Monthly Archives

January 2017

10 tips to become more optimistic

This is a blog about two things, some Bodysculpting excercises and also reflections about optimism. About seeing possibilities. Even when its poring down. I am intuitively ready for any kind of weather. I want to join and play and explore. I was born like this. Still as a role model for your kids its also about taking an active choice. Do you see the possibilities?

Rainy days are also days

I found great inspiration in Dr Martin E Seligman´s ABCDE: Learned Optimism: How to Change your Mind and your Life. You can order the book at Amazon if you wish to lean more.

What type are you? Are you one usually answers NO, and see challenges, uphills and negativity when you are about to solve a problem?

Optimisme is a competence which can affect your whole life, your relationship to yourself, your loved ones, your work and even your health. Can you imagine how good it feels when you approach a challenge with positivity and wonder instead of saying NO. In most cases we are not sad because we tried.

Yesterday the sun was shining and it was really a flipflop beach day. I coreographed new Bodysculpting classes on the beach. It was a great feeling spending retime like this.

I will share a few excersises -low-impact and toning, challenging your fleksibility and endurance. Further down under all these pics I am sharing 10 strategies to practice to become more optimistic.

1: Bridge Butt Dip, 20 reps.Feel free to stretch your right leg when lifting!

2: Sideplank Leg Kick – 20 reps – foot to 90 gr lift and lower:

Well, I didn´t complete the class but the day after I did add a cardio sequence. It was pooring down( 40 mm). I wore an extra wool scarf and sweater, but I had so much fun in the rain.

3: Diagonale lunges with arm swing, 30-45 sec

4: Plankjump, alternating each leg and make a little jump from the ground-30-45 sec.

Obviously not all days are like this where I see all the possibilities. But I did make an active choice to work on 6 thing to become more innovative:

open to new thoughts and ideas
see possibilities
dare
encourage others to dare
be adventurous
think I will succeed

What characterizes an optimist?

He/she is seeing solutions, not to strict about beeing perfect, one step at the time. Visualizing the success and thinking about a positive outcome. Like some athletes. Michael Jordan once said he would never start a game without having visualized it first.

Where does our optimisme come from?

Er den lært eller er den medfødt? For noen er den en medfødt gave, for andre er det en holdning man kan innta, lære, ta eierskap i og praktisere. Her deler jeg noen strategier fra Dr Martin E Seligman´s bok som du kan øve på om du ønsker mer optimisme i din hverdag:

Surround yourself with positive people and stay away from the complainers.
Cultivate your own strength and focus on what you do good instead of your weakness.
Work on your self-development and og spirituality – through words and experiences and gratitude.
Ignore the things you cannot change and focus more on what goes on inside of yourself
See things from a new point of view for ex where something seems negative look for the positive
Adjust your language when you answer YES BUT, you could say YES AND ..
Move the focus from yourself and inspiring people and projects
Expect succes from your colleagues and encourage them
Be spontanous and open to do some fun things getting out of your comfort- zone
Think about the health advantages – statistics claim that optimistic people have better health and immunity

In other words its pretty cool to train yourself to have a more YES and CAN MAKE IT – attitude in life. I am quoting Winston Churchill:

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.

Here are also 3 good exercises for better life balance:

Øvelser for bedre selvfølelse

See the opportunities,

Best, Monica

Source: Dr Martin E Seligman´s ABCDE: Learned Optimism: How to Change your Mind and your Life.

Clothes on the sunny day pics Casall @casalltraining

23. January 2017 0 comment

Spirituality Video workout

chakral cleansing before workout

written by Monica Øien

After 1/2 year of working with Lani Reagan where she is teaching me how to understand the Chakras and incorporate them into my work- It`s time to get more practical and even include you in the world of spirituality. It is helping me find deeper peace and more fulfillment while living a very busy life. I know you are all so busy so our videos are short and designed for easy practice. Heres to creating more harmony and greater connection with ourselves, our families our communities and with the world.

What is the purpose of this sequence, Lani?

All parts of the body need access to clean prana-chi, not just the areas where the main chakras reside. Energy veins called meridians run throughout the body, including the joints and the delicate areas like the eyes, sinus passages and the brain. This sequence helps to dislodge congested energy that slows down the flow of prana which decreases the body’s natural regenerative powers. Removing this energy creates space for more life force to revivify and revitalize these areas.

How often should one practice this cleansing?

This can be practiced daily as a means to get the overall energy flowing through your body. While it’s recommended to do before a workout or a meditation session, it’s also great for a little mid-day booster along with your favorite dance song. I have also used this to quell light headaches, as headaches can simply be a little too much congested prana around the head and solar plexus.

What would you say to people who cannot feel any energy, does it still work and how?

Most of us are not that aware of gravity or other unseen natural forces. Much like our cell phones we cannot detect the forces behind the material form, but it doesn’t keep us from using the technology to benefit from it. So too, even if one cannot feel any energy, using the practice can render results if one pays attention. Practice awareness and intelligent evaluation when doing the exercises. Since I already have case after case of these principles working, I can say, even if you cannot sense it, using the techniques has already helped many people, including myself. So practice and experiment for fun and keep it light. As well, stay open and receptive.

If you would like to learn more about Lani Reagan check here:

http://www.dynamichealingtherapies.com

Follow this easy to do routine preparing you for the best workout:

Hope you found this meaningful to do before any workout, pilates, yoga or body training,

Best wishes Monica

22. January 2017 0 comment

Spirituality workout

Gratitude training

written by Monica Øien

I have been part of a yoga challenge lately where we would post a picture on instagram and write about things we fell grateful about. And because I am currently studying the Chakras I felt like sharing some thoughts. Sometimes it is a bit difficult to feel and see what to be grateful about, other days its easy. The days you really struggles it might be smart to start with your breathe focusing on little positive thing and you might feel gratefulness arising, spreading around in your body a tiny bit. One good emotion might lead you to another good emotion.

Good emotions to be grateful for might be to be able to get up in the mornings, using your legs and hands. Maybe move the focus from what you dont have to what you actually have. Another to what you can do instead of what you cannot do.har. If you manage one push up from your knees its really good to think positively about that instead of criticizing oneself for not managing a straight one.

Kanskje du vil investere i en bok eller kort som inspirerer deg

My rituale:

Every morning when Iwake up I start the day reading some positive food for the soul. This is my routine and channel to find this joy and allowing it grow inside. Further down I will give you 3 examples on how to train to become more grateful. But first I would love to share a little interview I did with my pranic and chakra healer teacher Lani Reagan.

– Many people seem to lack ability to see the good in life – what do you think would be a good way to change the mindset from negativity to find more gratitude?

Gratitude is something we choose to become. Instead of finding it, simply be it. Being grateful is only difficult when we are choosing to stay in our mental suffering, complaining, or lamenting. Even instances where there is outright oppression and physical limitations, gratitude has the ability to preserve the spirit of a person, changing their frequency and how they are received in the world, as well as changing their degree of receptivity. When we fail to have gratitude we close ourselves off from receiving. The mistake is in believing that if we re-hash the details of our upsets, we will somehow find relief, but we are by-passing one of the most effective tools by failing to be grateful. In so doing we can build a strong mental pattern towards negativity and inner suffering. Only when we become open to real relief, can we choose to be grateful. If all you have to be grateful for is the breath that is moving through your body, that’s a good enough place to start. Plus, understanding that we can be grateful that our lot isn’t as bad as someone else’s, does put things into perspective.

– When one starts feeling more gratitude, what happens then?

Gratitude is like a magnet that draws our greater good to us. When our egos are too invested in being right, as the mind complains about our circumstances, we become a magnet for that type of suffering to appear in our lives over and over again. Only when we are grateful for the good in our lives no matter how small, does the Universe begin to bring us more of that good in larger amounts. If you give someone a gift and there is no gratitude, how much will you be moved to give them a gift in the future? So it is the same in setting ourselves up to receive more, by being grateful for what we already have. As well, even the words, “I am grateful” are more potent than the words, “I have gratitude” for saying “I am” and using an active form of the word induces change in mindset. You can even experiment with practicing to be grateful while noticing what happens when you move through your day. You may be surprised at the opportunities that come your way and the people you connect with.

– What happens with the energies and chakras when you change your mindset?

Our chakras are the means by which our bodies have access to clean Life Force (chi/prana/ki) for healing and wellness. When our chakras are congested or depleted through stress or trauma, our bodies decrease in their resiliency. When we apply the act of being grateful and having an over all attitude of gratitude, our heart chakras expand. This expansion makes us feel more peaceful and open. Simultaneously, the solar plexus expels out the dirty energy that comes with stressful thought patterns. Our overall vibration then shifts and this vibration is what goes out into the environment co-creating improved positive experiences that tend to multiply the more constant our state of gratitude becomes. It’s easy to forget to be grateful, but well worth remembering when we hear ourselves overly complaining or venting.

Fra workshop denne uken på Paradise Found

– What does gratitude mean to you?

Gratitude is more than being grateful on occasion. I have noticed that being grateful has become so ingrained in my neurological system because I’ve had constant opportunities to practice through the “obstacle courses of life”, that I regularly feel light and radiant. My ability to weather the down times seems stronger and my state of inner peace more sustained and anchored. As well, I usually, instantly see the larger purpose and the good in an event, no matter how bad it appears to be or feel in the moment. Thus, gratitude is not only a way for me to maintain positivity, but it has increased my degree of intuition. My ability to peer deeply into a matter has sharpened. Gratitude to me means receptivity and it’s more fun being receptive than it is being resistant. It’s my happiness key!

På foredrag med Lani. Takknemlighet!

If you would like to learn more about Lani Reagan check here:

http://www.dynamichealingtherapies.com

3 tips about how to achieve more gratefulness in your life.

Write down in a favorite little book what you are grateful for. There are many ways to do this. You could choose to make it a rituale in your life for instance on New Years Eve writing down 5 things you felt grateful about that year. Or you can make this a weekly (pick a day) – what was I grateful for this week, Its super to include your kids. Or maybe when you open your eyes in the morning reflecting upon something you truly feel grateful for. This will help focusing more on the good than the lacks in life.

Deepak Chopra recommend in one of his book to do a gratitudewalk, in a park, in the neighborhood, around the office building or in nature a pace for about 20 minutes. Pay attention for you senses, what you see around you, smell, feel, hear. This will open the contact to the world around you.

Make a decision about beeing positive to what surrounds you when you wake up. The more you focus on the positive things around you the more you will feel you are present here and now. Your spiritual side will awaken and your days will feel more intense and better.Your humanity will get boosted.

Hopefully you got some good ideas about being your own positive magnet for yourself and open up to more joy and appreciation in your life.

Would you like to read more about positive tkinking?

Hvordan være positiv til din egen kropp

Best wishes Monica

22. January 2017 0 comment

workout

megaformer pilates

written by Monica Øien

For several weeks now I have been testing the Megaformer designed by Lagree Fitness which is a patented method, within the pilates world, but not exactly pilates. I guess a bit easier for men no follow. They don´t necessarily have to pay so much attention to the pelvic floor, but more to strength training. The machines are longer than the reformers, and you can push and pull yourself to more strength. As the intensive classes are only 40 minutes you might squedual them in for a lunch break workout and they are probably easier to mentally commit to because of the 1/2 hour feeling.

Here you can read about the reformer:

Rød løper treningen

It´s a total body workout, and even if the studios have there own way of interpretation of this repertoire they all come down to some common challenges:

low impact
cardiovascular
muscle strength
muscle endurance
body composition
flexibility

The classes focus on core,legs, gluteus, arms, balance and cardiovascular endurance.

My experience at The Fit Buddha is that they are working deeply on one side, exhausting the muscles as much as you can, then including core sequences and at last finishing up on the other leg.

I am sharing some of the moves from todays class. I am sure you will recognize some of the work from the pilates reformer:

Starting out standing with one leg on the platform and one on the reformer.I use no strings (harder) but you can use 1 yellow if you want. Do a serie of straight legs pushing the bed out ands pulling it in for45 seconds. Then squat and stay her for pulses 45 sec.

2. Starting up with leg bended to 90 degrees on the platform, pushing and pulling back leg in and out for 45 sec. Then stay her lower and lift- squaring out the hips,tiny moves, make it burn for45 sec. 1 or 2 yellow springs.

3. Shoulder pull. Work from your abs holdning both hands on the handles, hips squared -for45 sec. stay and keep it statically for 30sec. Lower shoulders. 4 yellow springs.

4. abs and arms. Reversed plank hold breathe and pull back as far as you can using 1 or 2 yellow springs. keep up for 45 sec.

5. Abs and obliques. Placing both feet under the black strap on the bed, hands to neck. Lift your chest as you pull in the carriage working from your core. Neck long. 45 sec. 1 – 2 yellow springs.

6. From here add the obliques work, alternating from side to side. While twisting one hand is reaching and touching the floor, come back to centre and work to the other side. 45 sec.

NOW you are ready for the other leg!!!

Best wishes Monica

Clothes from @casalltraining

20. January 2017 0 comment

Spirituality workout

The Yoga High with Maria

written by Monica Øien

I have always had this love-hate relationship with YOGA!! I started my training back in 2001 at a studio in Oslo http://www.yogasenteret.com At this time really needed yoga due to my stress at work, totally exhausted and raising up my son alone. My working days seemed to last forever. At one point (and actually during several years in the TV business) one day could be like this (hold your breathe):

I got up at 07 am, took a shower, prepared breakfast, biked my son Max to Kintergarden, continued to bike to work, 40 minutes uphill to work, worked full day (of course), biked home- thank God – downhill for 15 minutes, picked up kiddo, prepared dinner, attended sports- and activities, came home, snuggle time, reading, putting kiddo to sleep, baby sitter arrival, biking uphill back to work, editing until midnight, swoon in bed, sleep. Then repeat the next day.

When you are in your 20 íes your body might handle this stress for quit some time. Until it stops. Well this speedy lifestyle brought me to the yoga studio. I was tired. We meditated and did a lot of classical yoga poses (quit boring to be honest). I dedicated a lot of time teaching my body and soul how to de-stress. It was good for me.

In recent years, I indirectly worked a lot with yoga, partly because we teach yoga at my studio in Oslo The Room and partly because of my own curiosity. I have also had the pleasure of working together with Maria Furst. She has choreographed several yoga films for us at www.webtrening.no – and I have traded with her through the online centre in my own living room. These days I live in California and yoga in America has inspired me in new ways. Finally I feel yoga also can be a workout, I even get warm and sweaty while practicing. Here you can read about my meeting with yoga in California:

https://monicaoien.no/2016/11/21/happy-healthy-california-yoga/

Suddenly there eas a new dimension and understanding about yoga, and I couldn´t really catch it. I ordered Marias book and contacted her for an interview, wondering about how her introduction to yoga was while she was living in the states.. Maria Furst moved to San Francisco when she was 36. After an injury she “bumped” into yoga, she felt a break through and today she is a teacher in Oslo. Here she is sharing her journey. And she actually had the same fee,ling like me, after hurting her knee she needed to do something and the answer was yoga. Obviously for therapy not for training. But she got that wrong.

What inspired you to start practicing yoga?

– I did a lot of aerobic and spinning in my twenties, the harder and longer classes the better. Then I started running (jogging), eventually every day up to an hour. When we moved to San Francisco in 2011, I began a daily routine of running up and down the steep, beautiful hills. Eventually my knee started hurting, and I realized I had no other choice than to try yoga. I was not excited, as I thought it would be super boring. Luckily the universe brought me to Lamott Atkins, who ran Bikram Yoga San Francisco. He added a special flavor to the Bikram-sequence and taught it in a soulful way. I was surprised to feel how hard and physically challenging yoga was. I was hooked after the first class. Ever since I have done some sort of yoga almost every day.

What is a yoga breakthrough?

– To me it describes when the body resolves the puzzle of a pose, which parts has to contribute in what way to form the asana. Take Bird of Paradise (pictured below) for example. When the joints are opened, strength, focus, balance and flexibility is developed enough to bind the hands behind the hips, lift the torso, straighten the spine, open the chest, kick out the leg and finally spread the toes on the lifted foot while breathing in a slow and steady pace, it feels like a breakthrough. That said, an asana is never ending. You are constantly in a process of adjusting and easing into the pose.

mariayoga_03 Why do ww easier get hooked on yoga then other types of workout and fitness?

– Because a yoga practice contains so much more than the mere physical part. The feeling after a yoga class is key. I’ve heard it described as «the yoga high» , which explains why you get hooked on yoga. One reason for this feeling of clarity and quiet mind is that we work with the nervous system during our practice. The way we learn to master our breath and use it to help us through the difficult asanas, mirrors how we can use it to master difficulties in life.

How does yoga infect your soul?

– I’ve given that a lot of thought! At least it would’ve been a good idea in my case. For many years I had a complicated relationship with my body, at the same time I was stressed out, afraid of dying (in plane crashes, by terrorist attacks, of scary diseases and other stuff beyond my control). Let’s just say I’ve had my fair share of everyday neuroses. I’ve had a therapist trying to help me, without results. However, after I started practicing yoga, my head feels cleared from all this mess. It’s as if the vigorous vinyasa practice cleans my mind. Yoga is my natural antidepressant.

You discovered yoga in California, (me too), what do we lack back home in Norway?

– Yoga doesn’t seem that serious or pretentious in the US, maybe because it’s had more time to settle in over there. I believe the americans have done a great job adjusting yoga to the western world, without neglecting the indian tradition. They’ve made a nice synthesis of ancient and modern. It seems that Californian yoga has evolved into its own identity, being alignment based, yet playful at the same time – instead of clinging to one tradition or one way of explaining things. At least that’s my impression. Americans are curious, precise, practical, down to earth, yet open – and these traits mirror the way a lot of the teachers I’ve had the pleasure of learning from communicate yoga.

How do yoga replace religion?

– As we use the term in Norwegian, spirituality is a difficult word with a lot negative connotations to me. But, I do believe that we all have a higher self, a deeper sense of «I», that is more or less constantly being overshadowed by ego, fear, attachment etc, and that these emotions are to blame for our suffering. And I do believe in the idea that if we all work on ourselves to peel these layers off, and at the same time start treating each other with compassion and understanding, the world will be a better place to live. If we want to stop Mother Earth from going straight down the drain, we better start digging deep in our selves to find a feeling of connectedness – to each other and to the nature we live in. You can say I’m a dreamer. But I’m not the only one.

For who is this book?

– It is for everybody – yoga skeptics, yoga lovers and those in between: People who want to try yoga – and those who already have a yoga practice. But my 10 vinyasa sequences are meant for yoginis who prefer strong flowing classes. For those who solely want to stress down, I’ve added 8 restorative poses to chill out in.

teknisk_134 What to you recommend for a yoga beginner to get started?

– Don’t take it so seriously! Yoga isn’t scary, mysterious and odd, even though some Norwegian people still seem to think so. Start with an intro course at your local studio. And of course I recommend beginners to read my book too.

How often should one practice in order to feel progression?

– I recommend practicing every day! But it doesn’t have to be for a long stretch of time. I’ve made a 20 minute program called «Morning routine», and if you squeeze this one in before showering in the morning, you’re already there. But this might only be possible in my dream world. I have students who come to my classes once a week, and they make a lot of progress during a season. However, if you really want to go deeper into your own body and yoga practice, I would do no less than 60-90 minutes 3-4 times a week.

Many people struggles with week hands and knees, how do we prevent injuries in yoga?

– Being taught in California, I am an alignment based vinyasa teacher. This means I’m working with modifications and verbal adjustments during the flowing sequences to prevent injuries. In the tradition I follow it is important where the knee is placed in relation to the ancle and hip. And how you distribute the weight in your hands/fingers is crucial. I am super picky with my own students, and they appreciate my approach. There are injuries in yoga, and they often come from misalignment or pushing to far.

Some times people spread to mane picture-pose perfect on? Is yoga in danger of loosing its core values?

– Like I said earlier, I practice yoga to keep me sane. The physical visible results are subordinate to me. I used to have a tricky relationship with food before i found yoga. Now I am only focused on treating my body right and to give it the best environment for optimal function. This is one of the most beautiful things about yoga: You use your body and breath to set your mind straight. Meanwhile you learn to accept yourself and your limitations. At the same time you evolve gratitude towards your body and the awesomeness it can bring you into. I never count calories, I stepped off the bathroom scale a long time ago and I have no idea where my pulse is at during classes. The only thing I care about is that my body is making me able to live of my big passion, and I feel so lucky doing that!

How do you think yoga looks like within 10 years?

– In a world that gets more stressed out and fragmented every day, I both hope and believe yoga will grow stronger everywhere. A yoga practice covers the need to zone out, but it is also great tool to manage stress. At the same time as it keeps you in shape and enhances your flexibility. I don’t know how anything could be better and more relevant in these challenging times. Research shows that 36 million americans practiced yoga on a regular basis in 2016. That’s an insanely amount of people! And as Vinyasa is the most popular yoga style in the US, I do believe Vinyasa will grow bigger in Norway.

teknisk_010

teknisk_007

Hunden som ser ned med bøyde knæ

THREe COOL YOGAFILMs (from Maria´s book)

Kumaré, Vikram Ghandi (2011)

Ram Dass: Fierce Grace, Mikey Lemle (2001)

Yoga Unveiled, Gita Desai (2004)

………

Well if you dint get “The Yoga High” yet I can assure you that it is quit normal. It takes time and especially with yoga and other teqniques where we paralelly work with the nervesystem. (garuda, pilates, tai chi). But One thing is sure, we should let go of all our expectations and surrender and listen to the body. Yoga is both an internal and an external journey. And it will for sure challenge your patience (at least mine). I am very grateful for the knowledge I have from America and super happy to follow Marias world also.

If you want to order the book, click here:

https://www.haugenbok.no/Generell-litteratur/Fritid/Yoga/I9788272016356

bok

Best wishes & Namaste,

Monica

Photo: Oda Berby

Maria on Instagram: @mariafurstyoga

20. January 2017 0 comment

workout

Ugi Pilates & Bodysculpting

written by Monica Øien

To be openminded and curious is honestly important in order to stay motivated and dedicated toy commitment to balanced workout routines. This week I found so much inspiration testing this little colorful thing called Ugi at Core Sport Santa Barbara. Using this fitness ball challenges your strength and coordination. If you add some burps do include the cardio you will feel the resistance!

It`s a challenging, colorful and stylish way of becoming functionally fit. I have added the use of the ball into some Bodysculpting exercises.

Here is a mini sequence. I did the moves 30-50 reps on each leg, this Ugi is 8 pounds:

Straight leg lift (up & down) with hand supported an the Ugi:

Keep your hand on the Ugi to find balance

2. Continue keeping the straight leg in the air, and arm also doing small pulses hand toward straight leg

Hold the leg high and do pulses

When you order the Ugi the catalogue comes along and you can find lots of inspiration:

Here you can order the Ugi:

https://www.amazon.com/Ugi-Fitness-at-Home-Kit/dp/B008YCKK38

Hope you find this little thing inspirational!!

Warm wishes Monica

Clothes by @casalltraining

18. January 2017 0 comment

Spirituality workout

rain, sunsets and studies in California

written by Monica Øien

I am chillin in front of the fireplace wearing a beachskirt, tank and a homeknitted scarf! I am writing about the weather and some other stuff. Currently I am in between houses and stranded on a beach. Living this close to the ocean surely affects me. Its only 20 steps to the oceanfront where giant surf waves is flooding the beach.

Havet synger utenfor vinduet her

I have never stayed so close to the sea before. When I go to bed in the evenings I fall asleep to the sound of waves and wind in the palm trees, a gentle whisper that has a calming effect on me. Sometimes the sounds awakens me and I am afraid the waves will wash into the ground floor. Just outside the house there are dunes that protect for any small tsunamis.

The last two weeks the waterfall have been enormously. I was not prepared for the rain so I have been running around in flip flops and raincoat. This morning we managed to get drenched in the few meters from the house to the car.

Wet but pretty happy with his lunchbox off to school

The rain plays an hugely important role here were soil and rock are suffering from drought and high fire hazard. Rain, thunder and lightening, storm and small streams is my life right now. I lovet it, remembering college days back home in Bergen, it actually makes me feel even more at home here.

Well, enough about the weather. I actually wanted to share with you a bit of what I am doing here after soon 1/2 year in Cali..I can literally feel the time fly. But I utilize every moment of the day to explore and find my tribe and mojo. I get up early, preparing brekkie and bring kids to school. During the week I will visit at leasts 2 new studios (mostly yoga and pilates) to find inspiration and to gather my ideas. Once a week I have lectures with my Chakra healing teacher Lani Reagan. This includes an hour of daily “loving kindness” meditation and practicing healing sessions.

Leaded meditation

Sometimes I manage to do only a short meditation, and some days I skip.

I am doing the YTT – finishing this spring. I write my blog (and more) and work on instagram for about 2 hours daily. Once a week I am working on the new concepts (“spiritual fitness”) and the plan is to bring some trendy news back to Norway this fall. I do meetings with my colleagues back home – manager Celin Roppen and partner Rikke Schillinger at The Room. One day each week I do Skype workout and coaching with some of you guys back home. I meet incredible talented instructors here which I am filming for the online workout company webtrening.

It is almost impossible to render my enthusiasm for all the knowledgeable people I meet here.

To sum it up, I am as busy here as I was back home, but filled with joy, love and gratitude.

God´s Nature

After a long day with Chakra healing and yoga with my teacher Lani the sun glint from behind the clouds. I guess I have until now seen about 150 sunsets, revealing themselves in a purple, pinkish, orange gold painting – glittering over the ocean and the sand.

Naturens skatter og en solnedgang uten filter

Mahatma Gandhi said:

” When I admire the wonders of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in the worship of the creator.”

Skjell på sanden

For the first time I discovered the “Giant Pismo Clams” this afternoon. People get them from under the sand here right on the beach, even though its not actually Pismo Beach:-)

Lukten av livet under vann

I am facing west, tonight the clouds looked like a painting by Rembrandt. When I turned my face east this is how the clouds looked like:

The little surf town is colored by the magic light from the sun

Rembrandt Clouds

It´s in the little things the strength lies. By searching one little heartfelt thing each day you will explore your body and mind getting to know yourself deeper. You will feel more harmony with yourself and with the world around you. It might be the sunset, or even just a quit moment, music or connection to Mother Earth. This is a way to heal yourself.

We usually stroll the beach until the sun is set. It´s a magic moment for all of us and this evening Michael and Johnny celebrated this experience with a little star!

Stjerne barn

Best Wishes Monica

13. January 2017 0 comment

Uncategorized

Glow Beauty Juice

written by Monica Øien

As often as I can I try to eat og drink veggies. The juices are really expensive to buy so I have been experimenting out my own. This is one of my favorites, and it actually work very well as a snack or post workout juice. I even added some garlic to empower the taste.

All the ingredients are low in calories, but full of vitamins, minerals and fiber. They all work good for your skin. I don?t think we can over drink here…

The juicen contains 6 ingredients:

Celery: Low in calories, lots of fiber and a great source of the Vitamin B folat, vitamin C and Potassium.

Apple: Contains Vitamin C, E and B6 and also the mineral Potassium, and magnesium. Most of the fiber is in the apple peel so make sure you use it!

Ginger: Ginger is full of fiber and also a source of the mineral calium.

Garlic: Garlic is rich in the mineral Potassium, and a source to vitamin B6, vitamin C and phosphorus.

Lemon: Lemon is low in calories, and a rich source of fiber and propped with Vitamin C.

Wheatgrass: Lots of Vitamin A, E and B12, the mineral calcium and magnesium, selen an iron.

If you want to top it up with some extra beauty ingredients I recommend you to sprinkle in a spoon of Baobab. (my new favorite: Vitamin C, Calcium, Potassium, antioxidants and Fiber)

Using this your skin will GLOW

Feel free to test and adjust the quantities of veggies that suits you best. I hope you will love the juice!

Best wishes Monica

10. January 2017 0 comment