To Onzie Or Not.

"Why do you need to buy again if you still have more?" asked the husband.

"But I don't have enough", she replied.

"Yes, you do. If you wash them on daily basis, you would have enough for 7 days a week."

Snort.

That's me and my pension for pretty yoga clothing. But then again, this isn't just about yoga. You know, once you are into fashion and pretty clothing (or you're just born shopaholic), does not matter what type of sports you are into, you will find ways to wear attire that definitely helps with motivation to keep exercising. For instance, when I was into Zumba I was not spared in getting all crazy about their super punchy Zumba attires. Plus they are made of good quality material and fit perfectly for kick-ass Zumba workout. I still wear my Zumba racer back tank top cos they are so comfy I don't even have to wear anything underneath. 

Then came running. I can't be running a marathon (doesn't matter if it's a only a 10KM distance) in bulky track bottom and loose T-shirt, right? And of course I need one that can absorb heat, dry fast when sweating etc. So I look for a good quality running attires. That's what Nike, Adidas, Reebok bla, bla, bla are made of.

When I started Yoga, I wore my Nike training crop pants and a tank top. I thought, this is good. I don't need a shoe to work out. Even a pjs will do. Eventually, I realized I do need some sort of suitable yoga clothing to go with my practice cos there are some stretchy pants that look comfy but don't actually deliver what they claim. Then, I was introduced with certain brand names like Onzie, Liquido, Dharma Bums, Teeki Bum and lots more. I still have my doubts that these so-called yoga clothing are different. That they are equal comfort the like of Nike and Adidas until I wore my first Onzie capri pants. Later, I experimented with Dharma Bums and there's no turning back.

So, what is it with this branded clothing that gives high on people like me?

Well, first... they are GUARANTEED comfortable for wearing. I can wear them all day! The material used (mostly Polyester and Spandex mix) is breathable and moisture wicking. They feel like my second skin.

Second, and this is the obvious reason; the designs. Most of these brands offer vibrant and fresh designs. You couldn't resist looking (and buying). I know sports brands like Nike, Adidas and recently Reebok are coming up with such similar design concept as well but somehow, IMO these brands still lacking something in terms of materials used.  

Third, it definitely provides extra confident especially when you are working outdoors. It's something like dressing up for a dinner party. If people turns their head for you, and you are certain your choice of clothes and style are the reason for this attention, isn't that a sure instant confidence booster? When I wear my yoga pants, they snugged into me comfortably giving me the relaxation of wearing that I needed. This comfort makes me feel confident. Plus the punchy colors of my pants, that surely is a head-turner. 

Lastly, you don't need any other clothing other than these when wearing. Confused? The way these pants are tailored and sewn, there's this specific pattern at the vjj area that caters for comfort around it. So when wearing this kind of yoga pants, you won't need any other undies inside. This definitely saved you from VPL issue.

 

The thing about these made-for-the-sports clothing is the price tag. They always made a hole out of your pocket. When I first bought two items from Onzie, shipped directly from the US, they cost me about 450 bucks. If the buying stops at just two, that amount is considered OK. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Of course I want MORE. But after 4 pairs of Onzie, a pair of Dharma Bums and Red Tiger each, a few Body Angel Active Wear and Beyond Yoga bra top... I decided to be prudent in my buying. Only do transactions when the items are on Sale. Ha! Cheapskate, I know. But even when these brands are on sale, they still cost at least a hundred buck you know.

A note to you: This is not my attempt to lull you into buying expensive yoga clothes. I'm just saying this based on my experience. If you are interested to know this experience I'm talking about, it's your call. *wink*

So cheers to pretty yoga attire!

A different kick-off

Not really a New Year post eh?

I am still here. Still blog hopping whenever possible. Still browsing my blog once in a while. Just no intention to post anything. Life has been pretty busy on my other social networking sites i.e. Facebook, Instagram. Hence, the lack attention in here.

42 days had passed since New Year and proud to say that, I have not been sleeping past 9am anymore. On working days, it's inevitable to wake up at 5am because of work. But on weekends, it would be 6am. Why?

My first Yoga at the beach on the first Saturday of 2014.

If it isn't Yoga, I would turn to running to get my ass up in the morning.

I say, this is a different start to my 2014. Before, I always look forward weekends to wake up after 8am. Now, even though I am still depending on alarm clock, waking up isn't much of a problem anymore. Of course, there are times when I feel like cuddling under the blanket. Like those time in Jan when rain continuously pouring night and day. But, the thought of 'If I wake up late, I'll miss my morning yoga session' kind of bugged me.

And why do I love morning work out?

I've ran and do yoga in the evening. Most of the time actually. But, nothing beats the feeling of having to see the sun goes up while you run. Or doing the Downward Dog while listening to birds coming out of their nests. The quietness of morning before it turns to buzz due to day time activities. It just feel so refreshingly amazing. 

The great post-work out sensation plus the wonderful experience of nature very much affect my soul, my perception of life and how I would live it. This may sound cliche but yes, this whole working out thingy makes me feel content about living my life. I remember blogging about this end of last year; feeling unfinished. Somehow, the blockage that I was experiencing at that time kind of drifted away now. I feel... cleared.

Another great thing, my other half is on the bandwagon as well. And really determined about it too. He started his gym routine in Jan at 95kg. Fast forward a month and almost half, he is now 87kg. Almost 10kg! He is very disciplined on his work out regime that I am expecting he would soon turn to a work out junkie more than I.


So yeah... this year seems to be looking at fitness and health in our book in the hope that with such healthy life style will eventually bring more goodness and benefits into our lives. Whatever they are.

A toast to a healthy way of living!

*hugs*

Yoga Progress: Standing Bow

Standing Bow pose has been one of my favourite pose from the first day I started practicing yoga. I just feel deeply mesmerized by the position of the body, the curve of the back, the elongated one leg up and the balance the whole body gets by simply stretching one end of the hand and the other leg. It just look so elegant. No wonder, it is also called a Dancer's Pose.

When I first started, I didn't know how to place my legs and abs properly.

On Day two, after throughly studying the pose, I managed to properly lift up my leg and align my torso.

Coming to Week Two and after pretty much digging details of the pose, I was able to get into some proper form of it. And I must admit, I kind of love the progress.

On the following week, I was aiming to get the back leg straighter and torso more aligned with the floor by arching the spine more. I didn't get much progress aside maintaining the posture I achieved from the week before.

Unfortunately, I was too ambitious the following week when doing Intense Side Stretch pose. I injured my left back thigh causing intense pain whenever I tried to stand straight on it.  It's been a week and the muscle is showing sign of recovery but VERY slow. I couldn't wait and so I trained my other leg to be the standing leg. This is as much I could do with my left side. Back too stiff to arch. *sigh*

Praying that my injury will get better as soon as possible. However, I feel good about the overall progress. I have been very religious with my practice and started to do yoga on daily basis from the 4th week.

How do I stay put?

Let's just say, Instagram and the people in it makes me motivated. Ha!

Till next post!
*hugs*

After a week...

Update on my Yoga progress.

My favourite pose, Standing Bow Pose or the Dancer's Pose. I think I am progressing well with this pose.

 

And of course, some other poses I've been practicing. I even bought myself DVDs for Yoga beginner. I reckon that I need more insights to Yoga than just practicing the pose via images found on the Internet. I must say, I look forward to dig deeper. To understand the reason why I do all the poses and the benefits yielded from doing yoga daily.

 

Namaste.

 

 

Achievement unlocked

Here's more story about my Yoga journey...well, im only on day 5. It is still a journey kan considering I am still at it. Unlike last time. ^__^

So I've said in my Instagram that this is one of my favourite pose in the 26 poses of the Bikram Yoga when I first started.
 


On day 2, I managed to pull my leg up a bit.


On day 3, I did not do anything so as to get the muscle rest.

On day 4, I was only trying to strike a pose when I did this pose. And look how much I think I have progressed. I mean, I surprised myself that I was able to pull up that much of my leg. And I didn't really feel the strain that I had on day one and two. Perhaps, the rest I had on day 3 kind of helped ease the sore muscles.
 

So, have I unlocked any achievement? Well, not exactly. But I think I am on my way to unlock something beyond my imagination.  I am ecstatic to see how far can I go with this pose comes Day 30.

Fingers crossed!

A Yogi?

I tried Yoga back when I was still teaching in Keningau. It was part of wanting to try what form of exercise appealed me for my evening workout. However, I wasn't keen. In fact, I only went to the class less than 5 times. The stretching and what not bored me. Heck, it made me sleepy. Or perhaps, I wasn't doing it right. Hence, the lack of enthusiasm.

Surprise, surprise!

Am back on it. Well, after some blogger friends (Read: Wyne_Mouren and StellaClaire) show fascinating trending of Yoga photos and they are filling up my Instagram timeline everyday. I was skeptical at first. But look who's joining in the bandwagon? Ha!

Great thing is, even hubby gives encouragement albeit subtle by telling me that there are apps on iPad regarding yoga for beginners.

Here's my first pose of the Dandayamana-Dhanurasana or the Standing Bow Pose, the 6th pose of the 26 basic Bikram Yoga Pose.
 A long way to go before I get the correct pose and posture.  

After I did a half an hour of some of the poses, what I noticed is that I get some slight headache post-exercise. I gathered it was due to the blood circulation or whatever that has gone through while I did the yoga process. But then again, it could be due to the incorrect postures and breathing throughout my exercise.

Today, I shall improve on the breathing first and has been doing bit of revision on the 26 Bikram Yoga.

Update again soon.

******
I read HERE that it is normal to feel dizzy when first starting yoga due to the body not being used of having too much oxygen in the system. A ha!