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      in health and weelbeing

      I Tried Ashley Tisdale’s Workout Routine–You’ll Be Shocked at the Benefits

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      Over the years, I’ve tried many different workouts: spin, running, HIIT, yoga, Pilates, you name it. I’m always open to trying a new form of exercise. But after experimenting with so many different workouts, I started questioning which of them were actually the most beneficial for my body. The reality is that all movement is good, but each of our bodies is different. When you look deeper at your overall health, you can better understand the best type of exercise for you.
      Ashley Tisdale came to this realization when her doctor told her that she had borderline thyroid issues. The thyroid plays an important role in providing the body with energy by releasing hormones and balancing metabolism. Ashley used to swear by CrossFit, but it requires much more energy in short bursts as opposed to a lower-impact workout that may require the same amount of energy over a longer period of time. Short-burst workouts, such as CrossFit, can cause more stress on the thyroid gland. After learning about her health concerns and addressing them with her trainer, Harley Pasternak, they came up with a new workout routine to help balance her hormones. 

      The workout
      The workout is a combination of walking 14,000 steps a day and incorporating low-impact strength workouts three days a week. This workout may sound much easier than a HIIT class, but do not be deceived. Just because it’s low-impact, it doesn’t mean you won’t break a sweat. While there are a wide variety of low-impact workouts you can do at home with minimal equipment, the workouts Ashley does involve a cable machine, a seated abduction machine, and dumbbells. She starts by doing 10-15 reps of clamshells on either side. Then, she moves on to do 10-15 reps of supine cable triceps pushdowns. After that, she does 10-15 reps of seated abductions before moving onto a three-move circuit. This circuit involves 20 reps of resisted hip thrusts, lying dumbbell triceps extensions, and supine cable abductions. She repeats this circuit five times.

      My experience
      I’ve been told by my doctor that low-impact workouts such as yoga, Pilates, and walking are beneficial for me because of my body type. So, needless to say, I was all too eager to try out Ashley Tisdale’s routine. I started the week with a goal of hitting 14,000 steps. (I usually aim for 10,000, so I knew it was going to be a challenge.)
      If you’re like me and work an office job, you can relate to how little time there is in the day to get your steps in, let alone a workout. To make this happen, I decided to break it up. In the morning before work, I woke up a little earlier than usual and started my day with a half-hour walk, which equaled around 4,000 steps. Throughout my work day, I tried to incorporate walking whenever I could: taking a walking meeting, spending my lunch break going for a walk, or simply stepping away from my desk for ten minutes to walk around the office as a mental health break. By the end of the day, I had done another 3,000 steps. After work, I put on an audiobook and went for a long walk. That led me to end my day at just under 14,000 steps. 
      As someone who doesn’t usually enjoy going to the gym, Ashley Tisdale’s strength workouts were a little outside of my comfort zone. I took my time moving through each exercise and found that while the machines were new to me, the workouts were easy to understand. By the time I came around to repeating the circuit, I was definitely feeling the effects and confident about my movements. In the end, the workout took about 45 minutes to complete, and while I wasn’t walking out sweating like I would from a spin class, I still felt tired and sore.

      The verdict
      If I learned anything about getting your steps in, it’s the importance of breaking them up throughout the day. Fourteen thousand steps can feel overwhelming, but by breaking them up, accomplishing them becomes more attainable. I also thoroughly enjoyed starting my day with some fresh air and movement. I was able to go to work feeling energized and mentally clear. But the highlight of trying Ashley’s workout was taking as many chances as possible to move throughout the workday. Sitting at a desk for eight hours is quite hard on the body and brain. By opting for walking meetings and breaks, I accomplished more work and ended the day feeling even better than I had in the past. 
      Ashley Tisdale’s low-impact workout was a great combination of targeting different muscle groups. In addition, it made me feel like I was working my body without the hormonal effects I sometimes get from high-intensity workouts. I didn’t repeat her strength workout three times during the week because I like to switch it up. Instead, I did other low-impact workouts, including going to a yoga class and doing an at-home obé Fitness Pilates workout. In the end, I learned that just because a workout may seem less impactful, that doesn’t mean it is. And, if you’re looking for a way to stick with an exercise routine that doesn’t make your hormones spike, Ashley Tisdale’s workout is a winner.

      Here’s What Mindy Kaling Swears by for a Healthy Life More

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      in fitness and body

      Fire Up Your Workout Sessions With The HUAWEI FIT WATCH 2

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      Picking the right smartwatch to track your fitness can be daunting, we know. You need to consider its compatibility, what type of sport the watch supports, whether the battery will last throughout your workout sessions and if you will have access to messages and important calls. Most importantly, you need a watch that will support and enhance your performance.
      Look no further because The HUAWEI WATCH FIT 2 is exactly what you need. With a sleek and fashionable design, Bluetooth calling and instant message reply, durable battery life, comprehensive health management and fitness tracking, in addition to a myriad of convenient life assistant features, it is the ideal companion. 

      Here are all the reasons we’re loving this smartwatch:
      1/ You Can Stay Mobile And Connected While Improving Your Fitness 
      The HUAWEI WATCH FIT 2 now comes with a built-in speaker. Um, yes please! Whether it is doing chores at home, walking, running, cycling, or hiking, phone call information can be pushed to the watch instantly. You can answer and hang up calls through the smartwatch by tapping the button without taking out your smartphone, providing an effective and convenient experience.
      If you aren’t available to answer your phone, you can quickly reply with a short message. The reply can be customised in the HUAWEI Health App, allowing you to always stay online and not miss out on anything important. You can also reply quickly to messages via instant messaging apps from the HUAWEI WATCH FIT 2 itself.
      Plus, with exclusive fitness animations, voice-guided warm up stretches for common workouts, including running, cycling, and swimming, you can get the most out of every training session. 
      READ MORE: Why The HUAWEI Watch GT 3 Pro Is The Best Smartwatch Of 2022
      2/ It Has A Battery Life That Goes Beyond Your Training Sessions
      The HUAWEI WATCH FIT 2 features a large battery in its compact design. To ensure a comfortable and uninterrupted experience, this smartwatch supports fast charging technology.
      With a 5-minute charge, the HUAWEI WATCH FIT 2 can be used for up to 24 hours. Under typical usage scenario, the smartwatch can be used for 10 days and 7 days in heavy usage scenarios. 

      3/ You’ll Get A Health Manager For Smarter Living 
      The HUAWEI WATCH FIT 2 provides all-round health management such as SpO2 monitoring, heart rate, sleep, stress and breath monitoring to help you keep track of your physical changes. At the same time, with the HUAWEI Health App on the smartphone, it can synchronise health-monitoring data in real time.
      Working out, mental health and sleep are at the core of a healthy lifestyle. The HUAWEI Health App is fully upgraded with the healthy living management, which helps to develop self-discipline workout routine and active health management.
      Through personalised settings, you can receive regular reminders such as health challenges, daily water intake, medication reminders, daily mindfulness, early sleep reminders and exercise volume. It will also send reminders to ensure you practice good and healthy living habits during busy times. We *looooove* this!
      READ MORE: 3 New Functional And Fashionable HUAWEI Wearables You Need RN
      4/ It Is Your Personalised Sports Companion
      Lastly, it is based on HUAWEI’s running ability index (RAI), which can assess user’s ability based on height, weight, age and other physical conditions, alongside historical running data to create a customised personal running plan for every user.
      The HUAWEI WATCH FIT 2 also supports offline music playback meaning you can manage your desired music playback through mobile apps, match different playlists to different sports and enjoy your music anytime, anywhere. 
      If you are looking to enhance your performance while training for your next race or simply want to beat your previous sport’s records, then the HUAWEI WATCH FIT 2 is a great companion. You can connect to all calls and messages whilst on the go, go beyond your scheduled time with the long-lasting battery and track your health with the SpO2 monitoring, heart rate, sleep, stress, and breath monitoring function. What more could you want?
      For only R3 299 you can get the HUAWEI WATCH FIT 2 from the HUAWEI Online Store and at selected retailers. 

      *In Partnership With HUAWEI More

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      in health and weelbeing

      Emotions Might Be Stored in Your Hips—Here’s How To Release Them

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      I’ll be honest: Yoga is not my cup of tea. With my Type 1 personality, I get frustrated over whether I’m doing the poses correctly and have a hard time getting behind the slow pace. But when I do give it a try, I can’t help but let out an audible “ahhh” as I release pent-up emotions with each hip-opening pose. There’s no denying the strong mind-body connection we all possess, and the hips are the window to our emotions.
      Whether or not you realize it, you can hold onto experiences, stress, memories, and trauma in different parts of your body if they’re not processed. This can include the hips, jaw, neck, and shoulders. The good news? I tapped into the know-how of experts to learn why emotions get trapped in our hips. I also learned how to work through releasing them. Spoiler alert: Hip stretches are life-changing. Let the healing begin. 

      How and why do emotions get stored in the hips?
      We can all attest to how our emotions manifest physically in our bodies: butterflies in our stomachs, racing heartbeats, tightness in our chests, rosy cheeks. But why do we feel a significant release when we focus on the hips? “The hips are often referred to as the ‘junk drawer’ of the body because they have the unique ability to store quite a bit of unprocessed emotion,” said Megan Sherer, a licensed holistic therapist.
      “The deep muscles of our hips are closely connected to the adrenal glands, which are responsible for processing our fight-or-flight emotions. They are also our biggest stabilizing muscles and can often clench or become tight in moments of emotional activation or trigger. The tissues in our hips hold onto the unprocessed emotions from these moments as a way for the subconscious mind to remember to avoid that same trigger in the future,”  Sherer explained.
      Considering the hips are the largest joint in our bodies, they bear a lot of the weight—literally and figuratively. They are integral to how the entire body functions. “[The hips and glutes] are responsible for not only the complete movement of our legs in the hip joint, but also for muscles relative to walking, breathing, digesting, and sexual activities,” elaborated Leah Ehinger. Ehinger is a somatic therapist, yoga instructor, and trauma-informed personal trainer.
      “The hip area is associated with your sacral chakra, which holds our creative and sexual energy,” described Sarah Donner, a holistic health coach and founder of Siva Wellness. “Your sacral chakra is believed to be a big part of our emotional world and how we relate to others. When we do not express our wants and needs, the sacral energy can get stuck and cause physical pain on top of an emotional one.”
      That said, you can let go of trapped emotions in a variety of ways. Mind-body practices such as yoga, mindfulness, breathwork, and meditation can help release emotions. Stretching can help with this too.

      Stretches to open the hips 
      1. Pigeon Pose
      From your hands and knees, bring one knee forward toward the corresponding wrist. When you’re ready, extend the opposite leg out behind you, pointing your heel up toward the ceiling. As you inhale, lengthen your spine, draw your belly button to your spine, and open your chest. On your next exhale, slowly walk your hands forward as you bring your chest toward the floor. Then, repeat on the other side. 

      2. Low Lunge 
      Begin in the Downward-facing Dog Pose. Step one foot forward between your hands. Make sure your knee is bent at a 90-degree angle and stacked over your heel. Lower your back knee to the floor and slide the foot back until you feel a nice stretch in the hip and thigh. Keep the hips low and level. As you inhale, engage your core, lift your chest away from the thigh, and extend your arms overhead. Then, repeat on the opposite side. 

      3. Lizard Pose
      Start in a Low Lunge. Then, inch your front foot out to the side, creating a wide lunge. From there, take your back knee off the floor and plant your hands or forearms on the floor beside your front foot. Keeping your chest forward, navel in, and back leg extended, hold the pose for 10 seconds. Then, repeat on the opposite side. 

      PSA: Stress Can Mess With Your Vaginal Health More

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      in fitness and body

      A Battery That Has Your Back, Literally

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      FAQ: How long will my Garmin smartwatch battery last?
      Answer: Longer than most other smartwatch brands — that’s for sure! If you find yourself charging your smartwatch overnight, regularly, then know that your smartwatch is falling short. A smartwatch battery life that only lasts a day — or even just a couple — means that you’re missing out on  accurately tracking your body’s physiological metrics. 
      We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but eeerrr…a smartwatch that spends more time in the charger than on your wrist gives a less accurate picture of your overall health and fitness status — not to mention that you’re missing out on the smart notifications you’ve come to rely on.  
      READ MORE: The Garmin Forerunner 255 Series Is A Perfect Match For Racing Addicts
      The Venu SQ gives you 5 days of battery life before having to recharge.
      Luckily, you have a reliable friend in Garmin smartwatch batteries. They last a long time, and we mean a long time! At minimum, you should be getting up to 5 days of battery life before having to recharge (Venu SQ) — and up to 50 days maximum. (Yep, you read right – the Garmin Enduro™ for instance, boasts up to 50 days in smartwatch mode — or 65 if you’re using solar charging.) It all depends on the features that matter most to you and the smartwatch that’s a great fit for your lifestyle!
      The Garmin Enduro™ boasts up to 50 days of battery life in smartwatch mode
      *In Partnership with Garmin More

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      in fitness and body

      3 New Functional And Fashionable HUAWEI Wearables You Need RN

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      PSA! Three new HUAWEI functional wearables are now available in South African stores and HUAWEI’s online store, ready for you to up your fitness and fashion game.
      The HUAWEI WATCH FIT 2, the HUAWEI Band 7 and HUAWEI WATCH GT 3 Pro are a milestone in the evolution of fitness and health wearables devices. 
      The two smartwatches and fitness band maintain the quality of high-end luxury watches in terms of design and materials, come with an incredibly long battery life and a host of advanced features to help users discover new ways to live a healthy and active lifestyle. 
      These Are The 3 Wearables Guaranteed To Be Your Fitness BFF:
      The HUAWEI WATCH FIT 2: The new fashionable smartwatch to impress you  

      HUAWEI’s WATCH FIT 2 comes with a 1.74-inch AMOLED HD HUAWEI fullview display that is 18.6% larger than that of the previous iteration. The smartwatch screen-to-body ratio also stands tall at 72.2% meaning you get an amazing viewing experience.
      When it comes to its fashionable look, the HUAWEI WATCH FIT 2 comes with a variety of straps. Yes, please! There is a soft and comfortable rubber strap and an exquisite and elegant leather strap. All these straps come in a variety of colours and styles. That’s not all — the HUAWEI WATCH FIT 2 features a press-to-release “link” design, which allows you to quickly change your straps without the use of any tools.  
      Staying connected is inherent in your HUAWEI smartwatch. Thanks to the bluetooth call feature, speaker and microphone, you can stay in touch with colleagues and your loved ones. No matter where you are, your phone calls can be pushed to your watch instantly. You can answer and end calls through the smartwatch without taking out your smartphone. If users are not available to answer the phone, they can quickly reply in the form of a short message with one tap. The reply can be customised in the HUAWEI Health App, allowing users to always stay online and not miss anything important. Users can also reply quickly to messages via instant messaging apps from the watch itself. The HUAWEI WATCH Fit 2 is packed with battery power that can last up to 10 days, 
      The HUAWEI WATCH FIT 2 also provides all-rounded health management such as SpO2 monitoring, heart rate, sleep, stress, and breathing monitoring to help you keep track of your physical changes. At the same time, with the HUAWEI Health App on the smartphone, it can synchronise health-monitoring data in real time, allowing you to keep an eye on your physical and mental health. What more could we ask for?!
      READ MORE: The 7-Minute Fat-Blasting Workout That’ll Tone All Over
      The HUAWEI Band 7: The Ultra-thin fullview smart band to power your endurance levels 

      The ultra-thin smart band with a long battery life comes with impressive health management and workout monitoring features. This stylish wearable is for both the young millennials and always on-the-move fitness enthusiasts (okay, that’s us!) The HUAWEI Band 7 is only 9.99mm thick and weighs just 16 grams which makes the smart band a whole lot more comfortable to wear while doing your favourite activities. 
      It provides a slew of health management features, like monitoring of SpO2, it also boasts HUAWEI TruSeen™ 4.0 a heart rate monitoring technology. Thanks to the HUAWEI TruSleepTM 2.0 technology, the band can assess sleep quality without disturbing the user’s sleep, and accurately identifies six types of typical sleep problems. Lastly, the HUAWEI TruRelaxTM technology will help you keep an eye on your stress levels, and the band will remind you to do breathing exercises to release stress when needed.
      In order to meet your fitness goals, the HUAWEI Band 7 comes with an expansive range of fitness features to kick-start an active lifestyle. The smart band uses TruSport™ algorithms to measure the training index of runners, and the running ability index (RAI) can tell you a great deal about your endurance level and the efficiency of your running technique. 
      READ MORE: So Many Of Us Get Knee Pain Running – Here Are 5 Possible Causes + What to Do About Them
      The HUAWEI WATCH GT 3 Pro: Where Tech meets elegance on your wrist

      This watch is an elegant and everlasting masterpiece. It emulates the look and feel of classic luxury watches with its signature Moon Phase Collection, therefore, stuns with its premium ID design. It comes in two variants: Titanium Edition and Ceramic Edition, which are both finessed with state-of-the-art craftsmanship.
      In terms of health, the HUAWEI WATCH GT 3 Pro series supports ECG (Electrocardiogram) data collection, which can accurately provide single-lead ECG measurements, real-time analysis, sinus rhythm and atrial fibrillation detection, and premature atrial and ventricular beat reminders for users and supports arterial stiffness detection, allowing you to actively prevent the risk of vascular diseases. The HUAWEI WATCH GT 3 Pro series can also provide continuous, real-time, and accurate SpO2, sleep and stress monitoring features for comprehensive health management. The latest HUAWEI TruSeenTM 5.0+ increases the data processing capacity by four times, reducing the signal loss rate, and improving the accuracy of heart rate and SpO2 monitoring. 
      Our Verdict:
      After looking at all three, it is evident that these three wearables come with exceptional features. With a lasting battery life and advanced fitness and health management features, it’s clear that they are in a league of their own.
      Where To Get One:
      All three fitness trackers are now available in South Africa. You can get the HUAWEI WATCH FIT 2 from R3 299, the HUAWEI Band 7 from R1 699 and the HUAWEI WATCH GT 3 Pro from only R10 999 from HUAWEI’s Online Store or at selected retailers. 
      *In Partnership with HUAWEI More

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      in lifestyle and culture

      Strengthen your core in the comfort of your home with this online platform

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      Lifestyle

      by Amy Sessions
      3 hours ago

      Bryony Deery, Founder of The Platform, takes us through her tips to get beach ready.
      What do the first 30 minutes of your day look like at home and how does this differ on vacation?
      During the week I wake up between 5:45-6am, drink a big glass of water and then head downstairs to make my collagen matcha using Enso matcha and Dose & Co Dairy Free collagen. I then take it back up to the bed, I love this me-time. I like to begin my day with a meditation and afterwards, I grab my journal and write my to-do list, my intentions for that day and any thoughts/feelings that come up during my meditation practice. There is something so powerful about early mornings and it’s crucial for me to have an hour to myself before I start my first client at 7am. My routine fits in around the type of vacation I’m on depending on the time difference and whether I have later evenings etc but generally the mornings start in the same way with my mind and body routine followed by a later breakfast. I want to feel my best on holiday and daily movement and mindfulness helps me achieve this. I am less strict on holiday but I like to alternate Pilates with morning walks.
      Can you take us through your top de-bloating tips to be beach ready?
      For me being beach ready is more of a mindset and feeling confident and comfortable in my own skin. Naturally, if I am doing Pilates and meditating my cortisol levels are reduced and therefore I have less inflammation in my body and tend to feel less bloated. On the days thatI am suffering from bloating I have a video on my app that are my go-tos for debloating, perfect for that time of the month andit really does work! Focusing on my gut health is a daily non-negotiable but drinking lots of water, cutting out excess salt, dry brushing and lymphatic drainage massage are all pre-holiday essentials for me.
      Do you exercise each day on vacation and if so when do you carve out time for this?
      I naturally like to always stay active whether I am on holiday or at home. I like to do Pilates first thing before breakfast and then tend to do a walk after breakfast and sometimes again at the end of the day. Walking along a beach with a podcast is pure heaven and such a magical way to start the day and boost your mood. We can all find reasons not to find the time but I am disciplined on this and always make sure I invest in myself and my mental and physical health and schedule the time in each day. I love how Pilates is so easy to do anywhere whether you’re in your hotel room, on the beach, or on a balcony.
      How long have you been using body gua sha and skin brushing and what effect have you seen from implementing these practices?
      I have been body brushing for years! I could talk about the benefits all day long. It helped me with water retention, bloating, detoxing, and skin elasticity and it makes me feel alive before a cold shower in the morning. I love to use my body gua sha to aid in lymphatic drainage and release any buildup there. I do this twice a day and it has become a staple in my bathroom routine.
      How often should we be doing this?
      Once a day minimum. Every day, no excuses!

      What are your go-to products for sun protection as in face, body and hair?

      I never put my face in the sun, I wear a huge hat, sunglasses and sit with my face and chest in the shade. I want to avoid sun damage as much as I can. I use Eurcerin oil control SPF 50 on my face and I like Institut esthederm or ultrasun for my body. Pre-holiday I swear by Amanda Harrington fake tan for the body and tan luxe for the face. Buy both now and thank me later.
      Are you a light packer or a heavy packer and are there any go-to pieces you always pack for vacation?
      I like to pack by outfits so I know I have the right looks for each occasion but then will also add a few extra pieces that I know will go with everything. I always pack a blazer for colder evenings, a comfy but cool pair of trainers that can double up for travel and workouts, oversized shirts that I can wear on the beach over bikinis, Hermes Oran sandals for day-to-night looks and I’m a real fan of maxi skirts as I find them so elegant and flattering with a crop top or bodysuit. My real secret must-have for packing is Muji packing cubes, they are incredibly functional and make unpacking the dream. I am militant when it comes to packing and travel.
      Travelling can disrupt our routines. How do you ensure you maintain your habits?
      By reminding myself that routine is what makes me feel good and asking myself how I want to feel today. I know that my daily rituals are what makes me feel grounded, at peace and healthy. The book Atomic Habits is one of my favourites and a book I recommend to all of my friends. I really believe that staying consistent with small daily habits amount to a big shift in your day and week!
      You recently launched Pilates By Bryony The App – do you find there is a huge demand to work out remotely and what made you take the leap?
      Without a doubt. Since COVID-19 there was a big shift in our attitude towards home workouts. People saw that they could achieve results at home, save time and money on gym membership fees, and fit the sessions in around their home life. There has absolutely been an increase in online fitness, I started with 15 people joining my zoom classes and I am now able to connect with people all over the world via the app. I feel so happy and fulfilled knowing that I can reach so many people and help in some way with their mental and physical well-being.

      “Drinking lots of water, cutting out excess salt, dry brushing and lymphatic drainage massages are pre-holiday essentials for me.” 

      What have been the biggest challenges to date and how did you overcome them?
      Having a scalable platform for lots of users in- evitably has its challenges but I am a firm believer that there is always a way to figure it out and lessons to learn along the way. I am lucky to have a team of incredibly talented people that have been invaluable to me, especially in the last few months. My meditation practice has changed me as a person and in these stressful times I manage to stay relatively calm and positive and tell myself that there is always a solution. Without meditation, I wouldn’t be able to deal with the stressful situations that building a business can bring so I am very grateful for that.
      How have you found social media in terms of supporting brand growth?
      It’s almost impossible to build a brand in today’s climate without having a social media presence and it is a key driver for growth in the online fitness industry. It is also a brilliant business tool and allows you to access insights into your audience and speak directly to the consumer. It still blows my mind how quickly a business can grow based on one key share of a story.
      How do you approach scaling without compromising on quality?
      Scaling a subscription business should never impact quality. I strive to improve the quality as I scale and really listen to my audience. It was harder to deliver quality before launching The Platform because the growth was quicker than I had expected, so I had to figure it out and find a way to grow and develop with demand. I am always read- ing books on startups and businesses as I love to learn.
      This is The Summer Escape Issue – where would you like to escape to this summer?
      With the nature of the business, it can be difficult to completely switch off and escape but I am hoping to really cut down in August and go to Mykonos. I’d like to spend more time in the sur- rounding Greek islands as they look so beautiful and undiscovered. Last summer I worked non stop so the aim of this summer is to work smarter and have more balance when I am away.
      July/August’s – The Summer Escape Issue – Download Now
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied  More

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      in health and weelbeing

      I’m a Yoga Instructor and These Are the Only Poses You Need for a Strong Core

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      As a yoga instructor and fitness fanatic, I know that a strong core is essential for both your exercise routine and daily life. However, most of my students don’t want to spend an entire yoga class working on abs, and I don’t blame them. The good news is you only need a few poses for a phenomenal abdominal workout. Below are my three go-to yoga positions to develop a strong core. 

      1. Plank

      On mornings when I don’t have time for sun salutations, I still squeeze in a minute of planking after a quick stretch. That’s because this popular pose works all four muscle groups in your core, making it my go-to move. These muscles include the rectus abdominis (your “six pack” muscles), transverse abdominals (your deep core muscles), and the external and internal obliques (the outermost muscles on each side of your core). In other words, adding this single pose to your exercise routine can seriously elevate your ab game. 
      You’re likely already familiar with this exercise, but implementing a few tweaks to it can make it more effective. First and foremost, make sure your hips aren’t sagging and your booty isn’t sticking out. Your body should be a straight line from your heels to your shoulders. To prevent a strained neck, don’t look up. Instead, gaze at a spot on the floor about a foot in front of you, keeping your neck neutral. Lastly, if you feel tension in your lower back, you’re probably not properly engaging your core. To fire up your abs, imagine pulling your belly button to your spine. 

      2. Cobra 

      When I have time to warm up my spine with some cat-cow stretching, I like to incorporate cobra pose into my practice. On the surface, cobra may look like any other stretch. However, it’s a great way to strengthen your core and spine when done correctly. If you’re anything like me, you spend too much time looking down at your phone or laptop. Over time, this can take a toll on your posture and cause back pain. Cobra pose helps counter the effects of poor posture by encouraging proper spinal alignment and relieving pressure from your lower back. This enables you to keep your spine erect throughout the day, relieving back pain and engaging your core even when you’re off the mat. 
      To practice cobra pose, start lying down on your stomach with your hands under your shoulders and your fingers spread wide. Your elbows should point straight back and remain close to your body. Press your pubic bone and tops of your feet into your mat, engaging your thighs and rotating them inward. On your next inhale, lift your chest off the floor, keeping your shoulders down and opening your chest. Look forward and pull your belly button to your spine to feel engagement through your core. 

      3. Boat Pose with a Twist 

      If I’m feeling a high-energy core workout, I like adding movement to traditionally still poses. My favorite sweat-inducing variation is boat pose with an oblique twist. While this move strengthens your entire core, it forces you to focus on your obliques. This helps improve your balance and protects your spine when twisting your torso doing everyday activities, like reaching across your body for a cup of coffee. 
      To try this pose, sit on your mat with your legs extended out in front of you. Lean back slightly, keep your back straight, and lift your legs off the floor. From there, you can either keep your knees bent with your shins parallel to the floor or extend your legs to a 45-degree angle for a more intense core burn. Keeping your chest lifted and your core engaged, bring your hands into a praying position. From here, twist side to side, gently tapping alternating elbows on the mat.

      5 Inexpensive Ways To Become a Pilates Girl at Home More

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      in fitness and body

      How You Can Join The Nedbank Running Club That’s Improving Mental Health In SA

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      So you want to join a running club? Maybe you want to get active? Find your running tribe? Or do something that improves your mental health? We’d like to introduce you to Nedbank Runified.
      Nedbank and the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) are running for better mental well-being in South Africa. Here’s everything you need to know:
      What’s Happening?
      Every day during August and September, Nedbank Runified, Africa’s biggest virtual mass participation race, will challenge South Africans around the country to run in support groups to encourage better mental well-being.
      Nedbank Runified group runs, led by athletes, mental health advocates and running enthusiasts like Zinhle Masango, Amy Hopkins, Nicola Schreuder, Nombulelo Mgabadeli and Tumi Sole, will take place in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban with at least one run every day between August and September 2022. Anyone can participate, and these group runs will be followed by a national mass participation Strava challenge during Mental Health Month in October.
      What Is Nedbank Runified?
      Originally launched as a proactive response to fight the societal effects of Covid-19, Nedbank Runified was a movement to instil a sense of ‘togetherness’ when South Africans were forced to be apart, with running as the catalyst. With over nine million kilometres run by more than 225 000 participants, the Nedbank Runified virtual series became a source of mental relief for many South Africans during the national lockdowns.
      ‘As the nation moves on post the national lockdowns, there is a natural evolution and a new meaning to Nedbank Runified, one which serves to bring South Africans together to address mental health, a serious healthcare issue that is impacting society’, says Nthabiseng Matshekga, Executive Head for Group Marketing at Nedbank.
      ‘The mental health crisis existed long before the Covid-19 pandemic but intensified during lockdown. Currently, mental health in South Africa is one of the worst in the world, with one in three South Africans battling with their mental health,’ says Cassey Chambers, Operations Director at SADAG. ‘It is scientifically proven that exercise, particularly running, improves mental health and reduces depression, stress and anxiety. As we approach Mental Health Month in October, we are immensely excited to partner with Nedbank through Nedbank Runified to raise awareness and drive education on this issue’.
      Why Run For Mental Health?
      Now in its third instalment, Nedbank Runified will combine virtual and physical running challenges to rally around a very real issue in our country – mental health. This running challenge, in partnership with the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), aims to demonstrate that running (particularly in groups) can reduce stress, depression and anxiety.
      ‘Nedbank has been involved in running for decades, and we are proud to use the Nedbank Running Club as a vehicle, coupled with relevant partnerships, to create a lasting impact in the communities we serve. SADAG’s expertise is vested in helping people throughout South Africa with their mental health and is an invaluable part of our community. We are proud to partner with them to help drive the movement for better mental health’, says Matshekga.
      How Can You Join?
      To find out how you can join Nedbank Runified in your city, join the Nedbank Running Club on Strava or search #NedbankRunified or #MoreThanAClub on social media.
      The Nedbank Running Club is more than a club and welcomes runners of all fitness levels to unify through running. It is time to Runify around mental health, and take the first step towards a happier, healthier South Africa.
      How Is WH Getting Involved?
      Here at Women’s Health we believe being healthy involves every element of your life. In fact, it’s why we strive to give our readers all the resources they need for their wellness journeys; whether that’s in the gym, on the yoga mat, in the kitchen, with a journal in hand or by hitting the road.
      We’ll be showcasing May/June Women’s Health Cover Star Caley Jack and Nombulelo Mgabadeli as they take on Nedbank Runified. We’ll even be joining in on the runs around South Africa ourselves. Make sure to follow us on Instagram (@womenshealthmagsa).
      *If you or your loved ones are battling with mental health challenges, there is hope. Visit sadag.org or call 0800 567 567 in the event of an emergency.
      *In Partnership with Nedbank More