Great Canadian Fit Fest Contest

So it's winding down the first month of a new year. Where are you on your fitness goals? If fitness is something new for you and you dread going everyday, maybe it's time to check out something new!

Luckily the weekend of February 4th and 5th is the Great Canadian Fit Fest! A two day festical where people of all types can go and check out some of the latest trends in fitness and studios our city has to offer. 

Ever thought that acro yoga looks cool? Yeah they have that. Wanted to see what crossfit was all about? They have that too. Roller Derby? Sign me up! This is the perfect time to check out a few new things and Love Your Fitness.  

People have a hard time "getting into" fitness and I think it's mostly because they don't find something they love. Fitness isn't just treadmills and heavy weights. In this modern age and wonderful city there are so many things to do! 

You can head over to the Great Canadian Fit Fest Website and get 20% off your tickets using the code YEGFIT.

Want to win a weekend pass? Comment below telling me what you want to try out! For a second entry head over to my Instagram page! Contest closes February 1st.

Trusting I Am Where I Need To Be

At the end of my yoga classes I usually have a quote or a little something to say to the group about whats on my mind or some sort of self loving thought. This morning in my class at the end I said something along the lines of "trust that you are exactly what/who and where you are suppose to be in your life." The idea being that we trust all of our decisions that have lead us up to this point and our situations are a product of our own doing. Now that concept might piss you off a bit if things aren't happening exactly as you wish in the current moment. And for that I am sorry.

BUT the resolution in this thought is profound and couldn't have come to my mind on any better of a day. I've had two fairly major things come up today. Big changes that can be upsetting or disappointing. 

But today I am smiling. I actually feel the best I have in a few days. These negative situations could have ruined my day, but I'm thinking about how positively these things actually change my world. 

Today, because its the day we can actually control, maybe we all just take a moment to trust we are WHO/WHAT/WHERE we all need to be. What if we weren't worrying so much about what may be or how we could improve and we just decided to be in the moment and love it?

Love, 

Jen The Bitchin' Housewife

Self Care Sunday - "Going Dark"

"Going Dark" - As in social media free days.

I realize I've already struck panic into your body as I say "social media free". Palms are getting a bit sweaty and heart is starting to race. But what do you mean Jen? Why would I do that? And why the hell is that a self care thing?

It's a self care for many reasons.

Let's start with the fact that most social media is a time suck. It drains minutes/hours from our days with no productivity or real satisfaction. Leaving us with our to do list still unchecked and time drained from things you could have been doing otherwise. (Okay enough of the guilt trip Jen)

Next, we usually scroll through staring at people's awesome photos of girls nights, parties, new cars, kid's early development milestones, gorgeous new haircuts, abs and whatever else that makes us ourselves feel slightly inadequate/jealous in the moment. How does that serve us positively?

Finally, and I think most importantly, it consumes our thoughts. Whether we are aware of it or not. We see 500 images images of women with purple lipstick and all of a sudden it's ingrained in our minds we like purple lipstick. Seriously. That's how it works. We consume every billboard, Facebook ad and t.v commercial without even really thinking about it. (THAT is a whole other post). Taking time away from these things helps us reconnect with what it is WE like and what WE find beautiful.

Last weekend I was in a 3.5 day mediation teacher training weekend and we were told not to have our phones in the room, and suggested even restricting social media in the evenings of these days. I took it seriously and "went dark" for 3 days. I deleted Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook messenger off my phone. 

Since it was meditation teacher training, we were obviously meditating a lot and I had time to think about what it is I like and I want without interruption. I felt quite rejuventated and once I got over the habit times of picking up my phone it was quite comfortable. I realized also sometimes I was picking up my phone just to avoid certain sensations (like embarassment or awkwardness) and I had to kind of overcome those, rather then run from them.

Sooooooo this week for self care is being away from social media. Maybe a day, maybe a couple, maybe a week. Now of course I realize many people have jobs on social media, don't worry I have suggestions for you too. 

Tips on "going dark":

• Delete the apps from your phone. Not being able to see those notifications wont tempt you to look.
• Make a status. In case you know people communicate with you there. Make a status and anyone that needs your number can message you and get it. 
• Find yourself bored in a line up at the bank? Chat with the person next to you! "Hey I like your shoes" or "chilly today!" are good conversation starters. 
• For my social media managing friends. It's unlikely you can go completely "dark" BUUUUUUT you can schedule posts on certain outlets. (Which I know most of you know).
• Log in to facebook pages through the Facebook Page Manager app rather then your personal account. Be there just for the work. 
• Still find yourself scrolling through IG and "liking pictures to create relationships" for your business? Set a timer on your phone before you log in. 10 minutes you should be able to be in and out with posting your thing, a few comments and likes a long the way. This by the way, if you really need a selling point my social media peeps, is a time saving strategy, making you more productive and staying on target with the task!
• Fun bonus: keep a journal of those times you would have pulled out your phone for and did instead. Example: At a redlight (guilty), instead I sang a song at the top of my lungs. Example: Waiting outside of the school to pickup kids, instead I chatted with another mom. 

Maybe plan a time you know you can be a little slower or just say "fuck it" and pick a date. Plan how many days you are "going dark" and stick to it.

Love, 

Jen, The Bitchin' Housewife

(P.S notice I didnt add any of my FB, Tiwtter, IG or Snapchat links in the post?)

Self Care Sunday - Try A New Fitness Class

This week on my Facebook Page and Instagram I've been talking a lot about doing things outside of our comfort zones. Trying something new and bold and maybe even out of character. I even had a friend message me on Twitter about how she went out of her comfort zone and tried a hot yoga class and loved it. Maybe it's that fall air, but everyone seems to be ready to stir things up. I'm not much into astrology, but I'm sure there's  shift in some moons or something causing it! Ha ha.

So this, week's Self Care seemed fitting to be trying out a new fitness class. I will be trying to right about some local places here (leave me a comment here on on my media channels about where I should try!), but in the meantime I have a few great ideas. 

• You can head to your local gym. I personally may be so inclined to invite you to come to a World Health Club (ahem) and try a class. Or many. I love the variety from step classes, lifting classes, Zumba, yoga, spin, or kickboxing etc etc etc! 
• I also wrote this blog post about trying out a barre class at a local place called Xtend Barre, if you are wondering what that is all about. 
• At your local community league you might find Yoga, Zumba or Tai Chi. 
• Call up a martial arts dojo and inquire about a drop in class.
• Check out a Cycle Studio.
• Maybe try out a dance class!

Whatever you are thinking about trying, or have always wondered about, just try it this week. Jump with both feet in. Many places offer free classes for the first time or a special weekly drop in rate for first timers. 

To help maybe ease the anxiety, see if a friend or family member want to go with you. I bet you more people than you think have been wondering what pole workouts are all about. 

Also.... let's think about using wording like "I need more practice" and "this is a new way to move my body" then the usual things that come out of our mouths like "I suck at this" or "I'm out of shape". It's self love people, not a new way of finding self hate. We get enough of that, don't ya think?

Definitely come back and tell me how it went! Send me a message on my FB, Twitter or IG! I'd love to hear how you took a step outside of your comfort zone. 

Love,

Jen The Bitchin' Housewife

Self Care Sunday - Do Some Yoga

Alright, I'm a yoga teacher, what kind of yoga teacher/blogger combo would I be if I didn't suggest a yoga class?

This week I want you to set aside some time for yoga. I'll give you a few options of types of classes and where to get this yoga in. Don't worry, there is so many great options to make it easy to fit this in.

First I want to talk about the hurdle of trying yoga. Many people are a bit shy about taking yoga class because "I'm not flexible enough", "yogis are skinny and I'm not", "I'm worried it will be all religious." Well.......... that's why you go to yoga, any body is a yoga body and it's not religious and you NEVER have to do something you don't want to. Okay I cleared that up let's move on. 

There is I'm sure a million different types of classes really but here is some basics:

• Flow - Usually a faster paced style, you'll likely get a bit of sweat going on. Syncing of breath and moving so you are focusings on each inhale and exhale as you move. 
• Hatha - Usually a bit slower, holding poses a bit longer. Also here will likely get a sweat going, because of holding poses a bit longer. Typically there is a focus on holding a posture on one side, then the other before moving on to the next pose. 
• Yin - Holding poses for extended periods of time, but with props and backed off versions. Can be a bit tough but also relaxing. I personally find this one can also be difficult, since the you are holding poses so long your monkey mind starts to wander and it's hard to bring it back in. 
• Restorative - Holding poses for extended periods of time, completely supported. Your body is doing no work to hold you in a posture. This one is about relaxing and calming the body. As with Yin, can be a bit to train the brain to stay on the breath and in the room. 

Now we know a little bit of the style we are looking for, where do we find a class?

• Studios/gyms - The first obvious answer. Check your local area for a studio. Many of them offer introductory rates for unlimited passes in a week. It's good to try out a few different styles and get an idea of what you like. The gym you have a membership to, may also host classes. 
• Community halls - May yoga teachers rent out halls in their communities to run classes. If you are a newbie these are wonderful because you are meeting the people of your community and the setting is a little less intimidating. Check with your local hall or neighbourhoods close by.
• Online - It's wonderful to live in a world where we can find just about anything online and usually for free or inexpensive. You can just google "online yoga class" and tons will show up. You can check out Gaia.com for some great online videos,  DoYogaWithMe.com has a great beginners section and you can also check out Youtube, I'm personally a fan of Empowered Yoga of course. The great thing about online is you can even searched based off what you are looking for. Finding things such as yoga for hips, shoulders, breathing, anxiety and so on. 

And finally the basics of what you might need:

• Water bottle
• Athletic wear
• Yoga Mat
• Open heart/mind ready for self love

So tell me, what kind of yoga are you going to do this week?

Love,

Jen

The Emotional Lesson I Learned From My 4 year Old

Yesterday morning we dropped off my husband at the airport to head out to work. He is usually home for 10 days and gone for 3 weeks. This has been the schedule for a while. Or something similar since well before either of the kids were born. 

Well, yesterday morning (like at least half of Daddy drop off days) my 4 year old started crying. Intensely. Tears streaming down her face, pout to her lip and all. She was sad Daddy was gone. I immediately stopped the car, got out and hugged and kissed her and tried to help her feel better about seeing him soon.

20 minutes later she was fine and smiling and forgotten all about it. We usually think "Typical child, off to the next thing. Mind like a goldfish." But let me tell you I admire this. 

Last weekend I was in some Restorative Yoga Teacher Training and my teacher wrote a Ernest Hemingway quote on the board. 

"Try to learn to breathe deeply, really to taste food when you eat and when you sleep, really sleep. Try as much as possible to be wholly alive with all your might, and when you laugh, laugh like hell. And when you get angry, get good and angry. Try to be alive. You will be dead soon enough."

Well today I was angry. And I tried to suppress this anger. Not letting what was bothering me, bother me. But then I thought about my 4 year old and her tears streaming down her face. How she got sad. Good and sad, let it all flow out and then she was done. Letting it all go.

So I got mad. Good and mad. Without reacting I just got angry. I thankfully had an amazing friend there to let me do just that and listen. I got mad and then pouted a bit. Then I was able to just let it go. 

I embraced the intense emotions instead of trying to push them away, felt them and was able to move on. 

Things will upset us, that will never change. It's whether we let it eat us alive or not that matters. 

Love, 

Jen

Gymnasts and Savasana

Over the course of the summer I have had the pleasure of working with a local gymnastics company. I've been doing conditioning and yoga with their competitive girls. A few had taken a yoga class or two and that's about all the exposure they've had. 

I remember telling a few people that I was going to be teaching gymnasts yoga and the response was like, "but why, they are so flexible and strong already?". True enough but they are strong and flexible in just the things they work at. Like any person, you become skilled at what you put effort into. I was, and still am sometime baffled at the fact there are some poses they cant do or cringe at as I show them it.

But aside from their strength and flexibility, two big parts of any athletes training is mental focus and learning the ability to relax. Especially for competitive athletes. Here is where I think simple Savasana is important. This seems sort of simple doesn't it? Relaxing I mean. I sometimes think I'm the master of it with my Netflix binges. I don't think it's quiet so simple for athletes to do this. 

Bringing me back to the gymnasts, at the beginning of the summer, our first Savasana was a bit "rough". Most, if not all of the girls were fidgeting, some kept opening their eyes and looking around, and some were even still talking. Now I can completely understand the awkwardness of their first Savasana. Not to mention they are 7-12 years old. I'm pretty sure at 7 I personally had the attention span of a goldfish.  

My 4 year old can do about 30 seconds. Ha Ha. 

Some of my wording with these girls is "Lying down in Savasana, working out any last stretches, itches and scratches and finding that comfortable spot." Little more talking and as they settle down say "coming to lying completely still". Over the summer they would tell me that every time I said that they would all of a sudden have an itch again. I know. That's the point. Stay still. Let that itch be all you think of or let that stuff go. Sounds weird that you wouldn't scratch an itch right? But the itch only comes because they basically mentally created it from me saying that. Makes sense that mentally they itch it I think. Let it go. Relax.

Mental focus, or unfocus for that matter. As a competitive athlete there is a million things that can go wrong or we do wrong. This is why we practice. While learning not to point our foot that way or grab this way on the bar, we also need to learn to let go afterwards. Constantly focusing on the way we are bouncing off the board incorrectly or the "itch" is the same thing. Honor it for what it is, learn from it and let it go.  

Finally, last week was our last summer session. And before sending them off to their final weekend of summer, school starting and coming to focus on training for competition season over the fall I had them in  a 10 minute Savasana. And wow. Almost from the time they put their heads on the mat they were still and peaceful. For the full 10 minutes. To the very moment I started with "starting to slowly move the body". That's progress if I ever saw some. I mean I can't tell you what's going on in their heads, but as young, high energy athletes (that talk A LOT) seeing them still, speachless and relaxed for a full 10 minutes was amazing. My hope for them is that they be able to take that ability to relax the mind and body during high stress times, say the evenings after a day of competing. 

I'm excited to work with them through the fall and can't wait to see them grow even more. 

As an athlete, what do you do to unwind and relax from the stresses of training?

Love, 

Jen