Is Yoga Calling You?

I believe very often in life that we attract certain people, opportunities, and situations for a reason. Yoga has recently come into my life, and if it isn’t already a part of yours, I would like to share why you might want to consider giving it a try.

It all started when my left shoulder began to feel unusually tight around the holiday season. While I had full range of motion and could carry out my normal workouts, I knew that my body was trying to tell me something. Along with my tight shoulder, I started to notice that other muscles were feeling exceptionally tense and a bit overworked as well. As a trainer, I know this can be part of the territory. I’m incredibly active, keeping a pretty rigorous workout schedule for myself in addition to assisting my clients with many exercises throughout the week. Yet, so much of what I teach my clients and strive to incorporate into my own life is balance - exercise, nutrition, and soul nurturance all in moderation. And, while having a tight, tense body didn’t feel good, I took it as a sign that my own balance was a little off kilter…

So, a little begrudgingly I began to listen to my body and to what my tightly wound muscles were trying to communicate to me. I began to make some much needed adjustments to my training schedule, creating more balance to keep me injury free and to prevent burnout. And, it was at this time that yoga called to me as a way to honor my body and mind, instead of ignoring both of their stresses.

I had tried taking yoga classes in the past, but it did not resonate with me. My experience this time around however has been completely different. I do believe timing has a lot to do with our experiences, and that maybe I was just not ready to open up to what yoga was offering in the past. All I can say now is that I’m glad I gave yoga another chance because my experience this time has truly been life altering. In just the past few weeks of practice, yoga has opened up my body, mind, and soul. I no longer feel like my body is weighted down with knots. My mind feels clearer, quieter, and calmer. My soul is more grateful.

If you have never personally connected with yoga or if you have not given yoga a try yet, I encourage you to open up to the possibility. While I cannot promise that it will be life altering for you or at least maybe not at this time, there is always the chance that it is exactly what your mind, body and soul have been searching for.

If you are ready to explore what yoga means for you, please check out my latest review of ExerciseTV’s Yoga Sculpt led by Maura Barclay for a convenient in-home option - now available on ExerciseTV Video on Demand:
http://exercisetv.tv/lifestyle/page/2

Wishing you health and happiness always,

Your Trainer, Ashley

Choose Hope Over Fear

I am truly inspired, proud, and hopeful this historic day in America, the inauguration of our 44th president, Barack Obama.

Today in America, we all come together despite our differing views and welcome our new and our first African American president into office.

While many thought this day was simply not possible, a long shot, a pipedream...others dared to dream of different times in this country. And, it is largely because of these hopeful believers that we are celebrating this special, unprecedented era in America today.

Regardless of our political stands, all of us in America and around the world can be inspired by this inaugural day. For we have all heard voices at one time or another, whether they were our own or belonged to others, that said we “shouldn’t,” that “it wasn’t possible,” “that it couldn’t be done.” Yet, today we bear witness to living proof of the seemingly impossible now unfolding into a brilliant reality before our eyes.

So, take a deep breath and inhale the fresh, vibrant energy of change radiating throughout our country and absorb it into your being this inauguration day. Use this breath as motivation and momentum in your own life to knock down whatever “couldn’t” or “shouldn’t” wall you’ve put up that’s preventing your dreams from becoming reality.

I believe that if we choose “hope over fear” as our new president promises, any dream is possible.

Your trainer,

Ashley

What Not to Wear...To the Gym!

Hi Everyone,


I hope you are all feeling energized with the start of a New Year! And, I also hope that you are giving your body the gift of exercise this 2009. As many of you are working on moving that beautiful body of yours more, I would like to make a suggestion that might help motivate you to keep going, and serve as a little personal reward for putting in exercise time...not to mention it may help you to stay injury free. How about updating that Fitness Wardrobe of yours!


Get up now if you can and go into your closet, take a look around, and really check out the condition and status of your current workout gear. Are you still sporting that old "1997 team building t-shirt" from the office retreat to the gym??? Have you been jogging in the same sneakers for over 2 years??? Would you benefit from wearing a heart rate monitor to find out if you're really pushing yourself enough instead of setting the treadmill on autopilot to the same speed every time you workout???


If any of this is hitting close to home, YOU are long overdue for what my friends Stacy and Clinton might call "a fitness makeover!" And you know what - YOU Deserve It!!! Say goodbye to those old t-shirts and worn out sneakers cause it's time to get yourself some new fitness apparel! The best part is workout gear has evolved so much in the past few years - it's fashionable, performance-driven, and can even be eco-friendly!!!


Believe me, YOU and YOUR BODY are worth the splurge!!! And, I am willing to bet you get more out of your workouts too when you treat YOU to a little something new!!! So shop well my friends, and please keep me posted on your wardrobe revisions!


Your Trainer,

Ashley Glasser-Konecky

Decrease Your Belly to Increase Your Life

Achieving a tighter middle will do more than increase your self-esteem and confidence, shedding excess belly fat will improve your health! Reducing the size of your weight will decrease your risk for premature death from heart disease, hypertension, stroke and cancer.

Many factors go into attaining a flatter tummy - genetics plays a key role, along with 2 other biggies - diet and exercise. And while we cannot control our genetics (in other words where our bodies decide to store and lose fat or hormonal changes) we can take charge of what we put into our mouths and how much we move - which in turn will help us shrink our bellies!

If you are on a quest for a tight, toned stomach, start moving now! Exercise has been proven to be the most effective way to burn abdominal fat, helping you to reduce the size of your fat cells - including those in your middle. Cardio is super important because it will help you burn lots of calories and fat. Aim for about 30 minutes daily. Also regular strength training 2-3 times a week is crucial because it will help you build lean muscle, which will in turn increase your metabolism as muscle tissue burns more calories at rest than fat. And remember, while we cannot spot train our way to a flatter tummy, we still need to do exercises to keep our abdominal muscles toned and our core and back strong. So don't forget the bicycle - for your abs that is ;-) A recent study found that the bicycle abdominal move is the best exercise for toning abs!


To do the bicycle:

• on a mat with your lower back pressed down firmly


• support your head in your hands, try to keep your elbows bent and out to the sides


• bring your legs up to about a 45 degree angle


• using a pedal motion, try to touch your left elbow to your right knee and switch sides bringing the right elbow to the left knee
  

How we nourish ourselves also plays a big role in how our middles look, how we feel, and how healthy we are. While many trendy "miracle foods and diets" promise flatter abs, there is no research to back up their magical claims - so please don't waste your time and money! Just stick to the basics - a balanced diet made up of fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean protein, healthy fats in moderation, and low in sugar.

Go get that tummy you've always dreamed of! I know you can do it - keep me posted on your progress!