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

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: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Change of Pace at The Yoga Space

I found last Wednesday's 45 minute Vinyasa yoga practice at The Yoga Space so enjoyable that I decided to head back over there today and bring my work colleague Jess with me to join in the fun!

One nice thing about yoga is the ability to share the benefits of your practice. During class you are expected to tune in to your own body and focus on your own movements. But before and after class you'll generally notice a real variety of actions and attitudes in any given studio. Some people clearly love to share, engage and interact with the people around them both pre and post-yoga. Others remain quiet and meditative before, during and after their practice. Whatever your method, it's totally cool and it's totally up to you. Just be sure to own your practice (by 'own' I mean 'make it your own!') and get out of it what you need.

Today I was seeking company, motivation and to share a practice I loved with someone who I knew would appreciate it. Bringing Jess along to this session with me was the ideal way to share the benefits of my practice in the company of a great friend!

Unfortunately Samantha informed us today that her 4:30pm session on Wednesday afternoons will no longer be running at this studio. However she will still be leading some classes at The Yoga Space, as well as in other locations too. Therefore I won't share the details of this class below (you can check out my post from last Wednesday 5th October if you're super keen) but stay tuned and I will hunt down another of Samantha's awesome classes in upcoming weeks!

• THE YOGA SPACE WEBSITE: www.yogaspace.com.au

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★