sublime bliss

Posted on May 29, 2012 | 1 Comment

Today was a blessing.

I couldn’t have had a better day. I slept early the night before, and asked Amaani to wake me up before she left the house for work. Fortunately, she went to work earlier than usual, so my day started at 8:30 am! Very unusual for me since I love my sleep, and somehow always manage to sleep in.

Last night, I went for a long walk while everyone was out for dinner with their extended family. I decided to stop by Hot Jumbo Bagel on Second Ave in Midtown East – a place that hits close to home. This little gem of a bagel shop is right beside my cousins’ old apartment; and Amaani and I would always venture out there at odd hours of the night (it’s open 24 hours!!). I always got mine with turkey, swiss, tomatoes, lettuce, and mayo; and the guys would always put so much deli turkey!
And did I mention: their bagels are HUGE; hence the name!

I made a stop there before heading home last night, and got myself a whole wheat bagel with low fat spinach cream cheese, for todays breakfast.
For some idiotic reason, I put the bagel in the fridge last night…kind of ruined the experience and  the excitement of the bagel.
They bake their bagels fresh every day! – all the more reason to get another one right?!

After breakfast, I headed over to the Reebok Sports Club/LA…

O gosh, you know… I just realized that I never talked about the Reebok Sports Club.
So, yesterday I activated a free 3 day pass at this fancy-shmancy gym on the Upper East Side. It is 7 stories high, with a beautiful rooftop terrace, which overlooks the Queensborough bridge, and the gondolas that travel to Roosevelt Island, along with inescapable, majestic manhattan buildings, which envelop the ever so peaceful rooftop terrace.

They have a full cafe on the main floor, with a surprisingly awesome selection of HEALTHY food, and a salad and smoothie bar.

yum!

I got a Ginger, Apple, Cucumber juice from the juice bar. You could choose any 3 fresh ingredients, I learned that ginger is more of a winter-y flavour – not so much on a blistering hot summers day.

The rooftop has a canteen that serves grilled food.

There are squash courts, basketball courts, tennis courts, a massive rock climbing wall, a pool, a jacuzzi, a large weight room, and a balcony style floor with all the cardio ergometers that look onto the weight room.
And get this, they have ionized water, and refrigerated scented towels for the blistering summer heat. Pretty shmanc-ay!

Cold Scented Towels and Ionized Water

Right now they have a pretty solid deal – I wish I lived in NYC, just so I could take advantage of this offer. Normally they have an initial membership fee of $800, but for this special offer (which expires on Thursday), they will waive the $800 fee, and drop the monthly payment from $175 to $152!!! Sweet deal!
This deal is also the most basic membership; there is also a super fancy membership, which includes overnight laundry!

Luckily this week started off with marvellous sunshine (and unbearable heat) – 30 degrees!
A little too hot for my liking (mainly because of the intense humidity) – it definitely isn’t walking-around-the-city kind of weather, however, lounging on a rooftop terrace was just fine!


Before I indulged in lazing on a beach chair, I went for a Back workout. It wasn’t the best workout – I felt weak and lethargic from the heat.

Lat Pull:
1 X 12 reps @ 27.5 lbs
1 X 12 reps @ 35 lbs
1 X 8 reps @ 35 lbs

Cable Row:
2 X 12 reps @ 55 lbs
1 X 9 reps @ 70 lbs

One Arm Pull:
1 X 12 reps @ 30 lbs
1 X 9 reps @ 35 lbs
1 X 8 reps @ 35 lbs

Close Grip Lat Pull:
1 X 12 reps @ 60 lbs
1 X 12 reps @ 75 lbs 
1 X 8 reps @ 75 lbs

Assisted Pull Up:
1 X 11 reps @ 80 lbs
2 X 4 reps @ 70 lbs <– wow that sux! I was pretty fatigued for some reason.

Rear Delt Flye
3 X 12 reps @ 10 lbs

Followed by 30 minutes on the Stairmill.

Any way, I keep going off track – I wanted to tell you about my pampered day of sublime bliss.
So, today was my second day on the 3-day pass; alas, after devouring half the bagel and cream cheese, I headed over to Reebok, where I spent 3 hours basking in the sun, accompanied by a good book. By the way, I burned my tummy and chest pretty badly – I didn’t even know I burned so easily, I mean I am darker to begin with!… although, I feel like every summer this happens, and every summer I find myself dumbfounded by it. May be I do burn easily………

Any way, after chilling (a.k.a roasting), I went to Bloomingdales for a Japanese Facial at Shiseido. I had never heard of a Japanese Facial Massage, so I was pretty pumped! And plus, I am totally obsessed with Shiseido’s skin care products.

Basically, they use their incredible products on your face, targeting facial meridians and pressure points to increase circulation, prevent wrinkles, and balance skin.

My skin was looking pretty refreshed and glow-y. The picture doesn’t do it justice…

I then walked into a couple of stores, and *sigh* … put a bunch of stuff on hold at H&M… hmmm…I think I might have a curse… I can’t stop shopping and I am going to run out of money at this rate!!!! Cursed!

After trying on a bunch of stuff at H&M, I headed back to Reebok for a 45 minute Spinning class – it was AWESOME! 
The instructors name was Lisa; her music was great, and I loved her style! 
I was drenched by the end of it!!!
I wanted to get a chest workout in after, but I was pretty beat from the class, so I got myself a protein smoothie, and headed out the door.

Maybe tomorrow I will train both Chest & Legs… perhaps superset between those 2 muscle groups… More importunely though, I hope it is sunny tomorrow so I can even out my sun tan since the back of my body is still pale(er).

What a great day!!

→ 1 Comment

Posted in Training, Review

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

memorial day weekend

Posted on May 28, 2012 | Leave a comment

We had a little shindig at our place on Friday night; it was… interesting to say the least. I am not much of a drinker, so 4 drinks later, by 4 am, I was ready for bed. Waking up then next morning was a little more difficult than usual, and Saturday was a scheduled workout day: there is no such thing as missing a scheduled workout day! *sigh* I dragged myself to the gym after laying on the floor in a recline recuperation position for a good 3 hours.
Getting through that workout was not easy; I felt like I hardly had any strength and I couldn’t help but lean on the stair mill the entire time.

Okay, first let me log my weeks workout since I seemed to have disappeared for longer than I hoped. This past week has been pretty busy since Manaal and Zoha arrived (Amaani’s cousins and my friends) – so it has been a nice big full house!

On Thursday, I decided to get a 3-day pass at 24 Hour Fitness. I wishhhh there was a 24 hour gym close to me in Vancouver – it is so incredibly convenient!! You can go for a workout at any time! No more worrying about getting to the gym before it closes!

I decided to do a leg workout since I don’t have access to so much leg equipment on a regular basis. Unfortunately, I went during rush hour, and I wasn’t in the mood to wait for high traffic equipment, like the smith machine.
Also, other than having little patience, I find it SO awkward working out at a new gym. It definitely takes some time to warm up to a new gym.
First off, I had no idea where anything was, so I felt like a lost puppy wondering around the gym. And secondly, being a girl doesn’t make it any less awkward. Weight rooms are predominately men, so I always feel like there are wondering eyes, and curiosity as to what this random little girl is doing. Okay…may be that is just in my head, but gosh, it sure feels uncomfortable at times.
I mean, really, it shouldn’t be like that, but gyms are such a weird place – all these people doing these repetitive movements with different props and apparatuses, and the WHOLE TIME, no one speaks to each other.
And even when it’s your gym – the one you are a regular at – it can be so awkward at times; you see the same people SO OFTEN, but never say hello – it’s just weird. All that being said, I love the gym, regardless of its obscure environment.

Anyyyy waaaaayy, so I trained my Legs and Triceps:

Hamstring Curl Machine:
1 X 12 reps @ 115 lbs
2 X 12 reps @ 133 lbs

Leg Extension Machine:
1 X 12 reps @ 52 lbs
2 X 12 reps @ 66 lbs

Straight Leg Press w/ Plie Stance:
3 X 12 reps @ 175 lbs/200 lbs/225 lbs

Lying Hamstring Curl:
3 X 12 reps @ 50 lbs/60 lbs/70 lbs

Triceps Cable Pull w/ Rope Extension:
1 X 12 reps @ 30 lbs
1 X 8 reps @ 30 lbs
1 @ 12 reps @ 25 lbs

Overhead Triceps Extension:
1 X 12 reps @ 30 lbs
1 X 7 reps @ 30 lbs
1 X 7 reps @ 27.5 lbs

Followed by 45 minutes on the Stairmill.

It was nice to hit the Stairmill again after so long, but I can’t say that I loved 24 Hour Fitness – I mean sure, it’s 24 hours, and sure there was a good looking young crowd – but I just didn’t click with the gym. I don’t know what it was. However, they did have an awesome spinning bike, which had TV screens attached to it, and you could hook your iPod up, create your own workouts, or spin to a video of an instructor. The machine showed your cadence, and you could control the resistance of the bike. I was pretty blown away by this neat bike.  I usually cannot – a.k.a deeply despise – using the stationary bike, unless I am in a spin class. For some reason my quads, particularly the muscles above my knee, start burning with lactate acid.

They also had these super awesome quad and hamstring stretching machines. Usually you would need a trainer or someone else to push your leg into these positions, but this machine did it all for you! Neat!!

Hamstring Stretcher

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since I didn’t use the Spinning bike after my leg workout, I decided to go for a 45 minute Spinning ride the next day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And finally, the painful Shoulder workout, which I did the day after the shindig:

Dumbbell Military Press:
1 X 12 reps @ 25 lbs
1 X 7 reps @ 25 lbs
1 X 8 reps @ 22.5 lbs

Dumbbell Arnold Press:
3 sets: 12 reps/11 reps/12 reps @ 15 lbs

Dumbbell Front & Lateral Raise:
3 sets: 12 reps/9 reps/8 reps @ 10 lbs

Cable Crunches:
3 X 25 reps @ 90 lbs

Calf Raises:
3 X 12 reps @ 30 lbs

Double Crunch:
3 X 25 reps 

Followed by a 7 minute warm-up on the Spinning bike and 45 minutes on Stairmill. I leaned most of the way, but I was at level 70 – a little higher that usual.

 

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Training

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

HAPPIEST HUMAN BEING ON THE PLANET!

Posted on May 23, 2012 | 3 Comments

I GOT INTO UBC! THE WAIT IS OVER!!!!!! I AM SO SO SO SO SO SO SO HAPPY!

For 3 months I have been imagining when and where I would be when I got my acceptance letter. I have dreamed, schemed, and fantasized about it so many times. There have been times where I have been out with friends or family, and pulled out my iPhone to check and see, and often thought to myself, “hm…I don’t want to find out in this particular situation” or “this would be the perfect time to find out!!”
When I was getting on my flight to NYC, I was hoping I would find out right before take off – how epic would that be?!

But really, where ever and when ever, it is a damn good feeling!

I was THRILLED!!!

I had actually forgotten to check today – surprisingly since I have been checking multiple times a day – sometimes every 10 minutes!
I had just come home from a manicure and pedicure, slash window shopping at Bloomingdales, and a friend asked me, on Facebook, whether I had been accepted yet or not – which is what prompted me to check.

And ta-DA….

!!!

And then, I screamed and cheered, and gave Mahir and Amaani a BIG HUG! And then called up Mom and Nana, and cheered some more.
And continued screaming and cheering and roaring for JOY!

And then I went to the gym! :)

I trained my Chest today:

Flat Dumbbell Chest Press
2 sets: 12 reps/10 reps @ 35 lbs
1 set: 12 reps @ 30 lbs

Incline Chest Press Machine
1 X 12 reps @ 40 lbs
2 X 12 reps @ 30 lbs

Standing Cable Chest Flye
3 X 12 reps @ 15 lbs

Flat Bench Dumbbell Flyes
1 X 12 reps @ 15 lbs
2 X 12 reps @ 20 lbs 

Followed by 30 minutes on the Elliptical (on average I was at level 9) and 10 minutes on the Stationary Bike (level 5).

Amaani taking pics of me and making me feel silly

And since I forgot to put my Back Workout from Monday, here it is:

One Arm Dumbbell Pull
1 X 12 reps @ 35 lbs
1 sets: 10 reps/8 reps @ 40 lbs

Superset:
Cable Row w/ Striaght Bar - 3 sets: 12/10/8 @ 65 lbs 
Cable Crunch – 3 X 25 reps @ 50 lbs

Superset:
Lat Pull – 3 X 12 reps @ 25 lbs
Double Crunch on Bench – 3 X 25 reps

Rear Delt Raise – 3 X 12 reps @ 10 lbs

Followed by 50 minutes on the Elliptical.

And then I came home and prepared dinner.
We made Panko Crusted Parmesan Chicken Breasts and Arrabiata Cheese Ravioli with a glass of celebatory champagne, and some good ol’ cousin time. Sounds pretty darn delicious eh?! I wish I took pictures!! I was actually going to post the recipe up, but it totally slipped my mind in all the excitement.

Amaani got this new app that does all this cool photo editing – girl’s loving it!

I guess I could still post the recipe of tonights dinner, but what’s a recipe without pictures?!
I am not a fan of recipes without pictures – if it doesn’t have an appetizing visual, it best sound pretty darn delicious, perhaps with something that will automatically get my salivary glands bursting by just reading the name of something I love to eat; like, goat cheese, brie cheese, zucchini, mushrooms, coconut, basil, hazelnuts, pecans, or any nuts really…okay, can you tell I am hungry?! and sleepy for that matter. It’s almost 3 am. I better get to bed!

Sweet dreams :) :) :)

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! happy HAPPY hippppppoooo!

→ 3 Comments

Posted in Training

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

F.I.T.T Principle

Posted on May 23, 2012 | Leave a comment

The F.I.T.T Principle is a fundamental exercise prescription which will allow you to mould an exercise regime to your personal goals and fitness level.
The acronym stands for:

Frequency: How often you are exercising (per week).

For cardiovascular exercise we should all aim to get at least 5 days of moderate exercise (70-80% of your Maximum Heart Rate) each week, or 2-3 intense sessions a week.

For weight training we should aim to do at least 2-3 days a week with a days rest between each day.

I personally try to aim at doing some form of cardio 6 times a week, out of which 3 of those days are intense. And I like to weight train 4-5 times a week, but nothing less than 3 times.

Intensity: How strenuous your exercise is.

For cardiovascular exercise you can gauge the intensity by your heart rate.

Calculate your Maximum Heart Rate by subtracting your are from 220.

Low Intensity (Fitness Zone/Fat Burning) is 60-70% of your max heart rate
Moderate Intensity (Aerobic/Endurance Zone) is 70-80% of your max heart rate
High Intensity (Anaerobic/Performance Zone) is 80-90% of your max heart rate
Maximum Effort is 90-100% of Max Heart Rate

So, for example, my Maximum Heart Rate would be: 220 – 23 (my age) = 197 beats per minute (bpm).
If I was running at a moderate intensity, say 60% of my max heart rate: 197 X .60 = 118.2 bpm.

For weight training intensity is gauged by:
a) amount of exercises performed
b) volume/weight being used
c) sets and reps

If you want to get all precise and pro about it, you can calculate your 1 Rep Max, which is basically the maximum amount of weight you can lift in just one rep. After calculating your 1 rep max, you can figure out your weight range for the amount of reps you plan to do.
Click here to calculate your 1 rep max.
You can also refer to my article on Training Types, to better help you reach your specific goals, whether it is strength, power, endurance, or hypertrophy (increasing muscle size).

Time: How long you exercise (per day)

For cardiovascular exercise, really speaking, we should be doing at least 10 minutes a day, everyday – this is the bare minimum. However, ideally, we should be aiming for 30-60 minutes per cardio session, deepening on your fitness level.

For strength training, it varies, depending on what you are doing in the weight room; for example, if you are doing a total body workout, you may be at the gym for an hour, but if you are doing a 3-4 day split, you might only be in the gym for 10-30 minutes. Just remember, whatever you are doing, it should be beastly! Make sure all your workouts are intense (for your fitness level) and make sure to push yourself out of that comfort zone!

Type: Specific kind of exercise being performed.

For cardiovascular exercise this is basically any form of exercise or movement that gets your heart rate up, so that could be anything from running, to swimming, to Kundalini Yoga, to dancing.

For strength training, it involves form of resistance causing muscles to contract – eccentrically, concentrically, or isometrically – whether you are using dumbbells, cable machines, resistance bands, body weight, kettle bells, soup cans, etc.

The F.I.T.T Principle is a great way to create a pretty solid fitness schedule and routine. It also allows for easy modification when your body starts to adapt, thus allowing us to dodge that pesky plateau stage.
By modifying only one of the four principles, you can avoid boredom and plateauing; for example, changing the intensity of your strength training routine by increasing the amount of reps, or the number of sets, or changing the amount of days a week you train, or the types of exercises being used.
Pretty helpful tool for the novice and the pro!

hahaha

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Training, Motivation

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Basics: The Seven Training Principles

Posted on May 22, 2012 | 5 Comments

In order to create a flawless training routine, one must follow seven simple and basic training principles.
These seven principles are commonly used by the U.S Army: Overload, Progression, Specificity, Reversibility, Maintenance, Variety, and Recovery.

These rules can and should be used in all forms of physical exercise.

Overload
In order to see improvements, muscles need to be exposed to a load greater than normal. Our body has a tendency to adapt very fast; therefore, in order to improve without plateauing, one must (gradually) increase the intensity, duration, and/or volume.

Progression
The Principle of Progression refers to the rate at which Overload is applied.
You do not want to abruptly overload without easing yourself into it – you may injure yourself. And you do not want to overload too slowly, because you may not see improvements. Just listen to your body, it knows best!

Specificity
Exercise must be specific to the type of strength or improvements desired by the athlete (p.s we are all athletes in my books – if you exercise with a goal or desired outcome, then you are an athlete). Click here to see Training Types.
An example of specificity is, if you are a hockey player, you would want to train anaerobically with short bouts of high intensity; perhaps training specific to lateral movements, or specific to speed and power. Certain muscles required in the sport might be trained more heavily than others; like, if you are a volleyball player, you may want to train your triceps heavily, and practice plyometric jumping.

These three training principles overlap and are very much interconnected; they are also probably the most essential training principles for all forms of fitness and exercise.

Reversibility
All improvements and gains can be reversed if you do not train regularly. And the worst part is that it happens pretty rapidly – 30-40% of muscular endurance is lost in about 2 months, and only 10% of strength (phew!). However, on the bright side, muscle has memory, and once training resumes, gains can be regained rapidly. This is where the Principle of Maintenance comes in.

Maintenance
This is probably my favourite principle. In order to maintain your gains and avoid losing everything you worked so hard at, all you have to do is train 30% of what you were doing before – commonly known as the 1/3 Rule. 
Just do 1/3 of what you were doing before and you won’t lose a thing!!!! AWESOME!

Variety
Like I said earlier, our body has a tendency to adapt pretty darn fast, so making sure that you are giving a little variety to all major muscle groups will prevent plateauing and boredom.
Cross Training is something we should all practice! Do something different as often as possible – go for a swim, or a hike, or a spinning class every now and again, to prevent your muscles from getting too used to your regular routine.
If you are weight training, then make sure you change your workout routine every 4-6 weeks!

Recovery
The Principle of Recovery is one which is overlooked far too often; this not only applies to rest between sets, but rest days themselves, as well as proper nutrition.
If you read my article on Training Types, then you know the importance of rest between sets in order to reach your specific training goals.

Rest days are KEY to improvements. If we do not give our bodies at least one day a week to recuperate, then when will it get time to adapt and/or get bigger, better, or stronger?
If we continuously put load on them without a break, they will over stress and either go into a state of overtraining, or just not allow us to push as hard.

Active Rest days are great too. These are days where you do not have to do heavy exercise, rather, you go for a walk in the park, or a Hatha Yoga class – something that involves movement, but nothing too intense.

Nutrition for proper recovery is possibly one of THE MOST IMPORTANT aspects to proper training. I am sure you have read many posts of me emphasizing this particular principle.
Make sure you get enough protein and carbohydrates post workout in order to replenish diminished glycogen stores. If you do not get enough carbohydrates after your workout, I guaranty your next workout will be weak.
In fact, if you don’t believe me then set yourself up for an experiment:
train one muscle group hard, eat a good meal within an hour of your workout, and then record your volume and reps. Next time you train that same muscle group, do not have a good meal within an hour of your workout, perhaps wait 2-3 hours before you replenish yourself with carbs, and then record your improvements the next time you train that specific muscle group.
And finally, come back here and let me know if you think I am full of bogus or if I am full of wisdom :P

Greek Yogurt is an awesome post-workout snack if you are short on time.
Toss it into your shake, or stir in some protein powder, fruit, and/or cereal, or just eat it plain right out of the container!
I wish we got this particular brand in Canada. I LOVE OKOIS YOGURT! Especially the Key Lime flavour. Yum!

→ 5 Comments

Posted in Benefits of, Motivation, Nutrition, Training

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

victoria day weekend wonder

Posted on May 21, 2012 | 2 Comments

This past weekend was delightfully busy – my good friend Atiya flew down from Toronto to visit me in the city, and my cousin Yousuf and his girlfriend Syra made a surprise visit as well! So fun!

There was a lot more wining and dining than my usual routine life, which unavoidably led to excessive spending, and thus, *sigh* I am broke for the next few weeks – BUT on the bright side it’s raining all week and I will definitely not be leaving the house.

This weekend I stayed with Atiya at her hotel, and even though we were so busy gallivanting around town, I managed to get a solid Leg and Triceps workout on Saturday morning at the hotel gym.

they had a rack of weighted barbells, which I think are a rare piece of gym equipment…. maybe that’s because my gym doesn’t have them….hm

The hotel gym wasn’t the greatest since it didn’t have a cable machine or any leg machines (gym essentials – other than dumbbells: cable machine!), but I improvised, and was pretty sore the next day:

Superset:
Overhead Triceps Dumbbell Pull – 3 X 12 reps @ 30 lbs
Lunges – 3 X 12 reps @ 25 lbs

Superset:
Barbell Skull Crushers – 3 X 12 reps @ 25 lbs
Barbell Squats – 1 X 20 reps @ 35 lbs 
                                  2 X 20 reps @ 45 lbs

Bird Dog Kickbacks – 3 X 20 reps

Superset:
Lying Dumbbell Abduction Leg Raise 3 X 20 reps @ 10 lbs
Lying Dumbbell Adduction Leg Raise 3 X 20 reps @ 10 lbs 

After my workout we met the cousins and friends for brunch at 230 Fifth – a beautiful rooftop restaurant by day and bar by night.
We had a killer view of the Empire State Building, which by the way, the entire time I was convinced wasn’t the Empire State; for some reason I was convinced that the Chrysler Building was the Empire State. I also managed to convince all the Non-New Yorkers at our table that it wasn’t the Empire State.

I totally forgot to apply sunscreen before leaving the house; I guess I wasn’t expecting to be sitting directly under the sun, and I burned my shoulders, and got a terrible sunglass tan. I ALWAYS get a sunglasses tan because my eyes are so sensitive to light that I cannot function without them for even five minutes. This is probably the worst sunglasses tan I have ever had though – I look kind of silly with a big red nose.

My love and I

Brunch was WONDERFUL! I had such a lovely time – so happy Yousuf came for the weekend!!!!

All of us minus one, Zoha, who left 15 minutes before this pic was taken

After brunch we all split up.

I ended up in SoHo (again) spending a pretty penny at all the awesome clothing stores! It is SO dangerous going down there because every store I step into, I pull my wallet out.

The next day Atiya and I headed to the Upper West Side; we detoured through Central Park, and ended up at a Sushi restaurant, called Amber, with a KILLER DEAL!

The guy who took this picture had absolutely NO IDEA how to operate a camera.

Sushi is pretty expensive in NYC compared to how cheap it is in Vancouver, but Amber had a sweet weekend brunch deal, where I got a soup, salad, 2 shrimp shumai, 4 sashimi pieces, 1 spicy salmon roll, and TWO DRINKS for only TWENTY BUCKS! Naaaaaaat bad at all!!

This is me 2 drinks deep – tolerance of a school child I tell yah.

After chatting and sipping on Mimosas and Bellinis we headed down to the High Line. I had never heard of the High Line until Atiya told me it was on her to-do list.

The High Line is a fairly new addiction to Manhattan; it was, once upon a time, a railway track that ran along the west side of the city in the industrial district. However, it is now a 1 mile walkway with live musicians, and vendors selling ice cream, popsicle sticks, and shaved ice. They have done such a great job!! They have planted greenery, and (clearly) hired a damn good designer, because the benches and art all along the path are outstanding!

The entire time I didn’t feel like I was in Manhattan – you aren’t surrounded by enormous towering buildings, and you can see the Hudson River off the railing bars – I almost felt like I was in Vancouver, or as Atiya said, San Francisco.

the narcissistic-model-esque-staring-off into the distance was unintentional hehe, cool view though eh?!

Atiya and I met Amaani, Zoha (Amaani’s cousin), and one of Amaani’s friends on the High Line where we enjoyed some PEANUT BUTTER gelato (yum!), and then we walked ALL THE WAY BACK to midtown east – I was SO exhausted!
However, I did muster up enough energy to hit the town one last time – it was Atiya’s last night, so we had to make it memorable! We went out for a divine dinner in SoHo (again), followed by drinks with a couple of my cousins and friends.

at the Crosby Hotel in SoHo

Any way, that was my weekend in a nutshell :) Hope your (Canadian) long weekend was as awesome as mine :)
And I look forward to next weekend because it is a long weekend here in the States!
 

→ 2 Comments

Posted in Review, Training

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

yoga in the park

Posted on May 21, 2012 | Leave a comment

Every Thursday Lululemon has free yoga at Bryant Park and it is the BOMB DIGGITY!!
I mean common, two hundred people gather in the middle of the Bryant Park lawn, surrounded by intricately stone carved buildings and tall glass towers, all simultaneously downward dogging it up!

It was SO MUCH FUN!

The weather that day was perfect; it wasn’t to hot and humid, and there was a cool breeze in the air – unlike todays weather where it is POURING rain.
I was trying to avoid the Raincouver weather of the Canadian west coast, but as per usual, it followed me all the way to New York.

The instructor was one of the best I have ever practiced with, and I am not just saying that.

The first time I ever started doing Yoga was in 2008. I bought a DVD from a Lululemon store and started practicing at home. I then bought some more, slightly advanced DVDs off Amazon.com, and continued to practice yoga in my 380 square foot apartment in downtown Toronto.

I then decided to invest in a membership; I discovered a quant studio across the street from my apartment, called the Yoga Sanctuary.

The studio was located on the third floor of an old heritage building with one of those old school elevators that ran along the vertical epicentre of the building, with stairs that wrapping around the elevator box. You had to manually slide the metal doors open to enter the elevator – once you got to the studio, there were two rooms, one very small room, and one very large room where most of the classes took place.

The floors were wooden, the walls were olden, and there were magnificent plants, and brass statues of Hindu Gods placed arbitrarily against the walls of the room. The room was always slightly warm, which made practice simply comfortable, and there was always a bowl of powder at the front of the room, which we used to prevent slipping on our mats.

This was my first ever Yoga studio experience, and I could not have asked for a better one. I loved how the studio had a simplistic and sort of raw essence – none of this modern spa-esque-hair-drier-infared-sauna-key-locker-gold-toilet-diamond ceiling-bull-sh*t – not to say I don’t enjoy the luxuries of that particular bullish*t, now.

The Yoga Sanctuary had three types of classes: Hatha, Vinyasa, and Ashtanga. I rarely practiced Hatha because I found it to be a little slow; however, I absolutely loved Ashtanga and Vinyasa. I practiced these two styles of Yoga every single day for about two and a half months.

Any way, the point of this story is that the instructor at Bryant Park last Thursday was teaching ASHTANGA YOGA, and I had forgotten how much I love this style.
I don’t know if I love Ashtanga because I learned Yoga on Ashtanga or because it just has a nice flow to it, but any way, I wish the Yoga studio I go to in Vancouver would provide more Ashtanga style classes.

Check out this awesome piece of art:

The street artist made this masterpiece with coloured sand! Cool right?!
I always get attracted to bright colours!

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Uncategorized

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,