"Ever child is an Artist.
The problem is staying an Artist when you grow up."
Picasso
Sunday, 29 May 2011
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
Another great Workout to try! Its all about the Nekkid!
Hey guys! Hope everyone is doing great! Thought it was time for another crazy fun but different workout. This one is again from Crossfit. It is the workout of the day from Crossfit Calgary (CFC) for today Wednesday May 25, 2011. This a pyramid style workout out. The idea is to complete all the reps (in as many set as you need to) before moving on to the next exercise. This one is great because you can do it anywhere in the gym and you do not have to worry about weighting for equipment really.
I did some cardio before hand to be sure that I was good and warmed up. I also put a break in the middle of the set half way done the Broad Jumps and did a 5 minute bridge. I wanted to go some core as there was nothing core centred even though everything is core active. (if you are not sure what these exercises are just click on some of them and it will show a youtube video of it)
10 Burpee Pull ups
20 Box Jumps - 24″/20″
30 Kettle Bell Swings - 1.5/1.0 pood (1 pood is about 35 lbs. so a weight plate or dumbbell works great if you do not have a Kettle Bell)
40 Push ups
50 Broad Jumps
This is where I did 25 jumps and 5 minute bridge. 1 minute static bridge hold hips, knees, and shoulders always in a straight line. Order is Front, side, other side, back (shoulders on the ground hips up high pushing into the heals), front again. Then continue the rest of the Broad jumps and down the other side of the pyramid.
40 Push ups
30 KB Swings
20 Box jumps
10 Burpee Pull up
Always remember to stay hydrated during the short breaks between each exercise. Do not break too long. This is short and intense to get through it and break at the end with a well deserved stretch. Enjoy!
I did some cardio before hand to be sure that I was good and warmed up. I also put a break in the middle of the set half way done the Broad Jumps and did a 5 minute bridge. I wanted to go some core as there was nothing core centred even though everything is core active. (if you are not sure what these exercises are just click on some of them and it will show a youtube video of it)
10 Burpee Pull ups
20 Box Jumps - 24″/20″
30 Kettle Bell Swings - 1.5/1.0 pood (1 pood is about 35 lbs. so a weight plate or dumbbell works great if you do not have a Kettle Bell)
40 Push ups
50 Broad Jumps
This is where I did 25 jumps and 5 minute bridge. 1 minute static bridge hold hips, knees, and shoulders always in a straight line. Order is Front, side, other side, back (shoulders on the ground hips up high pushing into the heals), front again. Then continue the rest of the Broad jumps and down the other side of the pyramid.
40 Push ups
30 KB Swings
20 Box jumps
10 Burpee Pull up
Always remember to stay hydrated during the short breaks between each exercise. Do not break too long. This is short and intense to get through it and break at the end with a well deserved stretch. Enjoy!
Sunday, 22 May 2011
Ultimate Luxury Pieces!
I love pretty things! I love having them in my life.
Here are some amazing pieces that I do not yet have but are still pretty and pretty amazing. They are from two ultra luxury brands. Vertu is a mobile phone maker of expectational quality and high end finish and Philip Stein is a beautiful watch maker.
Philip Stein is makes amazing beautiful watches (on Oprah's favorite things list and she has a watch style named after her, called Signature Oprah) but that is not all. The watches all have a Natural Frequency Technology. The watch have a variety of materials being stainless steal, leather, gold, silver, and sparkle. With just as many styles and colours over the ranges. Price of the watches runs from $450 to $5,000.
Natural Frequency Technology in Philip Stein watches is based on key frequencies beneficial to life and health, which are embedded on a metal disk found in every Philip Stein watch.
The prominent frequency is the frequency of the earth that is harmonious and grounding to life. It is the same frequency that a person is in during a relaxed and unstressed stage.
When wearing the watch, the human energy field begins to interact with the frequencies of the Philip Stein watch. The energy field of the person becomes bigger and stronger and as a result the person is more resistant to stress. Customers around the world have reported better sleep, more focus, and improved performance.
Who does not want better sleep? One cannot go wrong getting a Philip Stein it is gorgeous and helps make your life better.
Vertu is a mobile communications company out of England. Vertu was founded to create phones for the world's most demanding individuals. Service of the highest quality has always been paramount. From Vertu Concierge, offering expert advice and assistance at the touch of a button, to exclusive mobile content from Vertu Select, Vertu's services are built around - and exclusively delivered to - its clients.
The phones are made fro various high quality luxury materials; leather, stainless steal, sapphire, gold, platinum, and diamonds.
What also makes these phone so amazing is some of the extravagant extra special services for all their high profile customers:
Vertu Concierge is a personal dedicated and independent lifestyle assistance service available globally 24/7 in your preferred language at home or away. Activated through a dedicated button on your Vertu phone, Vertu Concierge is always there when you need it from gift ideas to a table for two overlooking the Alhambra at night.
Vertu City Brief is an independently written series of guides available in 200 destinations, each carefully curated and automatically presented to you on your Vertu phone when you arrive at that location. It provides helpful advice and suggestions on where to eat, drink and visit during your stay.
Both these products are amazing and very high end. Things to make life just a little bit more luxurious and to be fabulous. There is nothing wrong with having nice things in your life. As long as they are not your life, they are in your life. I want both of them SO BAD!
Here are some amazing pieces that I do not yet have but are still pretty and pretty amazing. They are from two ultra luxury brands. Vertu is a mobile phone maker of expectational quality and high end finish and Philip Stein is a beautiful watch maker.
Philip Stein is makes amazing beautiful watches (on Oprah's favorite things list and she has a watch style named after her, called Signature Oprah) but that is not all. The watches all have a Natural Frequency Technology. The watch have a variety of materials being stainless steal, leather, gold, silver, and sparkle. With just as many styles and colours over the ranges. Price of the watches runs from $450 to $5,000.
Natural Frequency Technology in Philip Stein watches is based on key frequencies beneficial to life and health, which are embedded on a metal disk found in every Philip Stein watch.
The prominent frequency is the frequency of the earth that is harmonious and grounding to life. It is the same frequency that a person is in during a relaxed and unstressed stage.
When wearing the watch, the human energy field begins to interact with the frequencies of the Philip Stein watch. The energy field of the person becomes bigger and stronger and as a result the person is more resistant to stress. Customers around the world have reported better sleep, more focus, and improved performance.
Who does not want better sleep? One cannot go wrong getting a Philip Stein it is gorgeous and helps make your life better.
Vertu is a mobile communications company out of England. Vertu was founded to create phones for the world's most demanding individuals. Service of the highest quality has always been paramount. From Vertu Concierge, offering expert advice and assistance at the touch of a button, to exclusive mobile content from Vertu Select, Vertu's services are built around - and exclusively delivered to - its clients.
The phones are made fro various high quality luxury materials; leather, stainless steal, sapphire, gold, platinum, and diamonds.
What also makes these phone so amazing is some of the extravagant extra special services for all their high profile customers:
Vertu Concierge is a personal dedicated and independent lifestyle assistance service available globally 24/7 in your preferred language at home or away. Activated through a dedicated button on your Vertu phone, Vertu Concierge is always there when you need it from gift ideas to a table for two overlooking the Alhambra at night.
Vertu City Brief is an independently written series of guides available in 200 destinations, each carefully curated and automatically presented to you on your Vertu phone when you arrive at that location. It provides helpful advice and suggestions on where to eat, drink and visit during your stay.
Both these products are amazing and very high end. Things to make life just a little bit more luxurious and to be fabulous. There is nothing wrong with having nice things in your life. As long as they are not your life, they are in your life. I want both of them SO BAD!
Friday, 20 May 2011
Thought of the Day!
The happest people do not have the best of everything,
They just make the best of everything.
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
Get ready for Summer Workout (gym or anywhere)!
This week is a little bit of a recovery week for me. I have been lifting very heavy for the last about 3 week and FINALLY putting on some weight. This week was a cycle week so I tried to "rest" but that did not work very well. So I found this workout from Scott Herman Fitness's YouTube Channel. He always has great advice, fitness news and tips, and fun workouts. And he is lovely to watch cause he is fit and does not wear a shirt that much, always a lovely thing.
Here is a pretty great workout that you can do anywhere. Just need a couple of Dumbbells (DB) and yourself that is it. Scott calls this workout Spartacus 2.0
His instructions were to preform the exercise for 40 seconds and rest for 20 seconds before moving onto the next exercise. Rest 2 minutes at the end of the circuit and perform it once again. I did it a little different. I did each exercise 10 - 12 reps each before moving one to the next. and did the circuit 4 time in total. I did not have a watch with me. Either way is great, the important part is that you are doing it.
Here is the circuit.
1. Hanging Pulls
2. Off set DB reverse lunges
3. Single arm DB swing
4. Thrusters
5. Single leg, single arm reverse grip DB row
6. DB chop
7. Plank walk to push up
8. Rotational DM straight leg dead lift
9. Squat trust
10. Jump Squats
As many of you are asking "What the hell half these are?" Below is the YouTube video of Scott explaining the workout and demonstrating the moves. Check it out. Work Hard! Have FUN!
Here is a pretty great workout that you can do anywhere. Just need a couple of Dumbbells (DB) and yourself that is it. Scott calls this workout Spartacus 2.0
His instructions were to preform the exercise for 40 seconds and rest for 20 seconds before moving onto the next exercise. Rest 2 minutes at the end of the circuit and perform it once again. I did it a little different. I did each exercise 10 - 12 reps each before moving one to the next. and did the circuit 4 time in total. I did not have a watch with me. Either way is great, the important part is that you are doing it.
Here is the circuit.
1. Hanging Pulls
2. Off set DB reverse lunges
3. Single arm DB swing
4. Thrusters
5. Single leg, single arm reverse grip DB row
6. DB chop
7. Plank walk to push up
8. Rotational DM straight leg dead lift
9. Squat trust
10. Jump Squats
As many of you are asking "What the hell half these are?" Below is the YouTube video of Scott explaining the workout and demonstrating the moves. Check it out. Work Hard! Have FUN!
Sunday, 15 May 2011
The Nut Job at the Park! Do you get what you give?
This afternoon a friend of mine and his lovely wife decided to get together and take the dogs out for some time at the park. The weather was ok, was supposed to be warm and sunny. It was cool with some wind, still a nice day all in. We were walking along with their dog and my two when all of the sudden we heard some loud commotion.
There was dogs barking and people raising their voices and yelling. We turned to check it out and there was a runner YELLING about everyone. His dogs were in the middle of fighting with a Great Dane puppy. Other dogs were getting involved. Some of the owners of the dogs came running to try and strop their dogs for being involved but suddenly the running man started whipping all the animals and people around him with his one leash (for his three dogs). He was screaming, "CALL THEM OFF!" at everyone around him. The leash was violently swinging around and the dogs and people were trying to get their dogs away. This man was going crazy. He was swinging the thing so much it hit him in the back of the leg and he started to bleed.
This man's energy was so unstable and toxic to have a freak out like that. His dogs were the ones the started the situation. I would say that his dogs did not have calm energy (according to the great Cesar Millan). Dogs' energy in a big way is refection of the owners state of mind and energy. The runner (at the time we say anyway) was not calm and in a leadership roll with a stable energy. This was evident when he was screaming at everyone around him and swinging his leash like a crazy person.
This make me wonder and proves that you get what you give (to some degree). If you are giving negative energy, thoughts attitudes all the time are you attracting that back? If you are sad all the time does more sadness seek you out?
"You get what you give!" I hear that saying often. Usually it is do to with working hard on a project or trying to achieve something. The more time, work, effort, and energy your spend more often then not you will see and reap the benefits of your sweet, blood, and tears. Does it work in the opposite? I think that it maybe. If you are angry, negative, abrasive, mad, or, sad all the time you will attract that energy back. (Now that is not to say that you should never be angry or that there is not reason to be sad. The key is not to be like that all the time.) I find people that are angry or sad all the time so toxic. They are so draining. It is hard to help them if they themselves do not want to be helped. Negativity can be such an auto exacerbatory situations. Breading more negativity attracting negative energy.
So if you are giving out constant negative energy, in what ever form, to the universe, you will get negativity back!
There was dogs barking and people raising their voices and yelling. We turned to check it out and there was a runner YELLING about everyone. His dogs were in the middle of fighting with a Great Dane puppy. Other dogs were getting involved. Some of the owners of the dogs came running to try and strop their dogs for being involved but suddenly the running man started whipping all the animals and people around him with his one leash (for his three dogs). He was screaming, "CALL THEM OFF!" at everyone around him. The leash was violently swinging around and the dogs and people were trying to get their dogs away. This man was going crazy. He was swinging the thing so much it hit him in the back of the leg and he started to bleed.
This man's energy was so unstable and toxic to have a freak out like that. His dogs were the ones the started the situation. I would say that his dogs did not have calm energy (according to the great Cesar Millan). Dogs' energy in a big way is refection of the owners state of mind and energy. The runner (at the time we say anyway) was not calm and in a leadership roll with a stable energy. This was evident when he was screaming at everyone around him and swinging his leash like a crazy person.
This make me wonder and proves that you get what you give (to some degree). If you are giving negative energy, thoughts attitudes all the time are you attracting that back? If you are sad all the time does more sadness seek you out?
"You get what you give!" I hear that saying often. Usually it is do to with working hard on a project or trying to achieve something. The more time, work, effort, and energy your spend more often then not you will see and reap the benefits of your sweet, blood, and tears. Does it work in the opposite? I think that it maybe. If you are angry, negative, abrasive, mad, or, sad all the time you will attract that energy back. (Now that is not to say that you should never be angry or that there is not reason to be sad. The key is not to be like that all the time.) I find people that are angry or sad all the time so toxic. They are so draining. It is hard to help them if they themselves do not want to be helped. Negativity can be such an auto exacerbatory situations. Breading more negativity attracting negative energy.
So if you are giving out constant negative energy, in what ever form, to the universe, you will get negativity back!
Monday, 9 May 2011
Monday, 2 May 2011
Four Secrets to Quiet the Mind!
If anyone has the same problem I do it is all the voices. More specifically all the voices in my head. Sometimes there are so many I cannot hear myself at all. It does not work when I ask (or tell) them all to shut up.
Here are some tips from my friends Cynthia and Sharlene at Soul Star Discovery to help quiet the chatter of your mind are below.
Whether you are new to meditation or an avid practitioner, one of the beautiful things about meditation is that your practice is never the same from day to day. Some days your meditation will soar and you can concentrate with no problem. Some days it will seem like a real struggle. Remember that your meditation practice is just that, a “practice.” Here are our 4 secrets to quiet the mind!
Secret #1 – Different approaches
“When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.” Our number one secret to mastering meditation is having different techniques in your toolkit.
If you are new to meditation, we encourage you to experiment with a variety of methods so you can find what resonates with you. As a seasoned practitioner, it helps to know a variety of approaches so you can jumpstart your practice at any time. Below are some ideas for you to consider. These are covered in greater detail in our “SoulStar Introduction to Meditation Workshop”.
Try a variety of positions:
* Sit in a chair with your feet flat on the ground
* Find a comfortable position cross-legged on the floor
* If you are familiar with yoga poses, try Hero’s pose
* Seat yourself on the floor with your back straight against the wall for support
* Try a zafu (special meditation cushion)
* Experiment with rolling a yoga mat and placing it under your sit bones for support as you sit cross legged on the floor
* Lie down, palms facing up
* Explore the use of mudras, (hand gestures), that help set your intentions
Types of Sitting Meditation:
* Pre-recorded guided meditations
* Creative visualization
* Lovingkindness Meditation
* Tonglen
* Use of mantras (sacred sounds) in a rhythmic pattern
* Be aware of how the breathe moves in and out of your body
* Try-out numerous breathing techniques
* Daily readings of inspirational prose
* Concentrating on a candle flame
Kinds of Active Meditation:
* Slow walking Meditation
* Slow eating Meditation
* Walking a labyrinth
* Tai Chi and other kinds of flowing, meditative movement
Secret #2 – Start small and build up
Learning how to meditate is really no different than how you might approach learning a new language, perfecting a new skill or building your fitness level. It takes time and practice to develop your mastery. We suggest starting with 15 minutes a day and once you are feeling successful with that, gradually increase the time.
We also recommend that you start simply. In the beginning, developing your sitting is enough. As you become more comfortable with your practice, you can add in other elements such as music, mudras (hand gestures) and bells.
Secret #3 – Go easy on yourself
Whether you are new to meditation or an avid practitioner, one of the beautiful things about meditation is that your practice is never the same from day to day. Some days your meditation will soar and you can concentrate with no problem. Some days it will seem like a real struggle. Remember that your meditation practice is just that, a “practice.” Here are our 4 secrets to quiet the mind!
Secret #4 – Meditation Journal
A meditation journal is a final item that can deepen your practice. At the end of each of your meditations, write what your experience was and any insights you received. The key is to journal exactly what comes in the moment. Don’t be too concerned about spelling, grammar or what it reads like. Resist the editor’s urge to begin analyzing the thoughts as they come. Just record the words as if you were transcribing a tape. Before you know it, there may be patterns in the sounds or images you received. At the moment you might not know what they mean to you, but when you go back to reflect, you can see those nuances and patterns that, when put together, have a deeper meaning that will help you answer some of the questions you are asking.
We hope this article has given you inspiration to positively transform your meditation practice. We are thrilled to help you grow your meditation practice and we would be honoured to have you choose to learn with us!
© Copyright 2006-2011 SoulStar Discovery For Women Inc. All Rights Reserved. Cynthia Watson and Sharlene Starr are spiritual teachers and authors of the *FREE* Special Report, “15 Blunders That Block Consciousness!” If you’re ready to discover how to live with more success, freedom, and happiness, then get your *FREE* copy now at: http://www.SoulStarDiscovery.com. If you liked this article, you may also be interested in discovering yoga to awaken your mind, body, and soul. Sharlene teaches Kundalini Yoga classes for health, wellbeing, and conscious living. For all the details go to http://www.SharleneStarr.com
Here are some tips from my friends Cynthia and Sharlene at Soul Star Discovery to help quiet the chatter of your mind are below.
Whether you are new to meditation or an avid practitioner, one of the beautiful things about meditation is that your practice is never the same from day to day. Some days your meditation will soar and you can concentrate with no problem. Some days it will seem like a real struggle. Remember that your meditation practice is just that, a “practice.” Here are our 4 secrets to quiet the mind!
Secret #1 – Different approaches
“When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.” Our number one secret to mastering meditation is having different techniques in your toolkit.
If you are new to meditation, we encourage you to experiment with a variety of methods so you can find what resonates with you. As a seasoned practitioner, it helps to know a variety of approaches so you can jumpstart your practice at any time. Below are some ideas for you to consider. These are covered in greater detail in our “SoulStar Introduction to Meditation Workshop”.
Try a variety of positions:
* Sit in a chair with your feet flat on the ground
* Find a comfortable position cross-legged on the floor
* If you are familiar with yoga poses, try Hero’s pose
* Seat yourself on the floor with your back straight against the wall for support
* Try a zafu (special meditation cushion)
* Experiment with rolling a yoga mat and placing it under your sit bones for support as you sit cross legged on the floor
* Lie down, palms facing up
* Explore the use of mudras, (hand gestures), that help set your intentions
Types of Sitting Meditation:
* Pre-recorded guided meditations
* Creative visualization
* Lovingkindness Meditation
* Tonglen
* Use of mantras (sacred sounds) in a rhythmic pattern
* Be aware of how the breathe moves in and out of your body
* Try-out numerous breathing techniques
* Daily readings of inspirational prose
* Concentrating on a candle flame
Kinds of Active Meditation:
* Slow walking Meditation
* Slow eating Meditation
* Walking a labyrinth
* Tai Chi and other kinds of flowing, meditative movement
Secret #2 – Start small and build up
Learning how to meditate is really no different than how you might approach learning a new language, perfecting a new skill or building your fitness level. It takes time and practice to develop your mastery. We suggest starting with 15 minutes a day and once you are feeling successful with that, gradually increase the time.
We also recommend that you start simply. In the beginning, developing your sitting is enough. As you become more comfortable with your practice, you can add in other elements such as music, mudras (hand gestures) and bells.
Secret #3 – Go easy on yourself
Whether you are new to meditation or an avid practitioner, one of the beautiful things about meditation is that your practice is never the same from day to day. Some days your meditation will soar and you can concentrate with no problem. Some days it will seem like a real struggle. Remember that your meditation practice is just that, a “practice.” Here are our 4 secrets to quiet the mind!
Secret #4 – Meditation Journal
A meditation journal is a final item that can deepen your practice. At the end of each of your meditations, write what your experience was and any insights you received. The key is to journal exactly what comes in the moment. Don’t be too concerned about spelling, grammar or what it reads like. Resist the editor’s urge to begin analyzing the thoughts as they come. Just record the words as if you were transcribing a tape. Before you know it, there may be patterns in the sounds or images you received. At the moment you might not know what they mean to you, but when you go back to reflect, you can see those nuances and patterns that, when put together, have a deeper meaning that will help you answer some of the questions you are asking.
We hope this article has given you inspiration to positively transform your meditation practice. We are thrilled to help you grow your meditation practice and we would be honoured to have you choose to learn with us!
© Copyright 2006-2011 SoulStar Discovery For Women Inc. All Rights Reserved. Cynthia Watson and Sharlene Starr are spiritual teachers and authors of the *FREE* Special Report, “15 Blunders That Block Consciousness!” If you’re ready to discover how to live with more success, freedom, and happiness, then get your *FREE* copy now at: http://www.SoulStarDiscovery.com. If you liked this article, you may also be interested in discovering yoga to awaken your mind, body, and soul. Sharlene teaches Kundalini Yoga classes for health, wellbeing, and conscious living. For all the details go to http://www.SharleneStarr.com
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