Friday Favourites - New and Unusual Workouts

Are you tired of the same workout day after day? Here at The Amazing Blog some of us struggle to fit in a daily workout with our busy schedules. Plus, we get tired of following the same routine. In order to spice up our exercise routine and convince ourselves that working out CAN be fun, we have discovered some new and unusual workouts for everyone to try.

Yoga has become so popular nowadays that even dogs want to join in. Originating from the USA, yoga activates your pooch’s parasympathetic nervous system and can help relieve your loyal friend of his or her stress. Of course, the owner will be right there practising alongside their pups, performing a set of Hatha yoga poses while the dogs roam around and participate when they choose to. This series of yoga postures are inclined to incorporate canine massage, yogic stretches, chanting, breathing and lots of cuddles. Plus, who doesn’t want to work out with their best friend?

Mahny Djahanguiri started Dogamahny, running weekly classes in Fulham and teaching private Paw to Paw classes for all sizes, breeds and ages of dogs. If you’ve always wanted to work out with your pup, then check out Dogamahny’s website to sign up for some doga classes.

If you’re obsessed with Strictly Come Dancing like we are, then you might want to check out Swing Patrol. It’s a community of over 1,000 dancers, teachers, staff and volunteers that hold over 40 weekly classes at 34 venues across London. They put on weekly Lindy Hop and Blues social dances and they have swing balls in London and around the United Kingdom. They even host an annual London Swing Festival and a Blues Baby Blues Festival. Go online and search for classes in your area. It’s time to turn back those time machines and dance like it’s 1920!

For those of you who consider dancing at clubs your only exercise, we have the perfect workout for you. Ravercise is a HIIT cardio dance with a live DJ playing energising bass music. It’s a fun and healthy way to enjoy underground music during the week. Classes are choreographed by professional dancers and include an interval training cardio workout. Plus, you get to socialise with friends and meet people that enjoy the same music as you! Head on over to the website of this low-lit club dance floor in Shoreditch and sign up.

If you’re looking to loosen up a little bit, try Barrecore. It is a series of movements designed to stretch every muscle group in your body. Each workout targets a major muscle group, integrating the fat-burning format of interval training with static stretches for muscle relief. Using a ballet barre, your own body weight and strength training exercises, your muscles become longer, stronger, leaner and more flexible. Think of it as an intense cardio ballet class. For more information on Barrecore classes, you can look at the website and decide if you want to sign up.

With the holidays right around the corner, I think it’s time we get healthy, try something new and have fun while doing it!

CLIF Bars

No matter what activity you have planned, whether it’s just another day at work or a long exercise, you always need good food to keep your energy up throughout the day. We here at The Amazing Blog are always on the move and constantly needing a quick, filling meal. The CLIF Bar is everything you need and more, including a great taste! Their equation is simple: put good food in and get good performance out. And let’s face it, we all need good performance on a regular basis. The CLIF Bars supply working muscles with the energy they need for extended periods of activity. Although they can be eaten on a regular basis, they are really great for exercising, and in that case, they should be eaten before the exercise begins. CLIF Bars’ ingredients are wholesome. They are made with organic rolled oats and vitamins B6 and B12, which contribute to the normal release of energy. There is a high source of protein and fibre, and no fructose corn syrup, which gives you energy to be in it to your limit. The CLIF Bar is the original bar that the company made, and it still embodies what their company stands for. We loved the Oatmeal Raisin Walnut the best of all the flavours because it fulfilled our craving for sweets without the guilt we might feel for binge eating in the afternoons.

CLIF Bars are available in six different flavours, including Oatmeal Raisin Walnut, Chocolate Chip, Blueberry Crisp, Crunchy Peanut Butter, Chocolate Almond Fudge, and White Chocolate Macadamia Nut. Get your own box of 12 CLIF Bars from their UK distributor here  for £13.99.

Carrot Banana Peach

This Friday, The Amazing Blog has something a little more unusual to share with you, our lovely readers. Ever heard of food in clothing before? No, not food on your clothing, but actually in it. We think that this might be the start of a new textile trend for 2014. Carrot Banana Peach adds an interesting combination of milk and soybean fibres into the contents of their clothing collection. For this Vegetable Cashmere to be produced, the drained oils are converted to a fibre through a detailed and careful process, which keeps the inherent proteins and nutrients intact. Keeping all the essential nutrients in the fabric means that it is gentle and soft on the skin and there isn’t the chance of irritation like some people may find in other materials. This process creates a wonderfully smooth and breathable piece of clothing, which is lighter and even better than cotton and cashmere and a has the added bonus of being completely machine washable. The actual clothing is stylish and comfortable and makes a perfect yoga or Pilates wear. Carrot Banana Peach offers a unique MILKDAL fabric which incorporates Cleopatra’s bathing ritual's main ingredient, milk. Its restorative properties and the inclusion of modal to the mixture, makes MILKDAL a perfect match for those sensitive to synthetic fabrics.

The fashionable collection ranges across yoga, fitness, rhythmic and dance gear. These garments are made from banana, aloe vera, bamboo, milk and soybean. These plant fibres are all specifically chosen for their properties that create comfortable, natural and soft clothing which has flexibility,  thus ideal for stretching movements. We really like the style of the clothes and would happily use them for casual wear as well as for their sporty purpose. We like the idea of slipping these on and head straight to the sofa for some ultimate relaxation time.  Plus these natural foodie clothes offer the possibility of encouraging us to do exercise because they are so comfy and flexible! You can visit the website here to have a look at their range and everything they have to offer. Search for colours and sizes that suit you and then get your yoga cap on. Prices from £28.50.

Lunaling Capri Exercise Pants & Giveaway!

The sun has been shining brightly in London recently, which means 3 things: lathering on sunscreen, attempting to get a proper tan and getting my body beach ready. The latter is, unfortunately, easier said than done. When I was given the opportunity (or well… I actually was the only one that was willing) to trial Lunaling Capris for The Amazing Blog, I saw that as an opportunity to finally make use of my newly purchased running shoes and the start of my weekly running routine.

Lunaling exercise pants are famed to aid in weight loss and getting smoother, softer skin, which come in 3 types: Shorts, Capris and Leggings. They are made of very thick, stretchy fabric that is breathable and very comfortable to wear. The ‘technology’ behind this collection is that the pants use your natural body temperature to increase the heat around the areas where it's hard to tone up: legs, bum and tum – simply brilliant.

As I’m just in my twenties and am lucky to not have dimples on my body (yet!), I can’t say if it helped in getting smoother skin. However, for a girl that doesn’t sweat much working out normally, wearing these Capris have definitely stimulated the ‘troubled areas’ to sweat… buckets. Good thing is that even though you sweat, you won’t feel or see it through your pants because of this specially designed fabric.

Now 6 weeks later, I can say that not only have my thighs and tummy toned up a bit, I also feel more energised and awake after my morning work-out. Maybe it’s the endorphins, maybe it’s the sun – I don’t know. One thing I do know is that I’ll definitely continue using these pants when working out and it’s a no-brainer I’ll be getting the Leggings for winter.

The best bit? We've teamed up with Lunaling and are giving away 2 pairs of Lunaling Capris (worth £50 each!). The only thing you need to do is email your size (S/M/L), name, address details to info@amazingpr.co.uk. The competition will run until 19th June 2013. Worry not if you don't win – you can buy your Lunalings from their webshop (worldwide shipping), prices start from £40.

I am usually quite the workout fanatic, back in the States I would wake up every morning at 6:30am to go to the gym. Since arriving in London, I have slacked off heavily and have been gaining a few pounds here and there. So, when my housemate asked me if I wanted to join her at a Bikram Yoga class, I jumped at the opportunity. Plus, there is a beginner’s deal currently on at HOTBIKRAMYOGA located in Fulham and Balham which is just £15 for 10 consecutive days!

I had participated in yoga before, usually putting on some jogging bottoms and a T-shirt. I knew that wouldn’t be the right attire for a 44°C stale room and I got a bit nervous about what would be appropriate. I ended up wearing a swimsuit top and some leggings, but soon realized I had made the wrong decision. I soon discovered my swimsuit top was not designed to cover someone in the midst of complicated yoga positions. The leggings I wore were ones I use on a daily basis and they were a horribly hot and sticky material. As soon as I got home, I started searching the internet for yoga clothing that would also work for Bikram.

I came across Asquith London, an online yoga and Pilates clothing boutique. They specialize in the finest organic and bamboo clothing, making sure every piece is ethically produced. I called them straight away and spoke with Alice Asquith herself! She was more than willing to help me in my desperation. Not only did she tell me the best types of clothing to buy, she gave me her Top 5 Tips for yoga clothing;

Top 5 Tips for Yoga Clothing

• Loose versus fitted- It all has to do with what you prefer. When in a dynamic practice session, it is usually better to wear more fitted clothing (legging, Capri, bootleg) so the fabric is out of the way. In a gentle practice, loose fitting clothing is nice for a bit of relaxation and comfort (foldover or drawstring trousers)

• Natural Fabrics- Feeling good while practicing yoga is important. If you have a positive outlook of yourself, you will have a positive practice. Asquith’s Certified Organic and bamboo fabrics are not only great for the environment, but they also feel soft and luxurious against the skin.

• Tops- You want to be comfortable doing stretches and moving into different poses while practicing yoga. Make sure your top is long enough to cover your midriff if this is a problem area!

• Cover Ups- When going to and from yoga practice, you may want to have a cover up over your yoga clothing (I’ve noticed people in London stare if you’re in gym clothing while in public). Asquith offers super stylish wrap cardigans and funnel neck zip tops.

• Quality- If you attend yoga practice regularly, you’ll want to have a few outfits. With the sweating that happens in Bikram, you’ll have to wash these clothes constantly. You want clothing that is sustainable, that won’t bobble, fade, or shrink.

Alice explained that because the bamboo plant does not need any fertilizers and is seldom eaten by pests, it is antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-static, making it a great material for  the skin. It is also very breathable and able to change temperatures due to the micro-gaps and micro-holes that are inherent to the bamboo fibre. When it is warm, the material is naturally cool to the touch and vice versa in cooler weather.   Bamboo is a naturally durable material and can also absorb an extraordinary amount of water, which then evaporates quickly. This makes it perfect for the challenging conditions of  Bikram Yoga and I can’t wait to try it out myself!

With these tips in mind, Alice suggested the best pieces to wear for Bikram would be the Bamboo Tie Pants and a Bamboo Strappy Top.

For those of you who want to get your hands on these fabulous items from Asquith London, they are offering Amazing PR readers an exclusive offer! Just go to www.asquithlondon.com, choose your favourite items and make sure to type in AMAZING20 into the promotional code box to receive your 20% discount until May 1^st!

www.hotbikramyoga.co.uk

www.asquithlondon.com

BP