Tag: yoga

Sweat Yoga studio in Santa Monica

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Sweat Yoga studio in Santa Monica | itsjoulife.com

My mat and me time. The sweat will be dripping, the inner peace building, the music capturing the soul. Hot yoga at Sweat Yoga studio in Santa Monica isn’t just a powerful and purposeful workout, it’s a rejuvenation of the mind, body, and soul. I call it my morning therapy.

I’ve been consistently coming to Sweat Yoga in the early AM for the past several months and have seen a difference in toning my body, strength, calming my mind, and setting up my workday. Hot yoga strengthens, balances and detoxifies my entire body and mind as I move through challenging postures and connected breath. Turn stress = sweat.

Here are my Sweat Yoga studio highlights:

  • Come early, morning and evening classes are always crowded. The instructors always start out with an enjoyable and relatable story; is friendly, encouraging and sometimes hands on; has a calming voice that doesn’t lull me to sleep; and plays an eclectic mix of awesome music beats (think The Weeknd’s “Often” and Sylvan Esso’s “Coffee”). Fave instructors are: Paige Yeaton, Zoe Welch, and Brittny McCarthy.
  • Class format is engaging and creative: typically learn movements in a vinyasa flow, go through it guided by the instructor a few times, and then at your own pace, continue through a few more rounds. There is room for creativity as the environment is encouraging of exploring new moves and positions.

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$30 off ClassPass // Bargain + Fitness

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$30 off ClassPass // https://itsjoulife.wordpress.com/2016/07/08/30-off-classpass-bargain-fitness

Happy anniversary ClassPass! In honor of this celebration you’ll get $30 off your first month! Hurry (!) because this offer is for a limited time.

ClassPass a new kind of fitness membership that lets you enjoy diverse and exciting ways to work out. It’s a brilliant business model and suits my interests because I like variety and trying out new things. Each workout is a good sweat leaving me recharged and refreshed. It’s challenging and I’ve learned to push myself physically and mentally. I’m stronger, more toned, built endurance and always leave feeling I can conquer the day.

Catchup with my love and obsession for ClassPass and why it has transformed my mind, body and soul, in a prior post, here.

Deal

$30 off your first month special – Join me on ClassPass and you’ll get $30 off your first month of group fitness classes. From yoga and barre to cycling and Pilates, ClassPass lets you try the best boutique studios in your area. One monthly membership, endless options, all up to you! http://class.ps/gIHXY

Do something good for your mind, body, soul this 2016. Cheers to good health!

You must be a new ClassPass subscriber and must purchase a membership using this unique link (http://class.ps/gIHXY).

$30 off ClassPass // bargain + fitness

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CPAs a long time fitness fiend, spending time training for marathons and even owning memberships at two gyms, I finally found my groove in a consistent workout routine. All thanks to ClassPass.

I LOVE ClassPass. It’s a new kind of fitness membership that lets you enjoy diverse and exciting ways to work out. It’s a brilliant business model and suits my interests because I like variety and trying out new things. I’ve been doing hot yoga, spinning, circuit training, ballet barre, stand up paddle boarding and been meaning to try boxing and surfing.

Each workout is a good sweat leaving me recharged and refreshed. It’s challenging and I’ve learned to push myself physically and mentally. I’m stronger, more toned, built endurance and always leave feeling I can conquer the day. I recently ran a half marathon in hilly San Francisco and set my personal record (!) and I owe it all to spinning and the motivational energy of my favorite instructor, Rene. During that race I just kept pushing myself. My lungs burned and legs were tired, but I knew I had it in me.

I can’t stop talking about it to friends. CP doesn’t have promo offers often, but I just came across a $20 off your first month of unlimited group fitness classes. Note: I pay $119/month and max three classes at each studio. This is an awesome deal because sometimes a month membership at a fancy gym or studio runs $120+/month. This way I can jump around and get diversity and cross train at various studios in different cities.

Deal

NEW Offer! $30 off your first month special – Join me on ClassPass and you’ll get $30 off your first month of group fitness classes. From yoga and barre to cycling and Pilates, ClassPass lets you try the best boutique studios in your area. One monthly membership, endless options, all up to you! http://class.ps/gIHXY More details on the $30 off deal in a new post, here.

Do something good for your mind, body, soul this 2016. Cheers to good health!

Day 10 // Meditate for 1 Minute | Birchbox Challenge

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Day 10 // Meditate for One Minute #BirchboxChallenge via It's Jou Life blog - https://itsjoulife.wordpress.com/?p=1124

Sunrise up in the Alishan, Taiwan mountains

I’ve recently started setting my alarm clock at 11pm every night and been waking up more energized and ready to start my day (thanks to Day 16 #BirchboxChallenge)! I’ve been having quaint mornings of “me” time and among other things, I meditate for one minute. It helps reduce stress, clear my mind and calm my heart. I sit up straight, rest my palms in my lap, close my eyes, and pay attention to my inhales and exhales for 60 seconds.
The below tips to reap the full benefits of a one-minute meditation practice is taken from Birchbox and Tara Stiles, Strala Yoga founder and author of Make Your Own Rules Diet. I’m definitely guilty of getting lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life–rushing out of the house to get to an appointment, not taking enough walking breaks at work and Instagramming during dinner. Even taking just one minute to meditate gives me a jumpstart to a more productive and brighter day.

Get Comfortable

Set a time for one minute using your smartphone. Choose a place in your home where you won’t be disturbed, and arrange yourself in a comfortable seated position. If you are in a chair, place your feet on the ground evenly. If you are on the floor, try crossing your legs or sitting on your heels. Sit up straight and rest your palms in your lap. Close your eyes and begin to pay attention to your breath.

Focus on Your Breath

Watch your inhales and exhales as they come and go. Allow yourself to become interested in the depth and pace of your breathing. Begin to lengthen your inhales and exhales. If it feels comfortable, pause at the top of your inhale and at the bottom of your exhale.

Guide Your Thoughs

Relax your whole body, including your face, neck, shoulders, back, legs and feet. If you notice your thoughts starting to drift, guide your attention back to your breath.

Finish Strong

When the timer goes off, don’t just pop out of your practice. Continue to breathe for 10 more long, deep breaths. When you are ready, slowly open your eyes.

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About the Birchbox Challenge

Birchbox teamed up with a panel of all-star experts to bring a 31-day challenge to make 2015 your healthiest, happiest, most gorgeous year ever. I’m joining Birchbox on this month-long challenge and will share my success with #BirchboxChallenge. Let’s do this together!

Day 5 // Become a Morning Warrior | Birchbox Challenge

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I’d like to say I’m a selective morning person. I enjoy waking up early on the weekends–make tea, journal, go to the gym and even declutter my desk. As for the weekday, after hitting snooze three times, I drag myself out of bed with just enough time to brush my teeth and wash my face before bolting out the door for work.

I keep telling myself I should wake up earlier during the work week to make time to quiet my heart, energize my body and mentally prepare for a full day. I’ve been trying these three powerful yoga poses from the Day 5 // Become a Morning Warrior from the Birchbox Challenge and been getting a jumpstart on my day and feeling invigorated.

This three-pose yoga sequence from Masumi Goldman and Laura Kasperzak, the brains (and muscle) behind Two Fit Moms, will leave you feeling peaceful and centered. Plus, you’ll get a gentle flexibility and strength workout just minutes after you roll out of bed. Each of these fundamental yoga poses stretches and strengthens your muscles in a short period of time. Once you’re familiar with each of the poses and can hold each pose for five full breaths, repeat the sequence at a faster pace. Remember to practice the poses on both sides of the body.

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About the Birchbox Challenge

Birchbox teamed up with a panel of all-star experts to bring a 31-day challenge to make 2015 your healthiest, happiest, most gorgeous year ever. I’m joining Birchbox on this month-long challenge and will share my success with #BirchboxChallenge. Make sure to also enter for their daily prize giveaways. Let’s do this together!