Author

Monica Øien

Vanity Fair at SoMe

by Monica Øien 11. February 2017

written by Monica Øien

There are many, myself included, who uses SoMe in order to spread a message, engage or even work with charities. I am really trying to be mindful about my posts not only beeing about only me, but rather about a subject or a cause. Obviously out of my business point of view I am here to sell something, after all I am a jewelry designer and a studio owner. But still, my wish is to be an inspirator and teacher, sometimes it works out well, other times I feel naked and responsive to whatever kind of critic they might arise. Welcome to the world of social media. I need to deal with it.

yoga mon The fitness/yoga/pilates/body has become a huge industry and we post pictures from beaches and mountaintops, yes we sell ourselves. Which reminds me to do some selfreflectional work and ask myself: How do I lead people? What am I leading with? What are my wishes? More followers? Or simply share from my own experience and wisdom? Perhaps something I learned lately? Is there some kind of surrender to it?

It´s a dualistic answer to this cause I want to do my job and share stories about bodywork, food and meditation.

I want to share from my heart and not from an ego place only expecting likes on the posts. The way I do this is that I spend some time reflecting about what to express and share, then I post it, and then I try to forget about out for the rest of the day.

I notice that the posts which are least ego driven tends to get more attention.

Instagram “fitness” is not about having a body, cause we all have a body. Its more about doing amazing things which inspire us to be present, curious and grateful. Without judging, without discriminating.

This is not my first yoga challenge to attend on instagram. But when these 3 girls Ingrid Loe Holand, Johanne Karbøl and Kari-Anne Bains from Global Yoga Trondheim contacted me and asked me to be a presenter and sponsor I responded positively on their cause. The theme is discrimination and the tool to get in touch with our ethical compass is using yin yoga poses.

How effective do you consider a Yoga challenge on instagram to be ?

We are able to share our message about social and human values through the challenge. The organisations get an extra attention and recognition for their work. And we can collect money which help them continue the great work they do. We are trying to reach out to many people in order to share as many posts as possible.

Global Yoga Trondheim connected with so many people on the instagram. We are also co-working with some famous people which helps us to spread the word.

For whom is this challenge?

Its for all to participate. Our goal is to be low key and easy to access. We want to include as many participants as possible. We focus on using yin yoga poses because we all need more balance in life inspiring to reflect upon nniversal life principles as acceptance, confidence, patience, no-juding attitude.

What is the ambition?

We want to rise awareness about discrimination, but also what discrimination is not. We are donating money to an organisation ” Skeiv Ungdom” (queer youth). We believe that all people are of equal worth. No matter.

What is discrimination?

Well, the opposite of discrimination is generosity, tolerance, kindness, acceptance, compassion, self-worth, equality, love to yourself and others. to be yourself. To have the space to be yourself, to have the courage.

If you want to read about earlier yoga challenges from Global Yoga Trondheim you can click here:

vær et medmenneske

How can yoga contribute to more peace and love in the world?

In yoga you work with yourself to find inner peace and the source to vitality. We would define this to be happiness or bliss. We all do have an ethical compass and yoga with all the elementary principles can help you find this instrument.

Why yin poses?

Yin yoga is for everybody. No pressure, expectations and not even yoga skills are needed. Its all about confidence, acceptance and patience. The poses are easy to do and follow.

Best wishes Monica

If you want to join this challenge, please follow these girls and @globalyoga.trondheim on instagram, they will guide you on a daily basis, all you have to do is share a photo using the tag #whydiscriminatewheyoucanyoga :

@karrings

@sunshine_yogini

@johanne.k

My clothes are from Casall Norge @casalltraining

11. February 2017 0 comment

Spirituality

Sound Healing on Salt

by Monica Øien 6. February 2017

written by Monica Øien

I might sometimes be to drawn to people who seems a bit on the cutting edge. I know. But I can’t help it. It’s a force within me who always is searching, exploring and wondering. I found this guy David on the Instagram. There’s really a world there of smart people with so many different approaches to life. I made hundreds of inspiring instafriends this last year. I am learning, growing, seeing and even listening! Thanks to you all. It seems like we are a big family of souls trying to ground and learn what life is all about. In different ways.

Last night I met David in the Salt Caves. One of my newest instagram friends. We of course connected imidiately on the phone.

David Kennet is a shamanic sound healer and this Journey is a sound voyage, a primal journey within. He is using voice, drum, flute, tibetan and crystal singing bowls, During the ceremony he offers a vibrational transmission that helps us reconnect with our Heart Center and melt away perceived limits and obstacles. During this special ceremony, you will receive a one-on-one customized personal sound healing. David will also be guiding us on practical ways to use sound in our everyday lives.

This last year I have been and still am studying the Chakras! There are many ways to learn about our inner processes. I use my way (will share soo much more later) – David is using his method. Sounds. He is group healing using sounds. Drums. Glasbowls. His Voice. Instruments. His divine Power. And the Chakras.

Teacher Training with my teacher Lani Reagan

We sat down on the mat. He gave us a short introduction. Then we made connecting vibration sounds through the seven chakras. And then we wrote down on a note a feeling or sensation we wanted less of in life. For instance fear, anxiety, insecurity etc. On another note we wrote down what we wanted more of. For example love, security, succes, faith etc.

Then the meditative session started. We are laying on our backs. The ground is covered by Himalayasalt in the cave. David starts his healing approaching each and everyone of us playing a personal healing sound.

Q: What is Soul Sounding?

Our Soul Sound is our authentic VOICE….the actual sound and tone of our voice is either connected to our Heart and Soul or completely disconnected. When our voice is aligned to our authentic self, it carries a tone of love and compassion. An “open voice” increases the vibration for all the trillions of cells, tissues and organs of our body.

What is a Shaman?

On a basic level, shamans (medicine men/women) have the ability to activate the healing potential in others, whether it be physical, mental or emotional. They help us remove limiting obstacles and see a new reality. I am not a formally trained shaman, yet shamans have indicated the work I do is shamanic. I devoted over 20 years of my life to a spiritual master, a musician/metaphysician who opened my voice and Heart. More than a sound shaman, I consider myself to be a facilitator. Its incredibly empowering to remember that each and every one of us is our own best healer. A gentle nudge or guidance in the correct direction is all it takes sometimes for us to remember how we can heal ourselves.

My body was vibrating. It could be compared with an internal massage. It felt pleasant and floating. Also relaxing. Some people fell asleep.

He healed the wounds. And then afterwards he energized whatever we could love to have more of. 90 minutes passed by so quickly and after three deep OM’s we got back to the real world.

Q: Why do people need therapy through sounds?

Sacred sound helps relax our nervous system, makes it easier to meditate, brings clarity to our immune system, reduces cortisol and increases endorphins. It can be used to help us let go of stuck emotions as well as help re-write the html code of subconscious programming so that we fully experience what we desire in life. Best of all sacred, intentional sound is completely safe and non-invasive.

Q: Who are you clients?

People come to me who have allergies or in need emotional/spiritual healing. Physical and emotional health for the most part is a pro-active decision based on taking responsibility for the lifestyle we live, the people with whom we surround ourselves, and the foods we eat. People come to me who understand that they are responsible for the life they are creating. Often times the subconscious mind (our internal computer program) stores beliefs and emotions that are not in alignment with what we desire in life. I offer tools that help the subconscious work FOR us, not against us.

Q: What kind of symptoms can you heal?

I don’t heal anyone….the body heals itself. I work with pet allergies, environmental allergies and all food allergies (including gluten, wheat, dairy and soy)

Q: Can you share a specific story of a happy person you have helped?

A woman came to me who suffered from a severe gluten allergy her entire life. After just one 45 minute session with me she was able to eat gluten and drink beer the next day. This was about 5 years ago and she remains symptom free. A man came to me with an addition to cigarettes. After 30 years of smoking, he decided to quit the next day.

Q: To be a therapist, what kind of skills do you need?

For the allergy work, its important to have some background in nutrition, a basic understanding of meridians and acupressure, be a massage therapist and have training in sound therapy.

David uses muscletesting in order to measure before and after energy. There was this lady. Her request for less was sugar addiction. She was very week when he tested before. And a lot stronger after.

Q: How did this happen?

The woman with the sugar addiction tested weak on “Sugar Addiction” before the Shamanic Sound Journey. Afterwards she re-tested as strong which indicated her body’s healing potential was awakened. People have reported to me that they have been able to reduce sugar intake and/or quit smoking after sound healing sessions.

So what did this healing do for me? Did I get any sensation or improvement? Did I feel more of what I wanted?

I was surprisingly calm afterwards. I could feel the medical effect the salt had on my lunges feeling the breath smooth and the body relaxed. I was thrilled after the exotic atmosphere in the cave. I felt like I had been on a journey. To different cultures. From Lapland to Inca. The sounds David expelled made me travel. I had a break. A mindful moment.

If you want to contact David check out his instagram here: @david_kennet

or his site: www.soul-sounding.com

Best wishes

Monica

6. February 2017 0 comment

Health Food Spirituality

Soul Food in Beverly Hills

by Monica Øien 5. February 2017

written by Monica Øien

I went online to see if I could find any upcoming courses with a woman I truly admire, Seane Corn. She is an internationally celebrated yoga teacher, known for her inspirational style of integrating the physical and mystical aspects of yoga practice. I had been doing her Awareness Yoga Training and found that she was lecturing this weekend in Beverly Hills for The first tuesday LA Epic Day. So this made my weekend!

The host for the event is the Holistic Psychotherapist& Humanitarian Visionary, Marcy Cole.

Seane Corn is one the speakers -here together with Marcy Cole

So, here I am in with a bunch of fantastic women at The Women`s Club in Beverly Hills. We are receiving sound healing and enjoying the beautiful spiritual sounds by Donna De Lory who traveled the globe for 20 years as an accompanying vocalist and dancer for Madonna. Donnas integration of sparkling pop savvy with deeply felt sense of spirituality has won her a strong fan base in the yoga community. We are all here feeling love & light gathered for a greater cause.

So happy to meet all these inspiring women. here together with Donna!!

We are a group of extraordinary women sitting at a round table. It´s interesting to learn while introducing ourselves that we also are a group of female force with so much energetic power in common.

Dr.Lisa M: Valle has meets her clients in a private setting at Oasis in Santa Monica

We are physicians, healers, coaches, spiritual teachers, yoga teachers, writers and educators. We are probably here at the same table for a reason.

Connecting and exchanging stories, vibes and love

So the first lecture coming up which attracted me is by relationship expert, lecturer and NY Times Best Selling Author of , “Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus.” Oh my, I remember this book like one of the top books inspiring me and serving me the truth about men and women. His Books have sold over 50 million copies in 50 different languages around the world.

When John Gray arrives suddenly the energy changes. We all know about him, have read his books and as the expectation arises the murmur among the girls calm down. John sets the agenda right away and we listen when he talks about women`s power with men. John said, “Women often feel that they are giving more then they are receiving, but it doesn’t have to be like that. The male side of us (which women also have) is the power to get things done. The female power (which men also have) is to get other people to do things for us. It´s fun being feminine, but to much makes us picky.” We listen in silence and can relate to this.

john2

John continues to teach and entertain us about the differences in men and women:

“Women pack everything they could possibly loose, men pack the day before.”

“Men like uniforms, find one suit that looks good, and the question is -“why change it?”

“The female energy is the feeling part of us. The male is the practical one. The women has a little GPS, they manage everything. <for example, their husbands travel and make them check in when the flight has landed.” And he is sharing his personal experiences from his 35 years of marriage. ” Sometimes I need to pretend that I am worrying about my wife.”

john1

John gives us a few advices, after all we are here to learn and make improvements in our lives:

“If a man could say to his tired wife after a day of work; you give so much to so many people, let me give you (massage, dinner..) now. ” What we need to pay attention to is what we actually feel when when we receive! Do we feel appreciation?

Usually when women are unhappy they are doing things for others and not doing enough for themselves.

“You need to have that awareness in order to balance it out. Man in general is better at delegating work and things. Women are better at doing it all, maybe even twice.”

Your female power is not to do more for your man, but respond more to him. He feels good when you think he is a hero.

“We have to understand why we need a man, we dont want another child to take care of. We want a grown up man. And we need to understand who that man is? It´s a man who doesn’t go over to his female side when you as a woman talk. We are under a constant wave of oestrogen and testosterone.”

The sofa

“What happens when a woman sits down on a sofa? Well, she says that she starts thinking about all the things she needs to do, or she would love to talk and connect. So what happens when a man sits down on a coach? Well, he relaxes, tune out and take a break.”

book

You can purchase John Grays Books here

John Gray´s new book ” Beyond Mars and Venus” is about how to strengthen your bond and grow in love together for lasting happiness and a fulfilling relationship. It´s about soulmate relationships which give support over time. Men detach themselves, women talk about emotions. It´s about “you time” and “me time” and her love needs and his love needs. Mars and Venus finally comes together.

I can´t wait to get a copy of his new book as it´s being released this coming week. John Gray is surely entertaining and smart, he is easy to follow and you don`t want to miss any of his reflections.

John Gray is a warm, wise & wonderful man.

I would love to, I can´t. (why can’t you, i need good reasons…)

We are ready for a lunch break. Vegan food is on the menu served with maccacino. We are excited about what we have learned so far, and it´s kind of unbelievable that there is so much more on the program. I can`t wait to share my experience with Seane Corn in the next blogpost! Stay tuned!

Best wishes,

Monica

5. February 2017 0 comment

Spirituality Video workout

Intuitive Bodywork

by Monica Øien 4. February 2017

written by Monica Øien

One of the first studios I visited here on the West Coast was at Chanda Fetters Core Sport. I was thrilled to find a studio who actually seemed a bit like my own back in Oslo. Not because I am longing home, but because I truly find this way of working out the best, for body, health and mood! Chanda is an experienced girl, pilates studio owner and instructor. As a former professional Ballet Dancer she knows how to choreograph classes with great tune, rhythm and challenge. She has been in fitness since 1991 and opened Core Sport in 2007.

I have tested all her classes, reformer, mathwork, Barre and Trx. I really enjoyed it all.

What can we expect at core sport?

Highly trained staff, creative workouts, great quality of instruction, a welcoming environment. We strive to offer everything you need in one space – Functional Fitness / Cardio / Strength & Flexibility

Why do you think TRX is such an effective tool to a stronger body?

Due to the leverage the ropes allow you. You can move in all planes of motion while adding additional equipment to encourage options for more or less challenge. In this program, it’s really hard to cheat so you tend to get more bang for your buck!

How do you build up the sequences?

I typically use a layering method. This allows for a longer set, modifications/challenges to be added in along the way. The result, you end up with more reps and ones that are most affective to your body and needs.

Where do you think the fitness trend is heading this year?

Hard to say, it seems to change so rapidly. I see a big gap between big box gyms and boutique studios. There definitely seems to be greater gains in a smaller environment, so the boutique studios are sure to stay! I see more sports focused programs being popular so will be interesting to see how equipment manufacturers follow!

What is a perfect workout week for you (maintain, health, energy)?

Since I train at my own studio my week consists of – 3/4 Cardio (Spins), 2 Reformer, 1 Circuit (for heavier weight and fast twitch conditioning), 1 Barre and 1 TRX. My body seems to never fully acclimate to one therefore giving me optimal results!

What are your workout values?

Train SMARTER not HARDER

So Chanda did a sequence with the TRX together with me which we actually filmed and YOU can practice at home, here you GO! Enjoy, I just love it!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyRH3x1VRGs

Best wishes,

Monica

4. February 2017 0 comment

Spirituality workout

10 tips to become more optimistic

by Monica Øien 23. January 2017

written by Monica Øien

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

by Monica Øien 22. January 2017

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

by Monica Øien 22. January 2017

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

by Monica Øien 20. January 2017

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

by Monica Øien 20. January 2017

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:

http://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

by Monica Øien 18. January 2017

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

Newer Posts

Older Posts