Welcome...

WELCOME TO SELF LOVE

IF YOU'D LIKE A LUXURY WEEKEND BREAK, JOIN ME AT CHAMPNEYS, FOREST MERE

FRIDAY 20 AUGUST - SUNDAY 22 AUGUST 2010

I WILL BE TEACHING BOTH YOGA AND PILATES THERE

PLEASE CONTACT CHAMPNEYS, FOREST MERE FOR BOOKING DETAILS 01428 726 000

Self Love believes in taking time for yourself, whether it be by exercising, eating well, pampering/spoiling yourself or relaxation.

Self Love aims to enhance your daily life by offering both yoga and Pilates services to you together with health and fitness information and useful related tips via this website. Feel free to give your feedback after browsing this site. Go to Testimonies and click on the drop down Guestbook and have a look at some the comments already made.

If you've been to one of my classes or have worked with me One-One and would like to leave a comment about your experience, please do so. I'd love to hear your thoughts about how you felt after class. Please note that all comments will be vetted before being published and therefore will not appear immediately.

Find out more about becoming a Self Lover.

Have a listen to past podcasts of my radio show...Radio. I'm taking a break from the show for now.

Maybe you'd like to know how to make quick and easy dishes to complement your busy lifestyle. Take a moment with yourself and see how you can try something new.

Read Nico's latest magazine article with Blessence online magazine. http://www.blessencemagazine.com/lifestyle/b-fit-and-healthy-the-self-love-way-2

Why not take a me-moment and have a peek at some videos of me teaching the beginning of my yoga class at Arch 468:

http://www.zshare.net/video/751106014145c997/ - savasana - yoga practice preparation

http://www.zshare.net/video/751175527f212fef/ - side stretch

http://www.zshare.net/video/751116980b749d0c/ - spinal twist

http://www.zshare.net/video/751120201293914d/ - cross legged forward bend

http://www.zshare.net/video/75118760be897c29/ - Lion Pose

Here's clips of the Pilates class at Arch 468:

http://www.zshare.net/video/751192298f8b6add/

Here's clips of 3 Pilates participants from Morley College, Lambeth North talking to me:

http://www.zshare.net/video/75121339beee3452/

Here's my latest health and fitness tip to get you started on becoming a Self Lover.

HEALTH AND FITNESS TIP OF THE MOMENT

OH YES!! SUMMER'S HERE...

BUT HOW HYDRATED ARE YOU?

So, it's morning and the shower beckons us as a means to revive us from our slumber. We brush our teeth to avoid nuking whoever talks to us and we enter the kitchen to fill the kettle for our customary morning liquid fix.

And yet........

How many of you will simply take a glass and fill it with pure, unadulterated, clear, wet water???

So far, the sun is kicking our butts this year and boy, am I loving it! It's so easy though to forget to drink water, isn't it? If you love gardening then you'll definitely remember to water your plants. If you have children, you'll definitely remember to water your nearest and dearest. However, who remembers to water you?

Water's really important at the best of times however during the hot summer months it's especially vital that we continue to hydrate our cells (ourselves). Remember the Perrier ad of years ago? A man in the desert with not a drop of water in sight and surrounded by hot sand...then he sees a mirage of a bottle of ice cold Perrier and hoarsely he moans, 'Perrier, Perrier...' lurching towards it.

You get it? We NEED water to live!! Why? Keep reading....

Water's needed for every cell and tissue in the body
We do not store water
We can live without food short term but only a few days without water
Water regulates body temperature so that we don't overheat like a car
Water transports oxygen, glucose and fats to muscles
It's a component of saliva and gastric juices needed for digestion, absorption and excretion of food
Water lubricates joints, tissues and muscles
Water helps to eliminate toxins from the body
Water prevents kidney stones
Water reduces the uncomfortable likelihood of constipation
Water can suppress appetite if consumed before a meal

So, now that you understand why water should be as important as the breath you breathe, how much should you drink?

Drink at least eight 250ml glasses daily to replace lost fluids
Drink more before, during and after exercising
Be aware than your water intake changes according to climate, age, pregnancy, whilst breastfeeding, and altitudes

If you're still not convinced, what happens if you don't drink water?

A lack of water causes dehydration
The body temperature rises when dehydrated, causing further dehydrating plus the loss of important minerals such as sodium and potassium
Immediate symptoms of dehydration include a dry mouth and eyes, headaches, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, poor circulation, dark circles under the eyes and a flushing of the skin
If your urine is dark yellow and cloudy plus increases in volume, then you're dehydrated
Long term consequences of dehydration are shortness of breath, blurred vision, a rapid pulse rate, loss of hearing, unsteady balance and hot skin

Some of you may not enjoy the plain taste of water. Don't worry because here's what I'd suggest.

Drink fruit and vegetable juices or eat them whole because they have high contents of water
Here's some examples: watermelon; grapes; citrus fruits; cucumber; papaya; tomatoes; carrots and surprisingly enough milk
When drinking juices consider diluting with water (still or sparkling) to reduce the acidic and high sugar content
If you're used to drinking diluted or fizzy drinks, please be aware of the sugar and alternative sugar content which can be high in calories, damage tooth enamel and be toxic to the body
Consider drinking herbal teas and adding flavour to the water itself in a healthy way ie peppermint, camomile teas or fresh herbs. These can be consumed both hot or cold
Fresh lemon and lime is also extremely refreshing and wonderful first thing in the morning as it helps to flush out the kidneys
Remember that even though the above allows for variety, there really is no alterative to drinking water
So, don't forget, if plain water isn't working for you, try jazzing it up with sparkling water, lemon, lime, cucumber, melon or orange pieces. It's a wonderful alternative so make the change today

Keep visiting my site for the next TIP OF THE MOMENT...