Costa Rica- Yoga with Sanga Retreats

Ola from Costa Rica!

As some of you know, I've been on a 7 night/8 day yoga retreat with Sanga Retreats since last week. It is now coming to a close and as sad as that is; I am so happy and content to have taken part in this experience.

I feel I have improved my yoga practice. I have certainly learned more yoga postures and I have relaxed; even though the relaxation part has only fully come to light in the last couple of days.

In this moment I am sitting at a wooden table and chairs in the restaurant/bar area of hotel Pelicano, directly facing the beach, feeling the ocean air on my face and in my hair and listening to nothing other than the crash of waves as they roll in onto the beach. Could there be anything more relaxing??

Our days here have been filled with morning power yoga on the deck facing the ocean. This class leaves us all dripping with sweat. The teacher is amazing and makes her self available for questions

and one-on-one sessions when and if we need. I have learned and boosted my confidence in my practice so much just by being here and learning from her. On this particular retreat, there is only a small group of us so we have really been asking lots of questions, learning new postures and taking advantage of getting in as much yoga as possible.

The remainder of the day I use as free time to do as I please. There are lots of options here and we have gone zip-lining, white-water rafting, my husband has taken 2 surf lessons, shopping, watching a surf competition, walks on the beach in search of treasures, runs on the beach for added exercise or just relaxing and laying at the beach. The chocolate beach here is completely peaceful, tranquil with hardly a person. It is the perfect retreat. The perfect getaway. A once in a lifetime experience that I would recommend to anyone.

And don't be worried about your yoga abilities, the retreat is open to any and all levels from beginners to the more advanced so don't feel intimidated if you are new. My husband had only taken 3-4 classes before he came and he is still not overly flexible but does feel a difference and also feels that what he has done and learned will help with his hockey.

There is a restorative evening yoga class as well. I found this one hard to get into at first because it is more tranquil and meditative. I have a hard time staying still and relaxing but in the last couple of classes I have certainly gotten better at it.

I wake every morning since I have been here at 6:30am and start my day either seated here or at the beach with my coffee before class. I have not felt drained or tired in the last week and the food--wow! Sanga Retreats had a special menu developed that includes all healthy meals with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. The vegetables and fruit taste so fresh, fruit smoothies are made fresh with each meal and my favourite so far; fresh pineapple and banana. Delicious! Personally the only thing I would change about the food would be the breakfast; it could use a little something extra. Oatmeal, maybe??

In closing, the retreat has been exactly what I needed at this time; what my husband and I both needed. We have a lot of stress right now with our jobs and deciding what it is exactly that we want to do with the future. Have we made any concrete decisions? Not really but we have both determined that we need a change. Mine lies heavily in the fitness industry; I just have to complete my certifications and go for it. My interest in yoga has also highly increased by being here and I may just look into getting certified to teach as well one day soon.

Until next time,
Pura Vida!!

Leg Workout = Sore Booty

Looking for leg training ideas?

Here is one of my leg training sessions from last week:

Hack squats x 4 sets of 20
Barbell squats x 4 sets of 20 superset with weighted walking lunges x 4 sets of 20
Overhead squats x 4 sets of 15
Calf raises x 4 sets of 20

I had a sore booty for sure but I love that feeling :)

Until next time,

Juicing

I've started back into juicing this weekend as a way to get all my macros and vitamins. My husband has been feeling sluggish and sort of like he is coming down with a flu so what better way to make sure you are getting loads of vitamins than with natural, healthy, juicy fruit and veggies.

As you all know, when I first started down the road to metabolic recovery (an ongoing process still), I was juicing 3-4 times a day to ensure that I was fueling my body with the proper nutrients but also because at that time food was not my favourite thing. I mean I didn't give up eating but I was just enjoying my juices and shakes much more than anything else at the time.

Juicing came up again this week when I saw some posts on facebook of friends who were doing it and I got inspired to pick up where I left off. My husband and I started today with 2 juice and will continue for the next 3 days until we leave to go away on vacation.

Today's recipe:
3-4 sticks of kale
3-4 sticks of romaine lettuce
1 lemon
1 apple
1 celery stick
3-4 sprigs of Cilantro

What do you think of juicing? Have you ever tried it? Share your recipes  :)

Until next time,

FitGirlsRock Exciting Features and Ambassador Programs

FitGirlsRock seems to be growing and becoming more recognized :)

I am so happy to be a part of some great, inpiring and motivating communities.

Pro Staff at Lift like a girl http://www.fytnessfanatik.com
Sweat Pink ambassador http://www.fitapproach.com
Swirl Gear http://www.swirlgear.com/
Girls Gone Sporty http://www.girlsgonesporty.com
FitMark http://fitmarkbags.com/
Sisters in Shape http://www.sisinshape.com
ECTDS http://ectds.com.au/
Train Dirty Fitness, celebrating it's 1st birthday today http://www.traindirtyfitness.com

Also, Just this week I became an ambassador for 'Strong Figure'. Strong Figure’s mission is to provide a place to inspire, educate, and entertain those interested in nutrition and fitness. We are passionate about helping people–especially people who may have battled with various fitness and dieting struggles, or for those just looking for new ways to reach their goals.

http://strongfigure.com/ambassadors/

and for 'This Girl Lifts' as well. This Girl Lifts is a community made up of many women from around the world who pride themselves in fitness and nutrition. It is a strong belief that women should not lift weights but we are here to prove that concept wrong. 

http://www.thisgirllifts.com/ambassadors.html

I was also featured on 'The Feel Better Community' :)

http://ca.hypervibe.com/blog/meet-our-october-feel-better-community-partners-canada/

As you can see there are lots of exciting and wonderful things happening :)

Until next time;