Yoga

5 Easy Vacation Workouts

March 4, 2017 by Asia

Working out on vacation can feel like a chore. When I’m at home and in my routine, I find it sooo much easier to exercise. When I’m on vacation, however, I often find myself wishing I was doing more to stay active. I always feel better when I move my body! For that reason, this post is partially for you and partially for me to get my butt back in gear. ; ) Here are 5 easy vacation workouts that I hope will inspire movement!

1. Run, walk, or hike
Running is one of my primary sources of fitness (and sanity) at home, but I don’t feel comfortable doing it alone in foreign countries. It just isn’t as popular or common in some places. When I do find a running buddy, I pick a safe path and try to get in 5k or 30 minutes of cardio.

If you’re not a runner, why not go for a walk? There are free walking tours in nearly every big city which can be a great way to meet other travelers. I’ve often learned more about a place listening to a local during a walking tour than I have in a guide book. My guide in Medellin was around my age and lived there during the Pablo Escobar years. It was so sad yet informative to hear what had happened to a local family firsthand.

If you’re more of a nature lover or find yourself somewhere a bit more off the grid, find a local hike! It doesn’t have to be an all day endeavor up a volcano or mountain. Some of the best hikes I’ve done have been easy ones with friends.

2. Swim or Surf
If you’re near the beach, a lake, river, or pool (and know how to swim), hop in and go for a dip! I don’t travel with goggles so it’s hard to swim laps. Try these moves instead: run in and out of the ocean with high knees, tread water in a pool, try to swim upstream in the river (if it’s safe!)

Surfing is a really fun activity if you’re looking for a bit more adventure. I have to take lessons every time I go out because I am an extreme beginner, but it’s always worth it.

3. Yoga
One of my favorite workouts, I love how this one can go with you anywhere. Inquire about local classes in the city or see if they offer yoga at your hostel/hotel/resort/private island. If you can’t find a class, don’t fret! There are plenty of online courses on YouTube or check out Cody. They have an assortment of free classes for all levels from a variety of instructors.

4. Ride a bike
Renting a bicycle can be the perfect way to explore a new area and it might not even feel like a “workout” while you’re doing it…You’ll feel like a kid again! Grab a buddy and rent a bike from a local shop or hostel, or go solo like I did when I explored Ometepe Island, Nicaragua.

5. Bedroom circuit
If exercising outdoors isn’t an option, or if you just want to get it over with in the privacy of your own room, try a mini circuit that doesn’t take up any space! There are plenty of equipment free workouts available on Cody, YouTube and Pinterest. You can also come up with your own basic circuit and include moves like burpies, jumping jacks, squats, push-ups, and stretching. Check out this one Self Magazine that I’ve drawn inspiration from! It’s only 7 moves, and they can be done anywhere.

What do you think of these 5 easy vacation workouts? I know I always always always feel better after a good sweat.

What other ideas do you have for easy vacation workouts? Let me know!

Why you need to go to Nicaragua (right now!)

December 29, 2015 by Asia

I recently got back from a girls’ trip to Nicaragua and have never felt more refreshed.

Travel is my passion. I try to get abroad at least once a year and am actively working towards my goal of number of countries visited = current age. (I’m only 2 shy!)

If you’re looking for an affordable place to visit that isn’t too far away from the states, I highly recommend looking into “the land of lakes and volcanoes.” Nicaragua is north of Costa Rica and just as full of natural beauty, but truly, it’s in a league of its own. The secret is out, and it’s becoming more and more popular, so get ahead while you still can!

Volcan Concepcion Ometepe Island in Lake Nicaragua

Here are 10 reasons to visit Nicaragua ASAP.

1. It’s affordable. I generally try to seek out countries that are less expensive than the US when I travel so I can maximize my time there. Maybe one day I’ll choose to spend 6 nights in Bora Bora instead of 16 in Nicaragua, but for now, I’ll take the extended trip with a bit more adventure. I bought a round trip ticket from LAX to Managua for $500. That’s cheaper than a trip to the east coast! The currency is the córdoba and the exchange rate is favorable at approx $1US = 30C. You can easily pay for things like tours and tips in American dollars. Nice hotels cost ~$100/night & there is always the hostel option around for $20 if you’re traveling solo.

It’s $1 to climb to the top of this tower in Granada, but the views are priceless.

Play time is always free.

2. It’s easily accessible. All you need is a flight, passport and a few vacation days. My flight home was direct & only took 5.5 hours. You can definitely see the highlights of Nicaragua in 1 week if that’s all the time you have. My trip lasted 2+ weeks and I was nearly in tears when it was time to leave. I went over Thanksgiving which is the end of rainy season and just before the pricier high season. My friends and I spent time in Granada, Ometepe, San Juan del Sur, and Little Corn Island. Leon and the north are also worth looking into, and I plan to visit those areas on my next trip. We had to prioritize.

Horse drawn carriage rides are a fun and easy way to tour Granada.

The most difficult place to get to was Little Corn Island, but it was my FAVORITE.

3. It isn’t TOO touristy…yet. People like to refer it to as “how Costa Rica was 10 years ago.” I went to Costa Rica 14 years ago, so I guess I’m a trendsetter. (Actually, that was my dad’s doing. I get my jetsetter vibes from him.) There were definitely more tourists there than I originally thought when I heard this, so there’s still the option of doing “touristy” things or going off the beaten path. The locals are quite respectful of tourists as well, and if you tell them you don’t want to buy something, they walk away with a smile and never hassle you. That was a serious breath of fresh air! Have you ever tried to say no to a vendor in India?

My tour guide and I were the only two on this “trail” at Volcan Concepcion.

4. You will experience good vibes. The people. The culture. That Nica lifestyle. All full of good vibes. Nicaraguans are some of the most relaxed and happy people I’ve ever met. If you’re anything like me, you’ll probably start to wonder why you live the way you do, especially if you’re in a stereotypical corporate job, commute during rush hour, and spend $200 on jeans (ah hem.) I actually started to develop a list of reasons why I should stay in Nicaragua while I was there. It’s that good. (I decided not to stay so I can continue to support my traveling habit with my corporate job and see other countries before I settle down somewhere. It’s too hard to pick just one place!)

Yoga and meditation at Yemaya on Little Corn Island

Omega hanging on our porch at Xalli hotel (Ometepe)

5. You can get caught up in nature. Nicaragua is quite picturesque. Las Isletas in Granada. The volcanoes and hiking on Ometepe. The beaches, surfing, and neighboring beach towns of San Juan del Sur. The white sand and blue Caribbean sea at Little Corn Island. The cool air and coffee plantations in the north. The views of Costa Rica to the south. All of it BEAUTIFUL. Oh, and if you like monkeys, you will see a lot of those too!

San Ramon waterfall on Ometepe

Peering over the rim of an active volcano is indescribable.

6. You’ll never run out of things to do. I did A LOT while also leaving ample time for relaxation. Some things worth looking into: climbing volcanoes with varying degrees of difficulty, hiking to waterfalls and natural springs, coffee plantations with petroglyphs, horseback riding (check out Rancho Chilamate!), surfing, hammock snoozing, sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, yoga, meditation, dancing, listening to live music at bars & cafes, eating local dishes & drinking coffee, watching sunrises and sunsets…or whatever your heart desires. The chances are, Nicaragua has what you are looking for in a vacation, particularly if you have a sense of wanderlust and adventure.

Ojo de Agua is a natural spring in Ometepe

Mombacho volcano just outside Granada

7. You’ll learn the meaning of “diakachimba.” This one is hard to explain, but it’s kind of like the Nicaraguans’ equivalent of “pura vida” in Costa Rica – only this one is way more slang & something you would never say to your parents (or so I’ve been told.) I bought a tank top from a local surf shop with the saying on it as a reminder to live in the moment. It basically means “f* yeah!” and both the locals and tourists embody this lively spirit.

Surfing at Playa Hermosa in San Juan del Sur

Welcome to the jungle

8. It’s safe. I traveled with 2 of my girlfriends and it was a breeze. We felt very comfortable walking alone and got around from city to city by hiring drivers through the hotel. Transportation costs can get high this way at around $50-$100 for a 1-3 hour trip, but you can also take public transportation (ex. 20 cents for the chicken bus) if you aren’t in a hurry or going too far. The only caveat is Managua because it’s like any big city with bad areas. It’s the only place we didn’t walk around on our own since it doesn’t have conventional street signs (image taking a right at the cafe, crossing a bridge, and then hanging a left at the yellow sign, etc.) and we only stayed there overnight in between flights. Everywhere else was very female traveler friendly and easy to navigate!

My travel buddies! That’s Ometepe Island behind us.

Granada

9. You will sample delicious local cuisine. I ate plantains every single day in one form or another and tostones were my favorite dish. Picture fried plantains topped with fried cheese! What’s not to like? The national dish is gallo pinto (a mixture of rice & beans) so I had a lot of that as well, usually for breakfast or dinner. It was pretty easy to eat vegetarian, and there was no shortage of fresh, juicy fruit and coconut drinks.

YUM

Yemaya’s juice & smoothie menu. This upscale resort also hosts yoga retreats.

10. You will make incredible memories. You will undoubtedly encounter new people and experiences that will leave a lasting impression. I was so grateful for each day spent in Nicaragua & I would go back in a heartbeat. It’s impossible to describe the feeling, but definitely worth experiencing for yourself. I promise you won’t regret it.

Have you been to Nicaragua? Is it on your list?

Turning to yoga

August 20, 2015 by Asia

Last year I tied a neat little bow on endurance training when I completed my first Boston Marathon and decided I was ready to take a break from long distance running. I never thought my break would continue this far into 2015. This will be the first time in four years that I haven’t run a marathon! I’m not sure how I feel about that, but it’s the way the year has unfolded so far. During this transitional time, it turns out that I discovered something else amazing. I discovered yoga.

On my mat at Yoga Tropics. I love the wooden floors.

I’ve practiced yoga on and off for years but never prioritized it. I used it as a way to stretch and stay healthy during running, Ironman triathlons, and various at home fitness programs which took up most of my time. Today, I find myself going to yoga several times per week, trying a variety of studios, and sometimes taking multiple classes per day! It’s safe to say that this is the year of yoga and it has done a lot for me. The more I learn, the more I want to completely immerse myself in the practice. (Sometimes I daydream of opening my own yoga studio…)

Yoga in the grass at the Wanderlust festival. I felt pretty hippy.

I have taken a variety of traditional and not so traditional yoga classes including hot, vinyasa, asthanga, arm balancing, stretch, aerial, buti, sculpt, and barre. I’ve been inside, outside, upside down, at festivals, solo, and with groups of friends. I get excited knowing that there are endless possibilities with my yoga practice.

Post buti yoga class

Since yoga is very prevalent in my life right now, I have tried to learn more about it. Turns out, yoga has soooo many benefits. More than I even realized! Aside from the more obvious ones of increased strength, flexibility, and a state of calm, here are some of my other favorites.

YOGA….

– Relaxes your system

– Makes you happier 🙂

– Helps you sleep deeper

– Gives you peace of mind

– Encourages self care

– Gives you inner strength

(Source: Yoga Journal’s article 38 Health Benefits of Yoga)

Still need convincing? Check out this article about how important it is to give yourself a break in life. Something that I have taken with me: “The cheapest, easiest, and most portable yoga tool we have is our breath. Simply by paying attention to one breath at a time, you reduce stress, concentrate better, and become more present.” Breathe deeply, friends!

I’ve being using my Wildfire Life membership to take unlimited classes at various studios in Southern California. UNLIMITED! It’s perfect for someone like me who can get on a roll and take 3 classes/day or who wants to only go to the same studio over and over for a few weeks before changing it up again. (Normally I only take 1 class/day but I like to take advantage on the weekends!) To check it out and get 1 week FREE and $10 off a monthly membership, you can use my personal referral link: 🙂

https://wildfire.life/referred/p88n48

I promise you’ll love it, and if you live in SD you can come workout with me! Nicole uses Wildfire too, and we love exploring new classes around San Diego together when we aren’t off running or hiking.

The yoga studios I’ve tried so far in the San Diego area (and counting) are:

– Yoga Tropics: A hot yoga sanctuary just down the street! This is where I took my first ever hot yoga class and fell in love with yoga all over again. I also like to take yoga sculpt, yoga barre, and vinyasa here. I’ve made friends with the teachers and love the community in Encinitas.

Ready for the triple threat: yoga barre, HIIT, hot yoga

Ready for the triple threat: heated yoga barre, HIIT, hot yoga

– Trilogy Sanctuary: Picture floating above buildings in downtown La Jolla with a sunset and an ocean view. This is what aerial yoga is like here! They also offer traditional classes and have a delicious vegan cafe which I am obsessed with. It is seriously so good. I can spend hours hanging out here.

Hello world.

– Sonima Wellness Center: Perfect for beginners because it isn’t heated and they offer a beginner yoga class on Sunday evenings which I recently took my parents to! They also have a juice and smoothie bar and raw vegan food that I am obsessed with. How is it so good?!

Raw coconut wrap deliciousness

– Mantra Yoga: Heated and non-heated classes plus a juice bar in Carlsbad. (Side note: I think I’m addicted to juice bars.) Nicole and I like to come here for the beginner class together since she’s feeling quite pregnant nowadays!

Post class smoothie!

– Vinyasa Arts: This place is legit. I’ve never seen so many handstands encouraged in 1 vinyasa session! One second I was practicing my tuck handstand jumps, the next the instructor had me holding the pose. Success! Classes can get advanced here but it’s very playful and free-spirited at the same time. Located in Cardiff (next to an acai cafe #justsaying.)

– YogaSix: I was really into the deep stretch class in Carlsbad on Sundays earlier this year.

– Inhale: This is a very unique studio in downtown Del Mar with no mirrors where you practice facing each other. You are forced to truly focus on the inside of your practice. So zen.

– Riffs Yoga: An outdoor studio and guitar shop in downtown La Jolla with a Southeast Asia feel to it. (At least that’s my takeaway after practicing a bit in Bali last year!) This is where I tried yoga to live music and that was pretty special.

– Yoga80: I tried my first arm balancing class here in Carlsbad. It’s cool they offer that as a weekly class because most studios only offer paid workshops.

– Core Power Yoga: This was the first yoga studio I tried in San Diego and it has grown immensely since then. This is where my love for vinyasa began!

I still enjoy running with friends and recently went to a run/yoga/brunch meetup in LA with some of my Oiselle teammates. I started 2015 with a run EVERY SINGLE DAY in January as a new year’s resolution with Nicole! Running will always hold a special place in my heart and over time, I know I will find more balance between yoga and running. They both have incredible things to offer.

Oiselle teammates post run + yoga sesh

There is nothing like completing yoga after a stressful day at work or practicing first thing in the morning to get in the right mindset for the day. After yoga, I feel like I can take on anything the world may throw at me and I think it makes me a more patient, kind person. I’ve been going through a lot this year so that says something.

Bali is beautiful.

Yoga is about connection. Yoga teaches you to be present. Yoga opens things inside of you. I truly believe there isn’t anyone out there that can’t benefit from yoga.

Namaste.

Do you practice yoga? What are some of your favorite benefits? Studios?