Tag: yoga
Although I combine running and traveling regularly (whether it’s doing a destination race — I most recently ran the Chicago Marathon — or simply running in whichever city I find myself in as part of my training and sightseeing at the same time — I’ve shared my workout faves for my hometown of Toronto with Expedia this year), it’s only more in the last few years that I’ve been looking to incorporate more and more fitness fun during my travels.
Typically, I try to choose activities or classes that are unique to that area. Hiking is something I try to do whenever I can (especially since I find opportunities to do it in Toronto scarce, even more so when you don’t have a vehicle). But there are also loads of classes you can try in other cities that may be unavailable in your city. I tried Soulcycle in New York City and LA before they opened up studios in Toronto. In Park City, I did a phenomenal SUP yoga class in a hot spring that’s located in a crater.
And I love surfing and it isn’t an option here in TO so that’s always high on my list if there’s some decent waves for a beginner (I need so much practice!) and I’ve had the chance to take a lesson in places like Puerto Rico and Barbados.
And also in Huntington Beach. My very first surf lesson was in HB two years ago, and I had another lesson there a few months ago. On that same trip that brought me to several areas in Southern California, I also did a superb outdoor Spin class with stunning views, had a blast in a dance class, to name just a few of the workouts I got to try out. No wonder Cali girls are so fit, they have such great fitness options and inspiring scenic views for their outdoor sweat sessions.
I wrote about SoCal fit vacation options (including La Jolla, Huntington Beach, San Diego, and Santa Monica) for Travel & Style. It’s got me California dreaming again…sigh. You can check out my T&S article here.
Photos: Maxim Potvin
October 16, 2017
Last weekend, Nike partnered with Sport Chek to bring the Brahaus pop-up to Yorkdale Mall in Toronto. I had a chance to learn about the new bras in the collection and learned that while the sport bras are divided into low-, medium- and high-impact categories (with sports slotted into each one — Pilates would be under light impact and running under high impact), your personal preference and the comfort and support you feel should be what ultimately determines the sport bra you wear. For example, if a medium or even light impact bra feels supportive enough for you for running, you can go ahead and rock that one. Besides actual construction and design elements of the sport bras, the level of elasticity of the fabric content also varies.
To more about the new Nike sports bras, check out my post over at iRun; this is the Nike Pro Indy Logo bra I have on here.
Besides learning about the new bras and the other fun they had planned for the Brahaus, I also sat down with Master Trainer Eva Redpath to talk about my marathon training. To complement my training for Chicago, she recommended I take advantage of the new expanded yoga offering on the NTC app. There are currently nine yoga workouts (Nike consulted with both yogis and three Nike Master Trainers) with more to come and they range from ones that focus on mobility (concentrating on recharging the body), endurance (where the focus is strength and holding poses for a long time, and flows that will build heat and make you sweat) and restorative.
Eva knows I have no problem getting my miles in but that I slack on the restorative part of my training. She recommended two of the yoga workouts for me on my non-run days: Deep Restorative Yoga and Ultimate Strength Yoga (which was created by Traci Copeland, a runner herself). Like the other NTC workouts, you get a preview of each movement, and the app is designed so that you can follow along like you would with a yoga teacher in a class by having them lead you through without a visual.
One of Eva’s aspects of the yoga workouts is the diaphragmatic breathing (there is at least two minutes of breathing at the beginning of each workout), to help you tap into your central nervous system’s fight or flight response and help manage that; she noted that anxiety could happen mid-race and deep breaths can help me get that response under control.
This training season, I’ve upped the frequency of my training, so I’m finding timing pretty limited in my schedule but I hope to incorporate at least one yoga workout a week, so I’m looking forward to trying out these new NTC yoga workouts. Given my limited time in my schedule, I do appreciate the ease of working out at home, with zero commute-to-a-yoga-studio time , and I’ve always found the NTC app to be super well designed and motivating so will soon namaste with Nike.
How ’bout you? How’s your training going?
August 4, 2017
I have no idea what took me so long to realize this, but I much prefer outdoor workouts. I will almost always opt to run outside over the treadmill or an indoor track. And when it comes to yoga and group cycle classes–workouts that in and of themselves, I’m not personally a huge fan of–I’ve actually enjoyed when done outside with the breeze, blue skies, and sunshine.
Which is why I’m totally into the outdoor exercise classes being held all summer long at CF Shops at Don Mills. They’ve got both group cycle classes and yoga all season held in the Town Square. I had a chance to try out the group cycle class last week and I found it much more fun than being in a dark studio.
Plus, here’s another great reason to take advantage of these summer classes at CF Shops at Don Mills: you work up a sweat and can tick off your workout of the day from your to-do list, then you’re right at this great open-air shopping centre (did you know it’s Ontario’s first open-air mall of its type?), so you can treat yourself right away to both some retail therapy, and a delicious bite to refuel.
If you live nearby or it’s easy for you to get to, I recommend going to check it out. And, hello, the yoga classes are free! You can’t beat that price! Plus, the 50-minute group cycle classes are a very reasonable $15.
Here’s the nitty gritty details so you can plan your workouts:
Group cycle classes run every Tuesday and Thursday from now until August 31st at 9:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 5:30 pm. The class happens rain or shine (the class is indoors if it’s raining btw). Just bring your running or Spin shoes.
The complimentary yoga classes happen every Sunday from now until September 3rd from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. (and only if the weather permits — if it’s raining, class is cancelled). BYOM. That’s bring your own mat, but you yogis probably got that.
You do have to reserve your spot online, though! To register, head over to CF Shops at Don Mills to snag a spot in a class.
I’m hoping to round up some friends to go this summer, so maybe I’ll see you there!
(sponsored)
July 5, 2017
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