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Fitness Away From Home

November 21, 2017November 21, 2017 Alex CoombesLeave a comment

fitness, health, holiday, abroad, workout, personal, training, yoga, pilates, boxing, retreat

Here’s something different that you might not have heard of… “Fitness Holidays”.

Most people would separate the two concepts “holiday” and “fitness” but we like the idea of combining them, because what’s better than working out whilst working on your tan on a tropical island halfway across the world? Does the idea of escaping from the everyday working life in rainy London to the luscious Ibiza or Bali sound up your street? Well, if you’re #fit, #fun and #fantastic then this is a holiday made for you.

Spain – Fitness Training

Take a week off work and fly down to sunny southern Spain for an energising fitness programme based in a small boutique hotel. The 6 nights include healthy nutritional diets, personal training sessions, fitness classes such as pilates and yoga as well as spa treatments and other luxury options!

Return home fitter, healthier and worked out.

Bali – Fitness Boot Camp

Always fancied heading out to Southeast Asia? Here you can head off to Bali, home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, soak up the Asian sun and indulge in a fitness boot camp for just £449pp. Getting fit and healthy abroad is the perfect remedy for forgetting about your working life and busy schedule back home just for a week or two.

Eat. Sleep. Workout. Repeat.

Kenya – Go Wild In Kenya

Jet off to Kenya in Africa for a once-in-a-lifetime fitness trip. This 9-day programme strips you back to the fundamentals of health and fitness with outdoor training sessions and guidance on nutrition. You will incorporate boxing on the beach, countryside walks and running routes through local villages along with many other treats!

Get. Fit. On. Holiday.

Ibiza – [Re]treat Yourself to Yoga

Enjoy sweet-soul music whilst drinking icy cocktails in a yoga beach house. Your day will start with a morning yoga practice focusing on intense rib locks, foot positioning and spiralling your limbs and hips. Throughout the day you will have the option of meditation and silent walks as well as practising poses on the beach with a partner. You will stay in a beautiful hotel overlooking the sea which comes with a swimming pool, divine massages and bicycles to rent. Perfect for newbies, pregnant women or someone who just loves yoga!

Following your amazing fitness holiday, TruBe are here to carry on your fitness journey during your busy lifestyle. So download our app and book your sessions in advance giving you something to look forward to when you’re back.

Introducing Elisa L – Passionate Yogi

August 10, 2017November 1, 2018 Alex CoombesLeave a comment

Elisa is one of our OM-tastic new yogis! She is a dedicated Vinyasa yoga teacher who is a strong believer in smiles, positive attitude and mindful practice. She always ensures a relaxing and positive environment to practice yoga through creative and mindful sequences.

What is it you love most about teaching yoga?

The possibility to make a difference in someone’s day, maybe someone’s life. I am able to spread the joy that yoga has given me and pass on the benefits of yoga whilst helping my students to reconnect in the present moment, relax and feel energised at the same time.

How do you de-stress after a long week?

The best way to recharge is to spend time with the ones that you love, doing simple things and enjoying time together.

How do you keep on top of your fitness whilst travelling?

I keep my yoga practice with me, yoga it’s a lifestyle and I always feel much better after a good yoga class.

What’s your top tip for a yoga newbie?

Yoga for beginners may be scary because they’re worried about not being able to do certain yoga positions. It is different for everyone and you are your own master who is in control of your body and mind and the teacher is there to guide you. Being flexible or being cool in the Asana (yoga poses) is not the aim of the practice. The aim is to find your space where you feel your body lengthening, creating more space for the Prana (energy) and releasing any tightness so the Prana can flow more freely.

Favourite yoga position?

I love inversions like headstand (Salamba Sirsasana) or tripod headstand (Sirsasana 2) as they relax and energise the mind, strengthens the whole body.

Don’t forget that our TruBe trainers can come to you right in the comfort of your own home!

To book a session with Elisa, download the app and find her as one of our featured trainers.

5 Ways That Yoga Can Help Runners

March 30, 2017November 1, 2018 Alex CoombesLeave a comment

Runners have a tremendous amount to gain from adding yoga to their fitness regimes. Due to its repetitive nature, running may lead to injuries and musculoskeletal imbalances which can be uncomfortable and disrupt your day to day life. Yoga can complement the discipline of running as it can restore balance and symmetry to the body.

In particular, through Yoga, runners can improve:

FLEXIBILITY

Yoga stretches the muscles that are tight, which in turn increases the range of motion in related joints. Increased flexibility decreases stiffness, results in greater ease of movement and the reduction of aches and pains.

2. STRENGTH

Running mostly strengthens the lower body, therefore certain muscles become strong while others are underused and remain weak. A balanced yoga practice involves the entire body which allows the unused muscles to be strengthened—specifically in the arms, upper torso, abdominals, and back. Strengthening the upper body and core helps improve posture during daily activities and also while running. A strong core allows the arms and legs to move more efficiently and results in less fatigue. Additionally it allows for less weight impact on the legs which reduces the risk of injury. It is also essential for runners to strengthen the muscles in their lower body for a healthy range of motion.

3. BALANCE

Overusing some muscles while underusing others creates muscular imbalances, which affect the entire musculoskeletal balance and impairs biomechanical efficiency. For runners, biomechanical imbalances eventually lead to pain and injury. Through Yoga, runners can become stronger by improving their balance through the focus of their energy and mind thus reducing the chance of injury.

4. BREATHING

Lung capacity is of prime importance for runners, because it creates the ability to maintain an even breathing pattern through all phases of running. The better the lung capacity is, the more oxygen is circulated through the system, which is most helpful for general running. However, the breathing pattern used in running and other forms of aerobic exercise involves quick and shallow inhalations and exhalations. This uses only the top portion of the lungs, leaving the middle and lower portions untouched. Yogic breathing involves slow, deep inhalations and long exhalations, making use of the upper, middle, and lower portions of the lungs. Yogic breathing has been shown to increase lung capacity, and greater lung capacity increases endurance and improves overall athletic performance.

5. AN ENERGISED BODY

Many forms of exercise deplete the body of its energy stores. Yet a yoga practice oxygenates the blood and creates more energy, leaving the body and mind feeling restored and energized. Yoga provides a vehicle through which the body can actively recover from the physical demands of running.

By Gandha Savio

If running is included in your regular exercise routine, why not unwind and try a TruBe yoga session to replenish your energy. You can search Gandha’s Profile in the TruBe trainers page.

You can also view our wide range of expert trainers who specialise in various other workout disciplines.

Click here to book a session

TruBe are proud to announce that we are an official partner of the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon taking place on the 8th October 2017! We will be running the half marathon workshops which are held in July and September and will host the complimentary assisted cool down area on race day for all runners! Click here to find out more

Try these 5 Yoga poses before bed time

March 9, 2017November 1, 2018 Alex CoombesLeave a comment

The importance of sleep surpasses the obvious involving lifting your mood and physically looking less tired. When you have difficulty sleeping at night, it affects your day to day life, wellbeing and even your weight. TruBe trainer Dipa Trivedi, who specialises in yoga, explains the different effects of sleep and how yoga can be a simple and effective solution to aid a peaceful night’s sleep.

I get a lot of feedback from most students saying “some days I can sleep and others I just wake up and cannot go back to sleep”… When I ask them why, the answer is ‘I am stressed or I feel hot or I don’t know why’.

Usually, having a good night’s sleep is a combination of several factors:

Physical fatigue
Mental state
Emotional wellbeing
Routine
Nutrition
Overall hormonal health

All of these factors are interconnected and getting the right balance is vital to having a continuous good night sleep.

Now it is different for everyone, so we cannot apply the same principles for all, however there is a baseline. Having a good night’s sleep is key to living a life with minimal illnesses. You might be in your 20’s or 30’s and think that it is okay to have 4 hours sleep and then catch up on sleep on weekend. However, as you are building a gap, this can be difficult to fill over time which may result in various health issues. If you observe a child, for example, they would sleep at least 10 hours a night. A working adult (from 22) should sleep an average of 7 hours a night to live long and well. Sleeping helps with memory recovery, focus, immunity and mental stability. Plus, it allows for muscle recovery and growth after sport and exercise.

There are various yoga sequences you can try to improve your general sleep.

MY 5 FAVOURITE RESTORATIVE POSES YOU CAN TRY:

1. Supta Badcharakan Asana

This works to improve the digestive system and blood circulation to the brain.

2. Supported Child Pose

This helps you let go of your day – as you are energetically turning your back to the world; as well as releasing tension from your shoulders to the lower back.

3. Legs Up the Wall

helps the circulation of both blood and lymphatic fluid.

4. Siddhasana – Simple Crossed Leg Pose

Focus on your breathing as this helps to stop the mind from wondering

5. Savasana

Lie down, start to let go of each limb and drift into relaxation

Performing these quietly, restorative poses can help calm your body and mind whilst relieving stress and anxiety.

Have a good night,

Dipa

Want more advice and fitness tips? Download the TruBe App and check out our expert trainers where you can book a session today!

Don’t forget that our TruBe trainers can come to you right in the comfort of your own home!

Why you should be doing yoga

September 3, 2015November 1, 2018 Alex CoombesLeave a comment

Yoga… It is everywhere! Your mum, your friends, and now even your brother is at it! So what is the deal? And why is everyone doing it?

What are the benefits of yoga?

It depends on the type of yoga you are practising. There are so many different and complimentary forms of yoga. From the most restorative like yin, all the way to some of the most intense like Astanga or Rocket.

A TruBe yoga session is a more dynamic form of yoga which means that you get the benefits of a good workout with added relaxation! Whaaaatt? Yes! Not only will you sweat from all the moving, but the deep breathing methods used in yoga are super balancing for your nervous system, leaving you to feel enlivened, poised and refreshed. Tuning into the details of motion and breath means you can really focus on being present so that the practice becomes similar to a moving meditation, taking care of both your body and your mind.

What happens in a session?

A yoga session usually starts with some settling. This gives you time to bring your focus inwards and shift your attention to the body and breath (rather than that huge list of phone calls you need to make in the afternoon). The next step is to start warming up the body with some gentle movement, maybe some core work, to move to the more challenging sun salutations. Once the body is really working, you will
often progress into backbends, before bringing the whole tempo back down with some stretching and some deep relaxation (called savasana). All of this can be adapted to your level of practice making it as challenging as you need.

What if I’m not flexible enough?

Yoga is not really about being bendy, and there are numerous modifications and props that can be offered to make the practice work for you, no matter how big or small your range of movement. Yoga has acquired that reputation because it is a great tool for increasing flexibility (and indeed, some of the very advanced postures really do require becoming a human pretzel). By increasing your range of movement, not only are you helping prevent injury, but you are also becoming stronger! You can read more about that here. It is so beneficial to the body and mind that sports teams and athletes are getting in on the action too, rugby players, marathon runners, triathletes, boxers… That’s right, yoga is not just for girls!

How does yoga fit into My work out? I want to be strong!

Well, yoga is just the ticket! Even if yoga is not part of your daily fitness regime, see if you can incorporate it once a week, or on an active rest day? You are more likely to remain injury free, you will increase your movement range and your proprioceptive awareness, as well as making your shoulders and core super strong! It won’t be just muscly strong, but actually useful strong. All that practice pushes the body to really move three dimensionally, therefore challenging the muscles to create extra stability, especially once you start to get your feet off the floor (although that does take some dedicated work). So not only will you develop strength and make movement more efficient, you will improve your performance in other areas, whether that’s running, team sports or even weight lifting. And thanks to the calm mind and steady breath you will develop, you can be sure you will be able to go the extra mile. So get on your mat!

Elodie – TruBe yoga instructor

P.s Read more about Elodie here.

Download the app and book a session with her today.