Go Green!

Ever struggle to fit in your '5 a day'?

Green Smoothies and Juices are an amazing way to strengthen your immune system, assist your digestive organs, improve your circulation, purify your body and fulfil your cravings when you're feeling low on energy. They're fantastic as a snack, breakfast or an anytime treat!

'Greens' are jam-packed with micronutrients, fiber, iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium and vitamins.


When they enter your digestive tract in liquified form your body benefits from maximum absorbtion of nutrients. That's why juicing and smoothies are such a great option. Plus how good is the taste?! Yum!

For a super speedy energy boost and a quick and easy way to refuel, grab your blender and give this a try:

*1 banana (preferably frozen, if not add 3-5 ice cubes to keep your drink nice and chilled)
*3/4 cup skim milk
*100g spinach
*2 dessert spoons natural yoghurt
*2 tablespoons organic honey

The 'greens' can come in many forms including kale, spirulina, celery, parsley, coz lettuce, coriander, mint, cucumber and many more!

To take it all a step further, you've probably noticed with this hot summer weather we've been having fruit and veges are ripening at a rapid pace. Rather than turfing food you don't have a chance to eat, slice up your over-ripe bananas, kiwi fruits, peaches, strawberries, mangos and anything else lingering in the bottom draw of your fridge and pop them into tupperware containers in your freezer.



Then the next time you're in need of a quick fresh fix, open up the freezer and get creative.

A few awesome extras to keep in the pantry and mix in with any future smoothies include:

*Flax or chia seeds
*Unsweetened almond milk
*Unhulled tahini paste
*Rolled oats
*Natural bircher musli
*Soy yogurt
*Coconut water
*Cinnamon
*Flaxseed meal

If you can think of others I haven't mentioned let me know! I love to try new ideas and hope reading this inspires you to do the same.

Happy blending! xoxo

Tabata Training Method

Tabata Pro 

Ever heard of Tabata training?!?

I'm constantly learning new tips and fun facts about the fitness industry through my Personal Training course at the Australian Institute of Fitness. The latest and greatest training method I've learned about that I'm keen to share with my readers is Tabata!

Tabata is a form of high intensity interval training that was developed by Japanese scientists who were conducting studies on athletes.

They compared athletes that were doing moderate vs high intensity interval training. They found that even though the group of athletes doing high intensity training were actually training less often, they still achieved greater increases in BOTH their aerobic and anaerobic systems over the test period.

The basic outline of the Tabata training method explains that each Tabata session only needs to be 4 minutes long!!

Quicker results from short, speedy workouts. Sounds great right?! But do you think it sounds easy? Think again!

The 4 minute session will consist of:
* 20 seconds of intense training
* 10 seconds of rest
* Total of 8 sessions or rounds

Tabata App for iPhone

The general Tabata timing structure can be applied to any range of exercises. However, as always with fitness it's very important to develop a balanced program which contains push, pull and leg exercises, to ensure you work your body evenly.

Tabata training is short, efficient and can fit into almost any fitness program. Don't knock it until you've tried it (and trained in it!) because if you use decent weights and perform every 20 second set to your maxiumum potential you'll quickly realised it's a hectic workout!!!

Hope you enjoy your session as much as I did. Happy training!

http://tabatatraining.org

Be An Active Aussie!

HBF Run for a Reason - Perth, 2012

I really enjoyed participating in the 14km HBF Run for a Reason 2012 a few weeks ago!

8km Harry's Spring Run-Off to fight
prostate cancer - Toronto, 2011 

There are loads of awesome benefits associated with heading outdoors, getting active and enrolling in some upcoming community events. The list of positives is endless but here's a few inspiring thoughts that come to mind for me:

• The fantastic weather we've got here in sunny Australia
• The inspiring stories that motivate people to fundraise and donate
• The chance to meet and socialise with other healthy, active people
• The enthusiasm of the crowds as the count-down begins
• The noticeable Australian mate-ship at big events that encourages the crowds to pull together and support each other 
• Involvement alongside peers gives us a sense of belonging 
• Event completion leads to satisfaction and accomplishment - Aussies love getting personal bests



Bike the Drive with buddies - Chicago, 2010

• Results and healthy competition push us to reach for the stars!

About this time last year I was discussing fitness goals with friends. I remember saying how great it would be to participate in a range of 'fun runs' all around Australia. Why not do the City To Surf or City to Bay in every state? Would be a pretty cool accomplishment! I'll add it to my fitness bucket-list.

The great thing is that there will always be a range of great team events and community challenges to participate in here in Australia.

Are you getting involved in any upcoming events that I don't even know about yet? Keep me in the loop - I hope to see some of your friendly faces at awesome outdoor events in future!

I ran to raise funds for the Leukaemia Foundation in last year's
City to Surf - Perth, 2011

30 Day Detox

In the spirit of fitness and holistic healthy living I decided to go for one month without an alcoholic drink.

Enjoy a Booze-Free Month

No I'm not a massive drinker. Not these days anyway! But it's always nice to have the occasional glass of wine. Or a beer with the boys. Perhaps a G&T on a Friday night. Or a cocktail for a special occasion...

Incredible how much these things add up. Time and money alone are great incentives to cut back the social drinking. Since recently I was a little lacking on both the time and money fronts, I figured a one month detox was the perfect solution.

Quite surreal how hard you can find it to 'just say no' though. With friends, family, colleagues and pretty much all other social circles meeting regularly at the local watering hole, you realise it's the social aspect that you miss, rather than the drinks themselves. Australian pub culture lives on!

I know many who still socialise at the bar but switch out a beer for a coke or lemonade... But as far as I see it that's switching from one toxin to another. As anti-social as it may feel at first, try swapping the booze for a mineral water; soda water & fresh lime or... herbal tea? You'd be surprised how quickly your mates will get over caring about what you're drinking, they'll soon get straight back into their ongoing banter and fun conversations.

Don't get me wrong, it's good fun to go out and grab a drink with friends. But the one month detox was a great way to learn a little self-disciplin, re-prioritise and catch up with people for coffee rather than wine. Enjoyable experience and a little mini-milestone achieved, but I still believe it's no worries enjoying everything in moderation - including moderation! ;)

Education for a Firm Fitness Foundation

It's been a long time since you've seen a post from me, but fitness hasn't been far from my mind. Quite the contrary! At the start of 2012 my passion for fitness and my career path literally collided in a very exciting way. I began working at the Perth campus of the Australian Institute of Fitness.

My role as a Career Scout at the Institute involves a dynamic daily mix of business development, relationship management and building brand awareness. Interaction with local businesses and industry partners helps me further learn about the fitness world, and I'm loving becoming a part of it!

I'm the first to admit I'm a striver. I always want to do more, learn more, achieve more and be more involved in everything I do. Which is why I've already commenced my Personal Trainer / Master Trainer part time (evenings & weekend) course at the Australian Institute of Fitness. My experience of the comprehensive course so far has included both face-to-face and online learning; anatomy; physiology; communication skills; hands on experience in the gym; fitness assessments and teamwork - and that's just in the first few weeks!

Evidentially fitness something I'm interested in and passionate about. However just as importantly, completing the course at the Institute will really strengthen my understanding of the industry and empower me to do my current job to the best of my ability. At the end of the course myself and other Friends (classmates) will attain Certificate III and Certificate IV in Fitness. I'm learning new skills daily and, as the title of this post indicates, education really does create a firm foundation. I see this as a big step towards success!

The Australian Institute of Fitness is the first and largest training provider for the Australian fitness industry, and its training programs provide the most popular career pathways in the industry. To learn more about the Institute and the great range of qualifications on offer check out:
www.fitness.edu.au

Run Forrest Run!

Over the past few years I've fallen in love with running. It's an effective, free and fun activity you can do absolutely anywhere, anytime. 

In case you haven't heard, I'm a total travel junkie. Moving country and being frequently 'on the move' makes it hard to commit to just one gym or health club. So running is my drug and the easiest way to get fit fast with a transient lifestyle.

Chuck on a quality sports bra, a breathable top, decent pair of sports socks to prevent blisters. Then grab your sneakers, a hat and, for those who can't move without tunes, your iPod and you'll be ready to rumble!

I've been blessed enough to run in a number of epic locations. From the 'Rocky' steps in Philadelphia, to the canals of London, through snowy streets of Toronto, the New Jersey waterfront where I could see views of New York City, the suburbs of Santiago and parklands in Bosnia Herzegovina. But want to know the best bit? You can run right here in Perth: around Herdsman Lake, through Kings Park, along the beachfront, at Perry Lakes, through your local suburbs. The list is endless (as will be your passion for smashin' the pavement after a couple of jogs!)

Epic ocean views from the jogging path 

by Hillarys Marina

Running burns calories quickly helping you to achieve weight loss, increases your cardiovascular health, strengthens your bones, stimulates your mood and improves your coordination.

Make the most of the remaining sunny weather and exercise outdoors NOW. Release those positive endorphins, sweat out the stress. Run today, you'll smile tonight (and don't forget to stretch, or you'll feel mighty sore tomorrow!)

Sharing the Lurrrrve with Partner Yoga

'Lean on me' - partnering with Shonelle
at Lululemon Athletica

Happy Valentine's Day Peeps!

It's one of those dates that is every year, without fail,  massively controversial depending on who you talk to. Is it a holiday? A day to celebrate, buy lavish gifts and shower your special somebody with love & affection? Or is it just another cheap, tacky and commercialised holiday enforced by modern day consumerist society to make people to spend their hard-earned dollars on unnecessary possessions.

Ummm... Irrelevant debate!!!

Arguing for the sake of arguing over the meaning of a 'date' like this is COMPLETELY beside the point as far as I understand it. I see days like Valentine's day as an opportunity to smile, think about how much fun people out there are having and how deliciously happy some people in love can be! Yes sure lots of readers might hate the mushy stuff, but leave each to their own and let the loved-up people have their fun and enjoy each other's company.

In the meantime, try to enjoy your own company. That's always a good start :)

A perfect pair: Karen & Shonelle
balanced in yoga harmony

This year my warm-up to Valentine's day consisted of a very different kind of sharing. Karen Then led a beautiful 'partner yoga' class at Lululemon Athletica on February 13th.

The great thing about the class was that your partner could be absolutely anyone. The room was linked up with friends, couples and even mother-daughter combinations - all just there to help each other stretch through some new poses and enjoy a quality, relaxing practice.

It was fun to work together in balance poses and literally support a friend or partner who might be a little off balance. Today's class was yet another fun example of just how adaptable the practice of yoga can be, with or without company!

• DETAILS: Monday 13th February, 6:00-7:00pm in-store at Lululemon Athletica*
• COST: Complimentary in-store class*
• TEACHER: Karen Then
• BEST BITS: Learning that the practice of yoga doesn't need to be a solitary journey! I love sharing my practice with room full of like-minded people, but never before have I literally relied on someone else to help me through the moves. Karen's class brought a smile to all of our faces, a fun new way to share the lurrrrve.
• LULULEMON ATHLETICA PERTH CITY: *Timetable constantly changes. Check out the below link to review the monthly class calendar! http://www.lululemon.com/perth/perthcity

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Connecting with Sand, Surf and Yoga

I need to share with you my absolute favourite outdoor activity last weekend!

Stu brings yoga back to nature on the sand at City Beach

Went down to City Beach at about 8:45am on Saturday morning, wandered over the dunes and down onto the sand. There I met up with Stu Watkins and his awesome group of devoted beach yogis who hit the beach most Saturday mornings during summer (dependent on good weather) to follow his practice on the sand.

Stu's Akhanda Yoga Flow is a beautiful chance to get outside, soak up some rays and get in touch with nature. The hour long practice takes you through many traditional yoga poses as well as a few fun combinations that Stu puts together. He always saves some time for free-stylin' so you can do whatever feels natural and right in the moment. There's some additional fun times and giggles too - I've never gone to one of his classes without cracking a massive smile! :)

A gorgeous location and blissful way to start my Saturday

Amazingly enough I have known Stu since we were kids. Perth, as everyone who lives here probably realises, is quite a small and interconnected place! Stu and I both attended Coolbinia Primary school what feels like a very long time ago. But having having common background with him is irrelevant. His manner and grace with everyone he meets is so evident. People gravitate to him and appreciate his calm nature and friendly smile. These beautiful attributes shine through in the way he leads his practice - sharing a soulful message with those who practice in a way which offers thought provoking ideas, fitness and fun!

AKHANDA & VINYASA ASANA YOGA FLOW: Stu's classes incorporate two adaptable styles of yoga and cater to people with all levels of experience. He has taught and practiced all over the globe and travelled to the Himalayas in India to study Akhanda Yoga with its founder, Yogi Vishvketu. Stu is a holistic life coach as well as fitness trainer so you will notice his classes combine the ancient teachings of yoga with the application of modern Western philosophies. The end result is an awesome and effective experience which leaves you feeling inspired and focused on health, well being and balance.

Check below for more info...

• DETAILS: Saturday morning, 9:00-10:00am. On the sand at City Beach (drive along West Coast Highway
• COST: This blissful session is what you make it and you get to pay what you wish to attend
• TEACHER: Stu Watkins
• STU'S WEBSITE: www.stuartbwatkins.com

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Pilates Strength & Stamina

Hadn't planned to hit a fitness studio today but was visiting a friend Bayswater and happened to drive past the WA Pilates Studio. Parked the car to take a better look and realised they had a Strength & Stamina pilates class starting at 5:45pm. Was an opportunity too good to pass up!

Really pleased to have the chance to check out studios on the 'far side' of town. Living up in Sorrento has meant I often visit studios in the northern suburbs. But obviously this is a blog about Perth and I'm keen to get out and hit classes across the city. And want to keep my readers happy! If you know any cool classes, anywhere in Perth, that you think I should visit let me know and I'll join you for a workout :)

Phil led this 45 minute session at a steady and consistent pace. It was really great to attend a pilates class led by a male instructor. There was a lot of initial focus on stretching and moving your body through the postures which gradually built up into stronger and longer exercises. The title of this class 'Strength and Stamina' was spot on and definitely a great way to end a Monday!

• DETAILS: Monday evening, 5:45-6:30pm. The WA Pilates Studio, 1070 Beaufort Street, Bedford.
• COST: $15.00 per casual class
• TEACHER: Phil
• BEST BITS: This studio doesn't look like much from the outside but indoors it is lovely, fresh and clean with nice mats, large mirrors and decent equipment.
• THE WA PILATES STUDIO: www.pilateswa.com.au

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★ ★ 

Saluting the Sun at Yoga Aid

Can you think of three great reasons to start your Sunday right? I could this morning when I went down to Saw Avenue Amphitheatre in Kings Park at 8:00am to participate in the Yoga Aid Challenge 2011.

Do Yoga. Build Community. Support Charity.

Today marked the 5th annual Yoga Aid Challenge Australia. Yoga Aid is an opportunity to connect with your local yoga community at a free 2 hour outdoor yoga class. It is a unique event and is celebrated around the world. Across Australia funds were raised for three valuable charity organisations: Nelune Foundation, Sunnyfield Independence and Barnados.

Reaching up to the sky and saluting the sun!

Although the day started out looking a little overcast and cloudy we were eventually blessed with lovely sunlight peeping out through the clouds. I'm sure the yogis and yoginis in the crowd would attest that the combination of our powers and sun salutations combined brought out the sunshine. In combination with weather conditions, barometric pressure and thermodynamics of course. But who's to say our sun salutations didn't play at least a small part... ;)

Smooth transitions in the yoga flow:
downward facing dog into chataranga

Representatives from the three West Australian lululemon athletica stores were out in force dressed to impress in groove pants and sporting 'currant' tops to share our bright and exciting new season colour. We were pleased to join a number of local West Australians in the iconic Perth landmark that is Kings Park to share our energy, passion and love for yoga.

A massive thanks to everyone who joined, all who fundraised and the excellent teachers who led the group through a mind-blowing 109 sun salutations in the 2 hours from 9:00-11:00am. Hope everyone who was there enjoyed themselves but if you missed out don't worry... I look forward to seeing you next year at Yoga Aid Challenge 2012!

Good vibrations at Bikram on 11/11/11

One minute of silence at 11:00am on November 11, 2011
Lest We Forget

Apparently practicing yoga on 11/11/11 is particularly empowering as it is a date which offers particularly good vibrations. The number 11 is supposedly a power number and in numerology represents intuition, artistic genius and balance. It is also a prime number and has some special mathematical properties since when multiplied by itself it can result in a palindrome (11x11 = 121; 111111x111111 = 12345654321). People scattered across the globe are excited to be married or give birth on this date.

This may all sound very hippy to you, but at the same time.. why not just go along with it? What's wrong with opening your mind to an alternative way of thinking and giving something new a try. Isn't that what the practice of yoga is all about?

If practicality is more your thing then don't forget that November 11th is also a particularly important date in history. Remembrance Day marks the anniversary of the armistice which ended World War I (1914-1918). Australians observe a minute of silence at 11:00am in memory of those who died or suffered in armed conflict. I know a number of Australians who also use the quiet time to reflect on how grateful they are to live in such a beautiful country. Try not to wait until next November 11th to reflect and be thankful for all that you have. Lest we forget how fortunate we are.

So I woke up bright and early with, or possibly even before, the sun. Rolled through the morning motions as quick as a flash and jumped in my car to arrive at Bikram Yoga Joondalup in time for the 5:45am class. My lovely colleague joined me in the class led by Karen, an inspirational woman who radiates positive energy wherever she goes.

I have heard people joke about the 'Bikram torture chamber' and I must say practicing for 90 minutes in a sauna-like environment is definitely a challenge. However I thoroughly enjoyed the holistic workout and felt the benefits of the practice on both my body and mind throughout the rest of the day.

Read my post from 28th September 2011 to learn more about the hot, sweaty fun you can get up to at Bikram Yoga Joondalup or just check below for a few quick facts...

• DETAILS: Friday morning, 5:45-7:15am. Unit 7/200 Winton Rd, Joondalup.
• COST: $18.00 per casual class.
• TEACHER: Karen
• BRING: You'll definitely want to take a large (mat-sized) sweat towel and a large bottle of water.
• WEAR: As little as possible! You'll soon realise that body shape and size doesn't matter - everyone in every size strips down to minimal clothing in this super hot environment. Tight shorts, hot pants and suitable loose but supportive tanks are available at lululemon athletica Perth City. My personal favorites are the Let It Loose Tank and a pair of Reverse Groove Shorts. 
• BEST BITS: Your muscles warm up extremely quickly in the hot yoga studio and you use muscles you weren't even sure you possessed. Constantly moving for 1.5 hours really gets the blood flowing, builds your stamina and regulates your breathing. Don't forget to rehydrate!!!
• BIKRAM YOGA JOONDALUP WEBSITE: www.bikramyogajoondalup.com.au

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Retreat! Retreat!

And by retreat I mean vacation. And by vacation I mean, R-E-L-A-X....!!!

Sunsets over the ocean in Adelaide. Bliss!!!

I recently headed off on a plane to Adelaide for an amazing week long holiday. So many people laughed at me when I said how excited I was about going to such a small Australian city. But I think perhaps it helps to know my context...

I've lived in Perth, Santiago (Chile), London (England) and Toronto (Canada). Can also say without a doubt that I've travelled to over 35 countries and hit up some massive capital cities around the world. These include Rio DeJeniero, Paris, Rome, Dubrovnik, Lima, Mexico City, Reijakvic, Buenos Aires, Madrid, Berlin, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Quebec City and Vancouver, just to name a few. Jealous much?

It's been exotic, adventurous, incredible but at the same time a little exhausting. So to give myself a bit of down time and go exploring in the smaller and more relaxed city of Adelaide was exactly what the doctor ordered!

I took a one week time out from blogging and have been slow getting back into the swing of things. But don't worry, I've still been keeping active. My motto for the trip: Break from fitness? No way! Break from social media? Okaaaaaay...

Pilates for a Healthy Life

Revisited Healthy Life Fitness Centre to use their great facilities and massive upstairs group fitness room. This time decided to check out a pilates class. The teacher, Lisa, was very patient and dedicated effort to explaining and demonstrating each exercise and showing us what not to do. Sounds simple but very important to know because it's often easy to take a shortcut option which will not only minimize the benefit of the exercise but sometimes add additional strain or stress to weak points in the body like your neck and lower back.

Noticed a few familiar faces from the Yoga class I took at this gym a few weeks back. Great to see a few regulars who clearly love this gym and come back time and time again. Based on my experiences I'm happy to say that I'll be back again soon too!

Check below for more info...

• DETAILS: Thursday morning, 8:15am-9:15pm. Healthy Life Fitness Centre.
• COST: $17.00 per casual class
• TEACHER: Lisa
• BRING: You need to bring along your own mat, a towel to support your head, neck or knees and a water bottle.
• BEST BITS: Liked that Lisa spent time explaining the postures for the benefit of everyone in the class.
• HEALTHY LIFE FITNESS CENTRE TIMETABLE: www.healthylifefitness.com.au

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★ ★

LIVe in store session

Remember how I've told you it's hard to keep up with myself sometimes? Haha I suppose that's what happens when a person goes a million miles an hour. But as a close friend recently told me "Ginny going at any other speed just wouldn't be the real Ginny!" ;)

Fortunately I was able to attend a few exercise classes at my work this week. That's the beauty of working at a store that transforms into a fitness studio after hours. I attended a pilates class with Pippa Hutchinson, Director of LIVe Pilates. Pippa is an incredible teacher, highly motivated and has an awesome sense of humour. If you have a million dollar check she'll make sure you never let it go! Her classes are physically challenging but massively rewarding. You'll walk away sore the next day if you're not careful so be sure to stretch.

Read below for more info on this particular class and to learn more above LIVe Pilates check out my post from 26th September.

• DETAILS: Currently Wednesday evening, 6:00-7:00pm. Inside the lululemon athletica Perth City store. Shop H127, enex100. (*Please note: class schedule changes weekly. For details about future in-store class timetables check out the website link below.)
• COST: Complimentary! lululemon athletica Perth city offers a range of complimentary in-store classes each week. We love offering a venue where we can witness first-hand the Perth city community getting active and living long, healthy and fun lives.
• TODAY'S TEACHER: Pippa
• BRING: No sneakers or mat are required for Pilates since lululemon athletica provides mats. Makes it super easy for you to come along straight after work.
• BEST BITS: Pilates is a fantastic way to tone and activate deep core muscles. It builds strength and flexibility, what more could you ask for?!
• LULULEMON ATHLETICA PERTH CITY WEBSITE: www.lululemon.com/perth/perthcity

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Zumba Fitness: A party AND a workout!

Like to party? Sad when the weekend is over and think you can't dance again until next Friday night? Never fear, Zumba is here!

Simone Dodd leads an exciting and upbeat Zumba class every Monday night at Vivace Performance Company in Greenwood. I've gone a few times now and found it a fab way to kick start the week and shake those Monday blues.

She mixes up the Latin inspired soundtrack and keeps the heartbeat racing throughout the hour. Not sure if you count dancing as a workout? Trust me, you'll definitely sweat in her class.

What I love about Simone is her ability to connect with every person she meets. Her personality walks (or generally shimmies!) into a room and everyone around her smiles. The ladies who join her class at Vivace Dance Studio are a mixed range of ages, from around mid 20s to up to about 65! When she came in to teach at lululemon athletica Perth City on Tuesday night the age range was towards the younger end of the spectrum. And yes, you got that right. I joined her for back to back Zumba classes on both Monday and Tuesday this week!

No matter who she is teaching Simone manages to bring out the young, active dance spirit in everyone. Don't believe me? Try her class for yourself! You'll laugh, you'll smile, you'll Zuuuuuumba!

Check out my post from 19th September to learn more about Zumba Fitness and my first experience at Simone's class.

Read below for more info on her regular Monday night class...

• DETAILS: Monday night, 7:30-8:30pm. Vivace Performance Company. Canham Way, Greenwood.
• COST: $12.00 per class (discounts available for multi-pass purchases, first trial class is FREE!)
• TEACHER: Simone Dodd
• BRING: Wear sneakers, bring a water bottle & sweat towel and get ready to dance the night away!
• FIND ZUMBA ON FACEBOOK: Zumba Pro

Ginny's 'Finding Fitness' Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The World's Largest Pilates Class!

So great to see the Perth community getting
 active outdoors for a good cause.

On Sunday 23rd October at 9:00am I attended an awesome outdoor event: The World's Largest Pilates Class presented by LIVe Pilates at Langley Park.

The event was an amazing day with the intention of breaking the world record for the World's Largest Pilates class. Although the record wasn't broken the turnout was phenomenal and the weather held up its end of the bargain and stayed sunny. Such a great day!

Say hello to the lululemon athletica
colour coordinated team!

Funds raised from tickets sold at $35 were donated to the Sarah Gapp Cause. Sarah is a Brisbane Law Student who suffered a severe stroke weeks after her 21st birthday and had to have 60% of her cerebellum removed. Since her stroke she has been left with a condition where her mind is perfectly aware but unable to communicate with her body. She has already defied the odds and regained some speech and movement and funds will help her get the medical care she needs to hopefully learn to swallow and walk.

All participants received a gift bag and, obviously, the enjoyment of participating in an outdoor workout while supporting a worthy cause.

Our staff from lululemon athletica perth city teamed up with representatives from our Karrinyup and Cottesloe stores wearing surge colour coordinated clothes while participating in the event. We were so happy to get outside, get active and make a difference in our community.

Congratulations to Pippa and Owen Hutchinson from LIVe Pilates for putting together such a successful event. Hope you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed the workout!

Starting Saturday at Greenwood Yoga Academy

Signage outside the Greenwood Yoga Academy

Enjoyed a really relaxing start to my Saturday when I headed bright and early to the Greenwood Yoga Academy for a 9:15am yoga practice.

The class was instructed by Margaret, the Owner and Principal Yoga Teacher at Greenwood Yoga Academy, with the assistance of her colleague Eda. It was a wonderful opportunity to stretch and relax, yet still be challenged by some advanced balance poses and learn some new sequences.

I found it to be a real benefit that Eda was available to help out with the class. She continuously moved around the room giving guidance and helping attendees with their alignment while Margaret spoke and demonstrated from the front of the room.

There was a nice vibe to the class, many of whom are repeat visitors and enjoy this weekly practice to kick off their weekend. A few people told me they had been practicing yoga with Margaret for a number of years. Following the class quite a few participants headed across the road to the Wanneroo markets for coffee and invited me to join. A lovely class all around!

Check below for more info...

• DETAILS: Saturday morning, 9:15-10:45am. Greenwood Yoga Academy. Unit 2A (Ground Floor). 32 Prindiville Drive (opposite the Wanneroo markets)
• COST: $16.00 per casual class
• TEACHERS: Margaret and Eda 
• GREENWOOD YOGA ACADEMY TIMETABLE: http://www.greenwood-yogaacademy.com.au/timetable.htm

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Shaking things up at in store Belly Dancing

This evening I had the opportunity to try something really fun, new and different. Belly dancing! It was a complimentary class held for one night only at lululemon athletica perth city. Led by Carolyn Verhoef, belly dance teacher and owner of Outside The Box Organisation Solutions, the hour long class was a fun and different approach to movement which had everyone in the room smiling, shimmying and shaking. Who said exercise always had to be such a routine?!

There are so many fun and exciting elements of working at lululemon athletica perth city. For one I get to wear stretchy pants and sneakers to work, how many people are lucky enough to say that? Another great aspect of my job is in my involvement with the local community and ability to communicate with them the ease and importance of involving fitness in their every day life.

A super simple way for people who work downtown to do this is to come along and get involved in our complimentary in store classes! They currently run for one hour every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night from 6:00-7:00pm. The roster is subject to change and likely to be majorly altered in December over the busy Christmas period. But as I always say, variety is the spice of life and it's good to keep it interesting!

Check below for more info...

• DETAILS: Tuesday evening, 6:00-7:00pm. Inside the lululemon athletica Perth City store. Shop H127, enex100. 
• COST: Complimentary! The lululemon athletica perth city complimentary class schedule changes weekly. For details about future in-store class timetables check out the website link below.
• TODAY'S TEACHER: Carolyn
• BRING: If you happen to own a belly dancing coin belt this would have been a great opportunity to bring it out! The class was taken barefoot and Carolyn was generous enough to provide coin belts to a number of the attendees, which meant no other props or equipment were required. And don't worry ladies, although it is belly dancing there is no expectation to bare your midriff in class. None of us did! Just come dressed in a regular tank or t-shirt.
• BEST BITS: We got a shimmy and shake! What girl hasn't always wanted to give belly dancing a try? It was a fun experience and definitely not something I'd ever thought to do before. That's the beauty of the lululemon athletica perth city in store classes, they allow you to try something different and see if it suits you. Didn't find the class particularly strenuous but it was worthwhile putting on the bucket list I think!
• LULULEMON ATHLETICA PERTH CITY WEBSITE: www.lululemon.com/perth/perthcity

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★

Striking the balance at Qi Yoga

Following Body Pump my adrenalin was still high and the day was still young. A few weeks back my close friend Pete recommended I join him at Qi Yoga on an upcoming Monday night, so today felt like the perfect day for it.

We arrived slightly early and I had the pleasure of chatting with Fiona, the teacher and founder of Qi Yoga, prior to the class. Her dynamic energy and entrepreneurial spirit is evident immediately, both in her personality and her practice. She has developed Qi Yoga in both London and Australia and travels between the two, teaching and promoting the benefits of her training.

I thoroughly enjoyed the session which ran for just under 1.5 hours and encompassed a rigorous practice followed by a lengthy guided meditation. Found it to be a wonderful combination of body and mind, which when you read below you will understand is the actual intention of Qi Yoga.

QI YOGA is a blend of the 2 ancient healing sciences of Qi Gong and Hatha Yoga to create an enhanced practice. It harnesses your seven chakras, the energy systems of the body, through various physical postures. Tapping on the meridian lines of the body allows blood to flow freely and oxygenate all the cells. This activity, in conjunction with fluid movements and supple joints, helps to clear stagnant energy from the body. The philosophy of Qi Yoga is not affiliated with any religion or deity, it instead focuses on your own self, ancestors, soul and personal goals. It incorporates balance in the union of mind, body and soul.

• DETAILS: Monday evening, 7:00-8:15pm. Manning Hall, at the corner of Bradshaw Crescent and Jarman Avenue.
• COST: $16.00 per casual class
• TEACHER: Fiona
• BRING: Your own yoga mat. I would also recommend bringing a blanket or cozy scarf to drape over yourself for keeping warm during the guided meditation at the end of practice.
• BEST BITS: Qi Yoga was different to other yoga practices that I have attended recently, plus I had never experienced the technique of tapping the meridian lines of the body before. I really enjoyed the practice because I believe change and a challenge is always the spice of life! 
• QI YOGA: www.qiyoga.org/uk/home

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Getting pumped to start the week

Back at Fitness First this arvo after a pretty full-on day at work. Sometimes the best way to get out all the excess emotion and clear your head after a tough day is just to get into the gym and sweat it out!

It felt like an extra special treat going to Nathan's Body Pump class because he brought such a fun vibe and such positive energy into the room. Everything from singing along to the songs to cracking jokes about his recent trip to Sydney, he definitely delivered on both fitness and fun.

Try to follow the instructors advice but don't forget to listen to your body, if you're affecting your lower back be cautious and make sure you don't push your limits too early. Better to tone and strengthen than lift far beyond your comfort zone and risk doing yourself damage!

I've been to Fitness First a few times recently and have blogged about their Body Pump classes a number of times too. Be sure to read last week's post 'You've got to pump it up' from Monday October 10th for more general info on this fitness option.

Strongly suggest a class with Nathan, haven't experienced that many male group fitness instructors out there but he definitely made me smile!

• DETAILS: Monday afternoon, 4:30-5:30pm. Fitness First Perth CBD. 166 Murray Street, Perth, 6000.
• COST: $22.00 per casual class
• TEACHER: Nathan
• BRING: Water bottle and sweat towel. Also bring $3.00 in change if you want to rent a locker.
• BEST BITS: Pump is great because you have the ability to choose your own weights and adjust them for every single routine and muscle group that you work.
• FITNESS FIRST PERTH CBD TIMETABLE: www.fitnessfirst.com.au/clubs/timetable

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★ ★