Archive for October, 2008

 

Skins - ICE vs Sport

October 23, 2008 at 2:27 pm in Yoga Gear | Please subscribe!

Some exciting news to report:

You may remember my post, “I’m just not ready for marble smugglers” in the search to find suitable yoga wear to replace my old bike shorts. During research, I read some interesting info about Skins and their BioAcceleration Technology.

Basically, it’s body moulded, compression clothing that helps you reduce fatigue and muscle soreness while aiding faster recovery.

Impressive reading, so I sent off a quick email to Skins asking if they could recommend a product, suitable for the high heat environment of Bikram Yoga.

I received a call the next day! Although they had not conducted any product testing in a controlled 40 deg Celcius heated room or similar environment they offered me the opportunity to test their Skins ICE half tights and short sleeve top (free of charge) and provide some constructive feedback.

I was curious to find out how the Skins sport range would also perform so I offered to trial both the Skins ICE and Sport to see if they are suitable.

I usually just wear bottoms, so why a top?

Good question. It’s so hot I’m not sure I want to wear anything on top and to tell the truth, I feel a little self conscious wearing a high tech, full Lycra get up. But if I’m going to test something, I want to do it properly - even if I invoke a few chuckles along the way!

Plus, Skins claim to “focus muscle power and dramatically reduce muscle vibration”. I’m curious to test this out, for example, in some postures, especially Triangle, my muscles sometimes shake uncontrollably as I stretch my arms apart. If Skins help, then I may be able to focus on taking my posture deeper rather than fighting to control it.

Products under test:

Skins ICE half tights, short sleeve top.

Skins Sport half tights, short sleeve CROM top.

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I’ll be testing Skins over the next month and will let you know how they perform. If you have any experience with Skins and Bikram Yoga, I’d be very interested to hear your story.

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Posted in Yoga Gear | 2 Comments »

 

Heating up my ACT

October 15, 2008 at 3:47 pm in Everyday | Please subscribe!

A call to the southern state (Australian Capital Territory) for duty as an uncle and the opportunity to put my body through its paces - Bikram Yoga, mountain biking and bunch rides with a few Crossfit training sessions thrown in.

No Bikram Yoga in Canberra, I hear you mutter? Well luck has it my good friends, Nick and Ally have recently relocated here. Ally, an accredited Bikram teacher, is in the process of setting up a mini studio in her house for personal practice and private instruction. If you think a standard Bikram Yoga class is powerful, try a “one on one” workshop!

As Ally guided me through each posture, I wondered… was there sacred, unspoken wisdom behind the standard dialogue that would open up my body for the perfect Standing Bow? Alas it was not so, my Standing Bow may as well be called knotted plank pose.

Ally working itHowever, a “one on one” gives you the opportunity to pause and ask questions, expose your weaknesses, harness your strengths and take your postures to the next level. With subtleties fleshed out, tweaked and put into muscle memory, I floated out the door, stress and futility replaced by happiness and contentment.

I really didn’t think I’d have that much fun in Canberra but a great time was had with family and friends. Bunch rides (road cycling) with my brother, Mick and mountain biking and Crossfit training with Nick.

It was action packed and I definitely worked my body, but I still rate Bikram Yoga as the perfect all rounder. Strength, stretching, alignment and mind/body control rolled into one.

If you’re in Canberra and would like an introduction to Bikram, let me know and I will refer you to Ally, whose studio will hopefully be up and running soon.

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Posted in Everyday | 30 Comments »

 

Get Ripped, Get Pumped, Get on the Juice!

October 11, 2008 at 12:25 am in On The Street | Please subscribe!

So what is Juice PLUS+® ?

I’ve been looking for a whole food based nutritional product to take with me on my journey for some time. I want to make sure I stay in top physical health while I’m away, putting myself through 12 continuous 30 day challenges!

We all know how hard it can be trying to get the recommended fruit and veg intake in our normal daily lives let alone while travelling. Don’t get me wrong I eat very well and I rarely eat junk/fast food. But am I eating enough of the good stuff?

Juice PLUS+® was referred to me by my brother, Mick. He and his family have been on Juice PLUS+® for about 2 years and he swears by it.

When Mick asked me, “Hey Matt are you eating enough fruit and veg?” I replied, “I’m a vegetarian, what else do you think I eat?!” After a bout of flu and feeling run down working long hours, I started to really think about it, well maybe I don’t eat the recommended intake every day.

Juice PLUS+® is simply, “The next best thing to fruit and vegetables”.

Why do I have a banner ad on my site?

I am an Independent Virtual Franchisee. If you click on the banner ad, it will take you to my Juice PLUS+® website. It’s a well presented site and a great read about Healthy Eating and The Science of Juice PLUS+®.

Sales generated through my site will help fund my journey and hopefully enable me to do more trips like this in the future.

I definitely feel I’m onto a winner here. I feel healthier, more alert and I’m able to bounce back quicker after surfing, cycling, workouts and Bikram Yoga.

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Posted in On The Street | No Comments »

 

I’m just not ready for marble smugglers!

October 2, 2008 at 2:45 pm in Yoga Gear | Please subscribe!

I started practising Bikram Yoga in my surfing boardies. I definitely wasn’t comfortable rocking up in marble smugglers (Speedo style costume) and I really didn’t own anything else. It wasn’t long before I was feeling restricted in my postures. Yes my board shorts are baggy but when they get soaked, they cling to you and hinder fluid movement, especially when getting down to some serious triangle action.

I self consciously started wearing my old bike knicks to give me the freedom of movement. They do the job pretty well, especially when I can ride to class and go straight in, although riding home in soaking knicks in winter really wasn’t that enjoyable. I also get some strange looks as bike knicks can be pretty lairy!

So I’m on the search for yoga wear to give me freedom of movement, is light, easily washable, looks decent and will last the distance.

Before the comments start, NO I will not do the rabbit in the Borat mankini!

Is there a superior product on the market for us yogis? Stay tuned and I’ll see what I can find…

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Posted in Yoga Gear | 2 Comments »