved my running goal, relieved the stress in my shoulders, and am somewhat on the way to slowing down, my new mission is cracking the mysteries of looking good while sweating to exercise!

I will introduce a new series called Fabulous Fridays where each week I will post a tip or product that I think will help. If you have any secrets you would like to share with us, please feel free to comment.

Now.... stay tuned for a Fabulous Friday post tomorrow.

An experience in a box

The Tofino venture was more than just a trip, it got me thinking about gift giving. Last year I got the gift of high tea. It was wonderful. Time slowed down, and I felt special as I sipped tea from my fancy tea cup and enjoyed the whimsical Alice in Wonderland decor.

This holiday season I have decided that I am also going to give the gift of an experience rather than a thing. Not only can this be a green and economical option, but it might also be a life changing gift. The high tea incident got me to find a passion: baking! It also got me to reconsider the direction my life was taking and slow down. And let's not forget my endless chocolate cravings which followed!

So why not give someone the gift of an outdoor adventure, a nice meal, or high tea. Luckily, if you can't decide Newport Yoga can help you. At Newport Yoga you can customize a holiday gift package or choose from a selection of gifts combining yoga with apparel. Come by the studio and ideate with us on your experience in a box!

Fresh air ideations

I haven't been writing lately and the reason being...

well the last two weeks I have been back to my old ways of being stuck in fast forward. In the midst of it all though I got the chance to go on the latest Mind Body Soul Xcapes (MBSX) excursion to Tofino, where ideations ensued.

When it comes to weekend hops, Tofino is really the best, as it has wonders all year round. We did some storm watching, beach walking, and hiking. But most importantly we got to breathe fresh air.

I spend more of my days indoors. And the cold weather means that the windows are closed shut. All this indoor living isn't doing much for my health. Now in Tofino where I spent most of my day outdoors, by the sea, amidst the magnificent trees that bordered around me, all I did was get fresh air. The fresh air made me sleep deeply, but also it made me think clearly. Since then I have decided to let the fresh air in.

The benefits:

According to SixWise.com "numerous studies show that spending time in nature leads to major health benefits. For instance:

1. Living in an area that gives you access to green spaces, such as trees and grass, may help you to live longer, according to a study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

2. Children with access to nature are able to better cope with stress, while those with ADHD experience a reduction in symptoms when they can get outdoors, according to a study in the American Journal of Public Health.

3. Nature can ease stress and anxiety, help you recover from surgery and illness faster and even increase your mental 'flow.'"

So open up the windows and as much as possible spend time in the outdoors. All the fresh air might lead to ideations that will surpise you!

Visualizing your way to a better yoga practice

I can change the world
With my own two hands
Make it a better place
With my own two hands
Make it a kinder place
With my own two hands
With my own
With my own two hands

Jack Johnson lyrics added summertime dreams and happy feelings while we were practicing Power Yoga this morning. And it was an intense practice!

I realized though, how powerful visualization techniques can be. Simply visualizing the energy moving through my leg deepened poses, and thinking about tearing the mat in half while doing the downward dog made it so much easier to hold the pose for longer, and facilitate the flow of energy through the body.

Maybe my two hands could change the world as Jack Johnson sings, but when it comes to the crow pose... well, they are going to need a lot of visualization to help them along. The crow pose is my biggest yoga challenge, but hopefully as I continue with my weekend Power Yoga routine, I'll be able to do it soon.

In the meantime, I'm happy that instructors provide visualizations which make poses easier. It's what's helped with my shoulders, and the ode to keeping them relaxed.

The end of daylight savings

A rainy afternoon might seem a bit gloomy at first, but I say, it's the perfect time to catch an extra hour of sleep, drink chili hot chocolate, and practice some hatha yoga.

So don't forget that the time change happens tonight, where we turn clocks one hour back.

While you are enjoying the benefits of this extra hour, The Globe and Mail warns us, as drivers, bikers, and cyclists, to take extra care while commuting. Shorter days and rainy weather conditions combine to create dangerous situations, so apply the slowness of your yoga practice to the car, and drive with care.

MIRROR, MIRROR

You have the greatest muscles of them all. But you could tone them even more with candlelight yoga.

Umm... even more?

If you don’t believe me, come to candlelight yoga next Friday. Warm, relaxing light dances through the walls of the studio from a multitude of unscented tea light candles. But don't let this ambiance fool you. A series of hatha moves work to deepen breathing, strengthen arms and legs, and improve concentration through visualization techniques.

This past Friday was the first time that I attended candlelight yoga, and after my week of running (and somewhat intense exercising) my muscles experienced the most wonderful feeling. Each pose was concentrated, creating the good feelings after a massage to merge with the accomplished feelings after a workout.

Definitely a good way to end the week, and get ready to start the weekend. And in some strange way I felt that the class got me anticipating the next run!

I'm thinking that I should start a challenge. Combining yoga, pilates and running for a period of time, and examine the results afterwards. Anyone have any suggestions? Or maybe you'd like to join me? Stay tuned for details.