Mix It Up!

Mix It Up: Take Circus Classes

 

When you were a kid, did you ever threaten to run away and join the circus?  It's a staple of childhood threats and wishes -- the dream of freedom that comes with dressing up in a fantastic costume and performing amazing feats.

Now that you're an adult it may seem a little less feasible to run off with the big top.  But there's no reason to give up on that dream!  There are many troupes around the world who offer classes in everything from trick horseback riding to trapezery.  (I'm not sure that's a word, but whatever…)

In Seattle there are several such as the Anunnaki Project which teaches dance trapeze, fabric, aerial sling, and hoop.  It's as easy as figuring out what you want to do -- become a clown, perhaps? -- and googling [Your City] Clown Classes.  Not only can you have a lot of fun, but you can get a great workout, meet some fantastic new people, and maybe even pick up a side job doing parties or performing with your teachers!  Give yourself the gift of realizing a bit of that childhood dream -- mix it up and take circus classes today!

(Photo taken at the Brazilian Academy of Circus in Sao Paulo by jacsonquerubin from flickr.com's Creative Commons photostream.)

Podcast Suggestion: Yogamazing

 

Yoga is something I suggest to almost everyone; even if you have limited mobility there is a level of yoga for you, and the health benefits are legion.  But not everyone has a class nearby, or the time/money to attend one if they do.  

Enter Chaz Rough, creator of Yogamazing.  I found his video podcast on iTunes, and became an instant fan.  All of his yoga routines are 20-30 minutes long, and vary in difficulty from "perfect for a novice" to "I'm not sure I can do that yet."  

Chaz himself is funny, sweet, and a great yoga instructor.  He encourages you throughout each podcast, and pushes you to improve yourself.  Every one has a theme, such as "Yoga for Rock Climbers" or "Yoga for Abs," so you can tailor your routine to what you're feeling that day as well!

If you're looking to change up your exercise routine a little and try some yoga, mix it up and look for Yogamazing on iTunes or on the web.  You won't regret it!

(As always, I have no affiliation with any person or product I write about!)

Mix It Up Musing: Don't Sell Yourself Short

 

Mixing it up is even more about inward change than it is outward.  Just as you examine what foods you eat, what music you listen to, and where you shop; it is a good idea to examine what you believe -- especially what you believe about yourself.

I have never thought of myself as a jogger.  "I'm not built for it" has been my common refrain.  "I prefer to walk."  "Running can be bad for you."  So many stories I kept telling myself about why I couldn't do it.

Last night, I was feeling anxious and shut in.  Even though it was after 9pm, I went out for a walk around beautiful Greenlake.  Listening to The Streets, I found myself wanting to move faster.  Just like, that I was jogging.  I jogged on and off for at least half of the 2.8 mile inner circuit.  It felt great, but better than the physical rush was the empowering mental rush of realizing that I am a jogger.  

Maybe you're secretly a jogger like me.  Maybe you're a writer.  Maybe you're a social activist, or maybe you're someone who actually likes brussels sprouts.  You will never know until you challenge your assumptions.  Don't sell yourself short by continuing to listen to the same stories.  Mix it up, and examine the stories you tell yourself about yourself!

Mix It Up: Change the Way You Exercise

 

I'm going to start off by saying that if you don't exercise at least a little already; go and do so!  At least 30 minutes a day is recommended for maintaining your weight and improving your health.  

So assuming you already do exercise, why mix it up?  There's a fabulous article at The Bone Architect blog about this very thing.  Briefly, your muscles and bones get accustomed to what you're doing, so it's best to switch things up to keep challenging your muscles to stretch and grow.  An easier way to think of it is that you have hundreds of muscles and bones in your body.  If you just do a single type of exercise (only walking on the elliptical machine or only using the rower, for example), then you aren't actually working out your whole body.  So certain parts will get stronger and more toned, but others will stay weak.

Plus, doing the same exercise routine all the time gets REALLY boring for me.  I can't stand to do the same thing over and over, so by varying my activity I make it more likely that I'll actually do it!

So how can you mix up the way you exercise?

★Try a different type, such as yoga, Pilates, or dance

★Try "variable intensity" or "interval training"

★Include different exercise modes such as cardio and strength

★Try "pre-exhaust training" 

★And when in doubt, walk!  

So the next time you go to work out, mix it up and change your routine!

Mix It Up: Go to the Zoo!

 

If you have young children, chances are you're a regular at your local zoo.  However, when I proposed a zoo outing to a group of friends last month many of them hadn't been for years!  Most cities have a zoo within an hour's drive, so on your next free day, why not visit it?  There are a ton of benefits to a zoo visit:

★Exercise -- walking is one of the best forms of exercise for you.

★Seeing new animals and learning about their habitats -- learning keeps the brain sharp and focused, and you might learn something fun to share with friends and family.

★Getting surprised by new experiences -- I've been to the Woodland Park Zoo many times, but I'd never been to the Willawong Station exhibit until I visited in February.  You can buy millet on a stick for a dollar and get swarmed by parakeets, cockatiels, and parrots!

★Supporting habitat protection and species conservation with your entrance fee -- zoos not only use your money for animal upkeep, but also to help educate people locally and internationally about the need to protect endangered species and environments.

★If you go with friends or family; a great opportunity for social bonding.  If you go by yourself; time to wander exactly at your own pace and maybe sharpen your photography skills.

★Baby animals!!!  Need I say more??

Connect with a piece of nature you may not normally get to experience.  Mix it up and head to your local zoo today!