photo credit: AMELIA SPEED

The time has come to get your happy ready for April. Are you up for the challenge?

1. Go out of your way to help a stranger – In this face paced world, we often witness moments where we see someone requiring assistance but often let up the opportunity to help them as we’re late for something, don’t feel we should help them or even forget that we can help them. This month, find a situation where you have to go out of your way to help a stranger whether it be pulling over to help if you see someone’s car broken down, carrying an elderly persons shopping bags to the car or pushing their trolley, buying a coffee and muffin for a homeless person, volunteering somewhere etc etc.

2. Add 5 more things to your Happy List. For those who don’t know what this is, it is a list of situations, items, smells, activities or any other kind of thing that brings you joy in life away from a computer screen, TV screen or smart phone screen. It’s also helpful to read back over your previous entries and remind yourself of what makes you happy.

3. 5 minutes of meditation 5 times per week OR 10 minutes of meditation 3 times per week. We’re pushing the boundaries on this and moving up your meditation duration from last month. It’s time to allow yourself even more time to yourself to do absolutely nothing but sit and flow with the rhythm of your breath.

4. Start a petty savings jar. I know this will be a particularly challenging one due to varying money situations but sometimes, us ladies need a little something for ourselves. It’s time to have a little savings jar of your own. Feel free to make it a goal jar that will save up for maybe a massage, a manicure or a new little black dress you’ve been eyeing. Either way, gather your loose change from the bottom of your purse or under your car carpets and add it to this jar. Over time, when it feels heavy enough, dedicate that loose change to purchasing something entirely for yourself.

5. Find your inner yogi. Finally, I challenge you this month to either attend one yoga class at your local gym or studio OR find a Youtube yoga video of at least 30 minute duration and get your yoga on. Yoga is proven to alleviate symptoms of depression and make you feel more vibrant and joyous. If you already go to yoga classes, then this will be easy!

Good luck!

In review of last month: How did last month treat you? Did you find yourself denying yourself time to be happy because their were more important things? Was it hard to find items for your happy list? Leave us a comment and let us know your struggles and your highs from the tasks.

Happiness can be a rare thing to come across in this society of stress and sadness. It can be hard to take a minute to yourself to center yourself, find yourself and just let it all go for a little bit in amongst our busy lives and responsibilities. That’s why I present to you a monthly Happiness Guide consisting of 5 challenges that may help you rediscover that joy in life that you so deserve to feel.

1. Take an in-home holiday for 2 hours to 2 days. Taking a break off work is not always feasible for all of us due to limits with time, money and responsibilities. Another way of getting all the refreshment that comes from a holiday is to clear your schedule for an hour, a day or a weekend – whatever you can do. Send the kids to a friends house or away with the husband, push any meetings or girls nights out to next week and allow yourself YOU time. This can mean buying a bottle of red, your favorite cheese and fashion mag and watching your favorite chick flick. It could mean taking a long bath, having an at-home facial, ordering take-out – Whatever! Just LET yourself have that time as though it were a work meeting or other important event that you would feel obligated to attend. Meditate, regenerate and regroup. You and your loved ones will be thankful.

2. Make and add 5 things to your Happy List. I have only recently started doing this but what started as a list of only 10 things has grown into quite a lengthy document. A Happy List is a list (duh) of all the things in this world that bring you joy, contentment and happiness away from a TV, smart phone or the internet. This can include hobbies that you love, hobbies that you miss doing, exercise, playing with your kids, writing, baking, rainy days, smelling flowers, getting manicures – Whether it be an activity, an object, a season, it doesn’t matter because anything that you like belongs on this list. When you feel down or like something’s missing, refer to this list and think of all the things in life that you know bring you joy. If you feel like it, perform some of the activities on it, go buy a bunch of roses (if you like them). Keep this list in a private place and add to it when you realize something brings you happiness.

3. Music Wind-Down for 15 Minutes. For just 15 minutes somewhere in the month, I challenge you to put on some headphones, put your feet up on the couch and just zone out to some good music (Note: Not the radio). Don’t do anything else during this time, just smile, tune out, breathe and listen.

4. 5 Minutes of Meditation for 3 times a week. I will always stand by the idea that people who meditate are happier people. Letting go for that time in such a fast paced world can be hard to get used to but it reconnects us with what’s important. Give yourself that 5 minutes, even if it means running to hide in the bathroom so you aren’t disturbed! In those 5 minutes, breathe in through your nose for 4 counts and out your nose for 4 counts making sure to inhale with your diaphragm (i.e. your stomach should be moving in and out). Bring attention to your breath and the counts and keep as disconnected and unattentive to your thoughts as you can.

5. Have a private chuckling session. Now, this one can be a little embarrassing at first but bear with me. Whenever you are alone, force yourself to laugh like a crazy person and let it all go. It is going to feel very weird but you’ll get used to it. Why should you do this? Well, if you’re not one to really let go and express yourself on a day to day basis then there’s a lot of welled up laughter in there waiting to be set free. One you practice doing this on your own, I guarantee you that you will start laughing genuinely far more. Laughter boosts endorphins and all your other happy hormones plus it tightens your stomach muscles. What’s not to like about that?

So, there lay your challenges. Should you want to attempt one or all of them, then that’s great and let us know how you get on. Happiness is the best gift to bring to someone but sometimes you need to bring it to yourself first to give you the energy to pay it forward.

A happy March to all of you!

Today, after a day full of some personal reflection, I decided to make a different sort of post. I thought I’d spice things up by presenting you all with some inspirational offerings from some of the greatest minds.

Make sure to save the ones that grab your attention because that is probably your intuition giving you a nudge toward an aspect of yourself that may need some healing and attention.

• “It is never too late to be what you might have been.” - George Eliot
• “Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
• “The harder you fall, the higher you bounce” – Unknown
• “We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand” – Randy Pausce
• “Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” – Reinhold Niebuhr
• “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain
• “Feelings come and feelings go. There is no need to fear them and no need to crave them. Let them come, and then let them go. No feeling is your permanent reality, no matter how intense it is.”
• “People were created to be loved. Things were created to be used. The reason the world is in chaos, is because things are being loved, and people are being used.” – Unknown
• “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant.” – Robert Louis Stevenson
• “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is more people who have come alive.” – Howard Thurman
• “Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation. Your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” – Dale Carnegie
• “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.” – Zig Ziglar
• ”Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.” – Benjamin Franklin
• ”Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon ‘em.” – William Shakespeare
• “People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” – Apple Computers

Once you’ve saved your favorites, print them out or write them down and stick them somewhere that you will see them everyday. Read it back to yourself and meditate on what that quote means to you and how you can apply its intention to your everyday life.

Happy self-healing everybody!

With fans including Madonna and Britney Spears, this style of yoga has recently blown up around the world as the place to get your yoga on. It’s called Bikram yoga and trust us, it’s HOT.

What is it?

Bikram Yoga was developed from Hatha Yoga. It is a 26-posture sequence that repeats twice making a 90 minute routine. The catch? The practice takes place in a studio heated to 40 degrees Celcius.

Below are the poses that are performed:

Image via Palter.ca

Why try it?

Along with the usual benefits of Yoga, it is claimed that due to the heat and the sweat being produced, many toxins are released from the body. It also keeps all of your muscles warm allowing for less stress on your body (especially people with injuries) and easier flexibility and movement.

Some beginners tips for Bikram yoga:

• Trial it first. Most studios offer a trial period (either free or for a small non-contracted fee) which will allow you to get a feel fornot only the class, but the studio too. Make sure you feel comfortable and welcome there, otherwise you will not want to keep attending.
• Bring a buddy. Having a buddy to bring along to each session not only makes you feel more at ease in a new place (and doing awkward poses in front of strangers) but you can also motivate each other to keep attending classes.
• Wear breathable workout gear. Many hot yoga participants basically wear a glorified bra and underwear set due to the excessive sweating. You, however, can simply opt for something highly breathable so that you don’t feel like you’re wearing 5kgs of sweat-filled attire.
• Get a hot yoga toweling mat (if you’re looking to do this regularly). Due to the sweat, a regular yoga mat just won’t cut it as you’ll be slipping and sliding all over the place which can be highly distracting. You can also just bring a regular towel with you. At the class, you’ll slowly learn what works best for you.
• Bring a big bottle of water with you to rehydrate yourself after your session and also keep hydrated throughout the day BEFORE you session. DO NOT opt for energy drinks or sports drinks. Water is your best friend! And if you need some flavour, then reach for some organic coconut water.
• Learn your studios rules BEFORE you go to your session. Many Bikram studios have strict rules such as not allowing people to leave the room for the first 30 minutes, or not being allowed water until the 3rd pose. Have a friendly chat to the instructors so you know what to expect.

Alenka has become a recent fan. Here’s what she has to say about her experience:

“After recently hearing all of the amazing benefits of Bikram Yoga, I decided to start taking some classes for myself to see what all the fuss was about. I must admit that during the first session, I didn’t think I would be able to make it all the way through as I have never experienced so much sweating with any other activity before. It’s no wonder though as you are practicing in a room heated to 40-degrees!

Once it was all over, however, I felt so energized and amazing that I continued to attend 6 classes over 10 days. After each class you feel cleansed of any toxins, your skin feels soft and toned plus I feel like I look younger and have less wrinkles. It’s almost like a natural microdermabrasion!

Since my trial sessions, I have now persuaded my daughter to join me 4 times per week and we are both loving it. Not only do I feel more energized on a daily basis but I am more focused, especially in my business pursuits. I am also hoping to improve my knees through my yoga practice due to a pain that still remains from a bad car accident that I had 20 years ago and has always limited me in certain sports.”

Alenka attends Bikram Yoga Gold Coast. Click here for more information on them.

Give it a try for yourself. You’ll either love it or hate it but what have you got to lose except maybe a few toxins? And just remember, the first session may be uncomfortable but don’t give up just because that was hard. Push through that mental barrier and you may surprise yourself and be all that much more healthier for it!

Happy weekend all!