Monday Motivations

30day

 Well done for making it to 2015 everybody. With the old behind us and the new ready to be painted on the blank canvas, it is time to pick up the tools we have acquired from life’s lessons and prepare our bodies, minds and schedules for the coming months.

February is only three weeks away, which means our 30 Day Challenge is right around the corner! This week’s motivations are designed to help you prepare for a 30 day Bikram yoga challenge, weather it is your first or 5th one. Preparation and determination are key values for a successful 30 day challenge.

How to prepare for a 30 Day Bikram Challenge?
  1. Try to free-up the month as much as possible. Tell your non-yogi friends that you will be a little busier than usual so the pressures and distractions of social life don’t make things harder for you.
  2. Keep hydrated. Drink as much water as you can in the days leading up to the challenge. Add some lemon juice and/or orange juice for an electrolyte and vitamin boost! Lemon is also alkaline making it a great acidity regulator in your stomach.
  3. Fit in a couple of classes a week before the challenge just to get into the swing of things, especially if you have not practiced in a while. Get your head into the zone of the coming challenge and ease yourself into it.
  4. Make sure you have enough Bikram Yoga clothing to last in case you run out of time to wash your clothes each day. A good tip for beating the sweaty odor is a tablespoon or two of vinegar in your next yoga clothing wash.
  5. Getting to class every day can become stressful if you don’t prepare. A good way to keep organized and motivated is to book and treat your classes as you would an evening outing or a trip to the theater. Make it an event. Pick a time for the event, and then work out the logistics. After a week of strict planning – the rest of the month will be much easier to manage. It’s easy if you are prepared!
How to survive a 30 Day Bikram Yoga Challenge?
  1. The first week is important to get right. Don’t push yourself too hard – there are still three more weeks of Yoga ahead of you, so you will need some energy and strength towards the end to get you through.
  2. Keep hydrated! Now that you are in the swing of things, your body will be needing a lot of fluids replaced daily. As you are working out drink plain water only – a lot before class, some during class, and a lot after class. The drinks you make after class should be made with electrolytes and vitamins as well, to help your body replace some of its nutrients after its big daily cleanse. As mentioned before – lemons are great for alkalizing the stomach, and fruits are great for electrolytes. Adding some table salt to your fruit drinks increases the electrolytes even more.
  3. Fruit smoothies should become a daily treat, packed full of fatty nuts, nutritious berries and vegetables and of course some calcium through milk or yogurt. As the 30 Day Challenge gets under way, we will be posting some wonderful smoothie ideas for all our Yogis, to help you get through February in the healthiest, most beneficial and delicious way.
  4. Keep alcohol, stress and chemicals to a minimum. Anything you put into your body, has to come out. During a 30 Day Challenge, the body gets very good and efficient at processing its fuel, but because of the increased amount of performance required from the body, the fuel required is Premium. A well performing body cannot be fueled by empty calories without nutrition. So make a choice, how do you want your body to perform? If you want to make it easiest for yourself – go the natural, healthy and nutritious way!
If you are considering taking up the 30 Day Bikram Yoga Challenge, call us for a no obligations chat today. We will answer any questions you may have, and give you all the details you need. The rest is down to you making the decision and taking the first few steps towards making it happen.

We do these things for ourselves, for a new lease on life. And we guarantee you will look and feel absolutely great!

Visit: www.bikramyogabritomart.co.nz
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Monday Motivations

The New Year is just around the corner and as we look ahead at the potential of what it might bring, we also look back on the things which we hope it won’t bring. Before the noise and festivities of Christmas and the days leading up to the new year start to blend in to one big rush towards the finish line, now is the perfect time to reflect and to set new goals; a time to get out a pen and paper and take the first step towards the achievement of your wildest dreams.

Setting goals or ‘new year’s resolutions’ can be quite a daunting task. Firstly, there are usually so many to pick from it is hard to know which are the best ones, secondly not all of them are achievable in the current time and place, and thirdly, writing down fresh new goals you have set yourself means you then have to work towards reaching them. But having the list is the first step and the biggest one, so do not be afraid to go wild and dream big.

Think back on the year 2014 and honestly ask yourself, ‘how did I do?’ Did you do enough good stuff for yourself? Did you feel like you could have been doing more? Or maybe you felt times when you were doing too much of something; eating unhealthy food, doing unhealthy things to your body, feeling stressed and tired too much, not sleeping enough. Once the questions are asked, the answers start to make themselves a little clearer, and with more asking there will be more answers.

Ultimately we all want similar things from life (love, friendship, money) but health - both physical and mental – is the most important and therefore popular on our ‘to do’ lists, and understandably so. We all know that a strong and flexible body and mind are the required ingredients to any other of our goals being achieved – so starting with our bodies is a very good idea.
The documented health benefits of Bikram Yoga are not far from our fingertips online and through the experience of friends and colleagues, but the best way to find out about Bikram Yoga’s positive health effects is to do it yourself!

This week’s article is not designed to highlight the domino effect of positive changes and decisions our lives start to experience on our Bikram yoga Journeys as most Yogis do, but it is intended at motivating you to push the envelope of good health and vitality even further in the new year. Go deeper.

As Bikram Choudry said himself – ‘It is never too late, it is never too bad, and you’re never too old or too sick to start from scratch once again.’ Keep these words close to your heart when writing out your new year’s resolutions and you will end up aiming higher and therefore achieving more than you ever thought possible.

In February everyone will have the opportunity to embark on another 30 Day Bikram Challenge which is a class of Bikram yoga every day for each day of the month. Our regular yogis have been enjoying and reaping the rewards of the personal challenge for years. Is it your turn to start a new personal challenge? There is over a month to prepare and get organized and set the intentions. Are you ready? Get out a paper and pen and see for yourself.

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Monday Motivations

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 Today marks the beginning of the last month of the year and as Christmas and New Year’s fast approaches, we brace ourselves for one of the most stressful and busy periods of the year. The wild month of December can have negative effects on our bodies and minds, and without a bit of conscious effort to look after ourselves during this period, most of the stress and worry will carry itself into the New Year making our resolutions about fixing last year’s problems.

If you want to truly start afresh this January, Today is the day to make the first move. The 1st of December can be just like any other day – or it can be the day you started the journey to a greater you and a more fulfilling life.

But why Bikram Yoga? Here are just some of the benefits you can expect to see within a few classes:

On the inside, a regular Bikram practice
  • reduces stress levels,
  • enhances our ability to cope in stressful situations,
  • brings us self-awareness and thus better decision-making and
  • strengthens the mind to focus and be positive.
On the outside, a regular Bikram practise
  • tones up muscles,
  • sheds unwanted weight,
  • improves skin’s elasticity and overall health,
  • strengthens muscles, joints, heart and lungs, and
  • makes us more flexible and supple.
Make a Bikram Wellbeing Plan or call it your Summer Yogi plan – have fun with it! This is about YOU living life to the fullest so don’t cut any corners.

The Bikram Yoga Britomart Website has regularly updated class schedules to help you organize the week and pick the times that suit you. Think about what your next few weeks will involve, and make enough room for at least 3 Bikram classes every week – consistency is Key. It is important to choose a good plan that can be realistically stuck to – and stubbornly stick to it! The self-satisfaction that comes after sticking to anything is good enough of a reward – but if you succeed in sticking to your Summer Bikram Plan, the rewards will be far greater and they will trickle over into the rest of the New Year.

Make 2015 unforgettable! Challenge yourself – your best opponent and competition is yourself so use it to drive your achievements further.

Write down your progress throughout the weeks. Motivate yourself to do more to really push the envelope and keep pushing it. You will most importantly feel but certainly also see the results within just a couple of weeks. Taking before and after photos is another great way to self-motivate. Send them in to us! We will supply you with ample amounts of motivation – all you need to do is make the right choice this Month :)

Namaste

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Monday Motivations

6reasons

 1) Improved Brain Function and Mental Clarity – Exercise increases serotonin levels in the brain which helps in regulating your mood, appetite and sleep cycle. According to livestrong.com, “the optimal amount of exercise needed to enhance serotonin synthesis in the brain is 3 hours weekly”. That’s only two Bikram classes per week!

2) Keep Stress Levels Balanced – Endorphins are those wonderful hormones that we all know and love as the ‘happy’ ones. During a 90 minute Bikram class your body releases these hormones which leads to a feeling of euphoria, balance of appetite, the release of different sex hormones and an enhancement of immune response – all of which helps combat the negative effects of stress. Visit stress.org.uk to learn more about Stress.

3) Increased Energy – Physical exercise increases blood flow which helps pump oxygen through your body. Slow blood flow carries less oxygen to your body making it harder to be active and support healthy organs and mental function. During exercise, endorphins are released into the bloodstream which also help boost energy levels. You may experience initial tiredness while your body adjusts to the new physical routine, but once the body adjusts you will have more energy than ever!

4) Strengthened Muscles and Joints – Regular bikram yoga increases joint and muscle strength as well as their longevity. With regular stretching (through the object of pulling) and working of specific muscle groups in a heated room allowing for that extra stretch, you will have less chance of aches, pains and joint injury, especially in later years of life.

5) Strong Heart – The more you exercise the stronger your heart gets because it actually gets bigger, allowing it to pump more efficiently. According to dnaindia.com, exercise helps lower high blood pressure by improving the ability of your blood vessels to dilate, making the pressure on those vessels less. Postures like the Standing Bow, the Balancing Stick and the Triangle are particularly good for opening and strengthening the heart.

6) Weight Loss – During each 90 minute Bikram class, you can expect to burn approximately 1000 calories. Regular exercise also improves blood-sugar levels which helps in staying lean. Within a couple of weeks of regular Bikram yoga, you will notice muscle tone, increased flexibility of your joints and a longer, leaner physique.

These are just some of the positive physical effects a regular Bikram Yoga routine can have on your body. The practice itself is a physical and a mental exercise leaving no parts out – every organ including the brain gets a workout and becomes stronger, healthier and more balanced. Try it out for yourself! 30 days of unlimited Bikram Yoga for only $49.00 – go as often as you want. You will notice the difference :)

Book Now @ www.bikramyogabritomart.co.nz
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Monday Motivations. The Bikram View on Nutrition

nutrition

 Nutrition is one of those words we all know are very important, but only a few of us really know what it means and how to incorporate it into our lives so that our bodies and minds are performing at their best.

Practicing Bikram Yoga enables you to develop a greater perspective on nutrition through building a close relationship with your body and therefore the nutritional choices you make are more aligned with your body’s needs.

The self-awareness that comes with each person’s Bikram Yoga journey is highly rewarding for the body.

Self-awareness is a powerful tool. For beginner Yogis, the transition into better nutrition is almost effortless. How? When you start your Bikram Yoga journey, you also start the journey towards finding your true self, and a big part of that discovery is the realisation that what you fuel yourself with is directly linked to your whole body’s experience and output (including the mind).

Another physical change beginner Yogis are often rewarded with is weight loss; not by changing their diet but simply by practising Bikram Yoga. Around 1000 calories are burned in each 90 minute Bikram Yoga session; multiply that by a few times a week and you are well on your way to healthy weight-loss this summer - or any time of year!

But along with the extra calories burned each week, the body starts to crave foods which will actually repair it and give it nutrition to maintain healthy skin, hair, bones, blood and organs. The body’s cravings will start to become healthier!

Experienced Yogis are well aware of the positive domino-effect practising Bikram has had on their nutrition and therefore overall health. The more you practise the stronger you are on the inside and outside, and you start to make the right food choices based on what is right for your body. Naturally, you will choose nutritious, fresh foods, full of goodness, leaving you feeling alive and energized.

What you might notice: Highly fatty foods will no longer satisfy your evolving body’s needs. You may notice how dehydrating alcohol is when consumed regularly, and putting too much salt on food will have a similar 'dehydrating'effect. Drinking plenty of natural fluids like water will become second nature – so you will start flushing out all the built up toxins and chemicals without even noticing or forcing yourself.

What we recommend: Fruits and vegetables are light and valuable for your body, and can be eaten an hour before class or almost immediately after. Whole grains and seeds are high in fiber and slow-burning carbohydrates which will leave you feeling energized for longer and keep your metabolism nice and steady. Bananas are high in potassium and are particularly good for restoring electrolytes. Nuts contain healthy fats and will keep you feeling full for longer, and their protein is goof for repairing muscles.

The Green power Smoothie

This smoothie is packed full of vitamins, antioxidants and many essential nutrients for weight loss and detoxification – perfect for our Bikram Yogis! Thanks to www.body+soul.co.au

Ingredients
1 cup oat milk
1 cup coconut water 
1 tsp spirulina
2 tsp flaxseed meal
1 tbsp organic coconut oil
¼ cup frozen berries
1 tsp probiotics
2 tbsp organic natural yoghurt
A pinch if cinnamon
2 drops stevia for sweetness

Preparation: Throw all ingredients into a mixer and blend until smooth. Enjoy!

The more you practice the healthier you will become so why wait? Start your Bikram Yoga Journey Today!

Call us on 0800 hotyoga or visit www.bikramyogabritomart.co.nz
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Yoga Clothing of the Week

weoowww

 This week we like it simple and sweet. Teeki love the Earth and we love Teeki! Made in sunny California, this perfect Bikram Yoga top will keep you feeling cool and looking hot.

This and many more great yoga tops and bottoms are available from our warm studio :) 13 Commerce Street, Auckland, Britomart. See you there!

Book your next class here: www.bikramyogabritomart.co.nz
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Yoga Clothing of the Week

lovely

 Teeki have won our Yoga Clothing hearts this week! This floral Yoga top is perfect for your Bikram practice. Get excited about doing what is good for your body and soul, reward yourself with things you love and that will make doing what you love, even better!

Visit us at 13 Commerce Street, Auckland, and check out many more fabulous Bikram Yoga accessories.

Happy Hot Yoga!
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Monday Motivations

mirror

 It is the end of another period of elections and regardless of the outcome - the time is now to focus the energy and attention back on to yourselves. And much like choosing weather to vote or not, nurturing a healthy and more youthful 'you' is also a choice.

Do you care enough about the physical vessel that is your body, the mental vessel that is your mind and the emotional vessel that is your heart and spirit? Do you care about it enough, to put a towel and yoga mat into your bag once a day, or once every second day and go Downtown?

A healthy and joyous life can be achieved through a collection of positive choices, aimed at giving all your 'vessels' the love and nurture they need in order to provide you with a fulfilling experience of life.

First, it is important to bring any energy that has been scattered here and there; weather it be politics or the family or work, and focus it back in to the things that mean something personally to you and your 'vessels' (heart/spirit, physical and mental).

A vessel is a vein or artery that carries blood through the body. But your body is also a vessel, that can carry you through to the achievement of your dreams, and so is your mind and heart.

So the next time you are faced with yourself, in front of the wide studio mirror, take a deep look at the wonderful vessel standing before you. Take a moment to appreciate it for getting you to where you are today, and realize that you are nurturing it and giving it the fuel it needs to become the best performing vessel for you reaching your goals.

Appreciate yourself for making the right decisions in your life; your reflection is there to support you. The studio mirror can tell you a lot about how wonderful you are - yearn to be before it, and do not miss the glow!

Happy Hot Yoga, Yogis :)
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Yoga Clothing of the Week

ycotw

www.onzie.com have won our hearts this week with these colorful yoga shorts. The elastic on the sides make these hot, hot yoga pants a perfect fit, allowing maximum freedom and comfort during your next Bikram class! You will never have to think about anything other than your posture, breathing and how fabulous you look next time the studio mirror looks back at you ;) These will not last long as the warmer days approach, so be in to the studio quick!

www.bikramyogabritomart.co.nz

Happy Hot Yoga!
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Monday Motivotions

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Look out your window, open the curtains, step outside, take a deep breath. The warmer part of the year is upon us! Longer periods of daylight, warmer mornings and evenings, warmer oceans and rivers, warmer skins and complexions!

Do you feel excited about the prosperity of Summer?
With the dawn of warmer, sunnier months upon us, it is important to feel excited. Do you want a healthier body and mind? Do you desire a happier outlook and a fitter and more toned and flexible physique? Any time of the year is the right time to work on ourselves, our bodies and minds. But summer is when our job is at its easiest and most rewarding!

The possibilities to make positive changes and improvements in all aspects of our lives that are opened up with the seasonal change are endless, and it is up to each and every one of us to do our best to make the most of this time. Make plans - write them down, feel excited about achieving them and the benefits that each achievement will bring you. 

When the days are extra picturesque, warm and long; challenging ourselves becomes a harmonious experience between effort and reward. 
Britomart is on the end stretch of Auckland's gorgeous sea-side. Why not incorporate a swim in the ocean after your next Bikram Britomart class? Or a walk along the sea-side?

Utilise this summer to your advantage. Get the rewards you work for faster and enjoy them! Why not pack a beach towel with your yoga mat and head to the beach with some sunscreen after class for a natural tint to your freshly toned and shaped body?
Incorporate Bikram Yoga into your summer vitality fitness plan - the rewards will speak louder than words. But don't take My word for it, better yet, see you in Class! 

Visit us for daily class schedules, 7 days a week : www.bikramyogabritomart.com

Happy Hot Yoga!
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