MOVING MEDITATION

SWIMMING CAN BE A GREAT MOVING MEDITATION

P: @chanellesladics

What is your relationship with the #PRSNT moment? Every day I do 2 x 20 minutes meditation sessions but to be fully transparent, some days it can be challenging to find space and time to practice. This especially happens when family is around or I have a long “to do list” or if I am really stressed out. With that said, I know how beneficial a consistent meditation practice is, so rather than getting frustrated when I can’t do my regular practice, [or skipping the meditation] i’v learned to find a way to flex and flow with what er is going on around me. One solution that I absolutely love is to practice #movingmeditation 🏊‍♀️ This style of meditation can be integrated into activities like for example running, swimming and snowboarding. In fact, you might even feel like you have been meditating while immersed in these activities. The reason for this is that when we connect with our bodies and breath, we naturally become a part of the #PRSNTmoment, because the body and our breath is always present.

RUNNING, TUNING INTO THE BREATH AS A MOVING MEDITATION

When we systematically apply a technique of breath awareness to an activity, we draw the attention of our minds into the moment and practice what is called a moving meditation. It’s similar to when you just get “lost” in the activity but with an added layer of mindfulness. The result is a strengthened capacity to return to the #prsnt moment - In day to day life, when stressful situations arise, this is a great tool to have in your tool belt. Did you know that fear can’t live in the present moment? The ego, who is is responsible for triggering fear, pain, disappointment and so on, can’t survive in the now. That’s why, when we draw our attention into the #PRSNT moment, we feel so good. We become free from the ego and feel love, fulfillment and bubbling positive vibrations 🙏🏻

FOOD IS MY MEDICINE

Food is my medicine. Food is my fuel. I can even stretch it to say that food is becoming my religion. Call me crazy but the more I experience what a profound impact the food I eat and what I drink has on my health, the more I want to fuel my body with only good stuff

“I want to use my platform as an athlete to showcase these companies and people, who are committed to providing us with products that are good for us and for the environment.”

So much of our food has/ is getting depleted and altered, and it is getting harder to find pure, fresh, non-chemical food. Our soil used to have over 52 trace minerals, compared to now when it's reduced to only 3 in most conventional agriculture. I started waking up to this (harsh) reality about 8-9 years ago, and it's important for me to keep educating myself. Knowledge is power and when I go to the store I want to be able to make choices I can really stand behind. I want to understand who and what system I am supporting with my purchases. There are many companies and people out there who are serving a purpose for the greater good. I want to use my platform as an athlete to showcase these companies and people, who are committed to providing us with products that are good for us and for the environment. If you are curious about this delicious superfood smoothie bowl in this picture please visit www.purps.com/blogs (see link in my bio) to find the recipe - It's made by myself as a pre-workout meal, with fresh ingredients and lots of intention to support good health. It provides me with clean every that enables me to adventure and use my body all day long

3 CORE WORKOUTS FOR BETTER SELF ESTEEM

A strong core is fundamental to perform your best in any activity. It's also linked to good self-esteem and and can help prevent injuries and bad posture. Make sure you switch between your core exercises for your lower back and your stomach muscles to create balance. 

PHOTOS: Nikol Herec

Plank to pull ins.

PIKES

The Mountain Climber.

Downward Phase: 

Inhale and slowly lower your body back to a plank position. Keep the torso rigid and head and spine aligned. Do not allow the low back or ribcage to sag. The intensity of this exercise can be increased by lengthening the straps and positioning your body further away from the anchor point of the bands.

Upward Phase: 

On an exhale, engage your abdominals. Bring your hips toward the ceiling and pull your legs toward your chest. Keep the legs straight and strong and toes pointed. Your feet should be glued together throughout the exercise. Continue the movement until your hips move directly over your shoulders in somewhat of a handstand position. Keep the torso rigid. Do not allow the spine to arch or bow.  

PIKE Description credit: www.acefitness.org/exercise-library-details/1/88/

PIKES

“Before using bands you should be able to effectively stabilize your low back with your core muscles, because these exercises are advanced.”

GLUTES & CORE WARM UP

In all seriousness of exercising and training, it's important to remember to have fun and get a little weird. These are warm up exercises are great because they can be done literally anywhere. They require little to no equipment and you even get to go upside down and see the world from a different perspective. Any bands can be used, but we recommend you choose a band with medium resistance, that is completed so you don't have to tie it. Your "glutes " will thank you for the warm welcome!

PHOTOS: Nikol Herec

Wrap the band around your shoulder and leg and move your leg up and down.Squeeze your butt when leg is in the straight position. Repeat 10 times on each side.

Position 1: Push your leg backwards and slightly up and squeeze your butt (Gluteus Maximus) in the end position. Do 5 sec holds in this position to make the exersice harder.

Position 2: Take your leg forward and bend the knee. Then move your leg back to position 1 immediately. 

 

Same exercise seen from back. Great way to warm up your "glutes" before any activity where legs are involved. Repeat 10 times.

Plank to single leg / single arm reach. Squeeze your butt at end position. Hold for more challenge. Alternate legs. Repeat 20 times (10 on each leg) 

Attention: Advanced exercise! Make sure you can do a head stand before attempting this. Go from the head stand upright position and slowly move your legs down towards the ground. Make sure to not go any farther than you can control. Stop no later than right before your feet touches the ground. Move your legs back to upright headstand position. repeat as many as you feel in control of