Embrace the Journey!

Life Lessons from the Mat!

Recently I made a BIG decision and investment in my future to help me reach my crazy goals and dreams. In taking that initial step I found myself excited, nervous,nauseous and then exhilarated knowing that I had done it! I had finally taken the next necessary plunge to create the life of my dreams. 

Then the new journey was on and almost instantly that nasty creature called "Insecurity and self-doubt" reared its ugly head. Making me question myself, my abilities, my passion and basically my sticktuitiveness.  Those questions of  "What are you thinking? What makes you think those things are out there for you? Do you really know what kind of work this is going to take?" You know the drill I am sure you have met this creature during your journeys as well. 

Here I am on the threshold of my new exciting adventure. Instead of jumping in with enthusiasm I found myself frozen in fear. Feeling completely overwhelmed and unable to absorb any of the amazing content and material being given to me.... What have I done?! 

Insert my wonderful message and lesson from the mat! 

There are those postures that people love to jump right into versus building them, triangle is the perfect example. I love to pause my students before triangle reminding them that taking our time to build a posture and to feel it can actually make it prettier and easier. I use the analogy of hiking- Sure reaching the summit is amazing but the journey to get there is quite spectacular as well. 

During my class as I guided my students into Pigeon telling them "Breathe and enjoy the journey" The words hit me..... This is what I needed to do!  I needed to stop, breathe and enjoy the journey!" I needed to stop thinking of what currently feels like that insurmountable summit and instead just focus on today's portion of the journey. This moment and it's life lessons I need to learn today, the steps I need to take today and only today! 

Why Hire a Personal Trainer?

Let’s be realistic everyone is money conscious these days and personal training can and does add up?! After all you can sign up at the local gym hit the treadmill, then make your way around the training circuit or perhaps enjoy a group class. That is fantastic! Sometimes we are looking for that little bit more. Maybe you’re just starting out or getting back into fitness, perhaps you want to tie your fitness goals in to match your lifestyle and hobbies,  or you want to lose weight or sometimes you just need that extra accountability to ensure those workouts get done.  Wherever you are on your journey a Personal Trainer might be just what you are looking for?

• You don’t know where to start! Sitting down and creating your own exercise program and schedule can be overwhelming all on its own then add in the knowledge it takes to choose the exercises, complete the exercises with correct form and then keeping yourself accountable. This alone could be your stumbling block to forget the whole crazy idea. Working with a personal trainer they will create a schedule that meets your specific goals, maximizing the use of your available time while providing you with the knowledge to complete the program and adding that extra much needed accountability. The “tough love” 

• You are not seeing results! If you have been consistent with your workouts for several weeks or months and you are still not seeing the gains or shall we call them losses hiring a trainer might be your golden ticket. A trainer can look at your current training program, eating habits and help you see where you can make some changes to be more effective in fueling your body and workouts.  A trainer can work with you on your goals. Are they SMART- specific, measureable, attainable, realistic and timely?! They can hold you accountable and help to motivate you to take those workouts to a new level. Perhaps you are getting results and your unable to see them. A trainer can help provide that 20/20 vision from seeing on the outside.

• You are bored and need the challenge! Perhaps you have been following the same old routine and exercises and need a little something added to your workout?! Maybe your  workouts have gotten easier because you have gotten better? Sometimes we are so used to our own routine and our self-perceived limitations that working with a trainer can push us outside of our usual bubble. A trainer can introduce you to fresh new ideas, equipment to challenge you in different ways. Even setting up a workout with a trainer once a week, every couple weeks or once a month to give you that additional push and variety in your workout can be that much needed change to inspire all your workouts. That one workout will always be the one that you push a little harder and possible even surprise yourself of what you are truly capable of.

• You have a specific injury, illness or condition! If you have any specific health injuries working with a personal trainer in partnership with your doctor and/or physical therapist can be beneficial in the healing of an existing injury but also in avoiding any future problems. Your program can be created specifically for you and your health concerns.

• Training for a specific sport or event!  Perhaps you have an upcoming running race in mind? Thinking about completing your first ever Triathlon?  You want to improve your golf game? Your trainer can complete a training program specific to your sport of choice with a timeline specific to meeting your goal.  

• You want to workout at home or perhaps at the office? If your preference is to completely avoid the crowds and enjoy your workout within your own home or office a personal trainer could be a great choice for you. If you don’t have any equipment your trainer could bring the gym to you. Or perhaps you have some equipment but you are not sure how to use it. Your trainer could even provide you with insight on what equipment you might want to include into your home gym.

Still unsure if a Personal Trainer can provide benefit to your training?! Most trainers offer a free 30 minute consultation where you can discuss your goals, what you want to accomplish and basically if I was you- interview them! Are they the person who will push you? Will they be able to inspire you when you are not in the mood for that workout? Are they focused on what you want to accomplish? Is this the person who you can have that fabulous “love/hate” relationship with?! Do they get you and do you get them?!

Yvonne Bainbridge

Eat Well. Be Active

For more information on Personal training/ On-line coaching with me please contact me at

 2eatwellbeactive@gmail.com or (403)634-5075

Mandy Emery's Will Do for 2014

Mandy’s Will-Do for 2014

My number one goal for 2014 is deceptively difficult - it sounds so simple, but I know that it will be a real challenge for me.  What I’m setting out to do is to control my temper and stop shouting - especially at my kids.  I don’t mean to sound like I’m a crazy person that is always yelling and carrying on - but I have those all-to-common moments where my chest gets tight, my blood pressure rises and I get so frustrated that I could scream - and too often I do!  And then I get even more frustrated - at myself.  After YEARS - and I mean years - of nearly daily yoga practice, how can I still lose my cool like that?  So my biggest goal for this year is to take all that I am ON my mat - flexible, strong, consistent, temperate - and take it OFF my mat and into my real life.  I found a great quote the other day - “Advancing in your yoga practice means that you can continue doing basic things - like breathing deeply, observing your entire body, and quieting your inner narrator - in increasingly difficult situations (on and off your mat)”.  That pretty much sums it up. 

That’s the big goal - in fewer words, it is to make my LIFE my practice, to commit to living as fully as I can in the moment, and to prioritize the quality of my actions over the quantity of them (the to-do list isn’t likely to go anywhere...). 

My other goals for the year are as follows:

-  continue to make one-on-one time with Chris a priority (date nights, maybe even a weekend away sans kids, etc)

-  Put my best efforts forward with my new job

-  continue with yoga each morning before work - I’m currently at a steady 30-45minutes, I’d like to increase that to 45-60minutes if possible.  Once weekly this will be a 6am Bikram yoga class (90min).  My goal posture to master for this year is peacock (a forearm balancing inversion) AWAY from wall support! 

-  continue running avg 3d/week - I’ve joined the Marathon Club again and my #1 goal race is the Waterton-Glacier Relay in June.  I’m sure I’ll do a number of smaller events as well. 

-  2013 photo book finished by the end of Feb 2014

-  finally finish Sebastian’s baby book (he’s 26mo!! LOL)

-  One visit to Kelowna with kids

-  One trip to Ontario with kids if possible

-  At least 3x camping overnights this summer

-  At least 2x ski weekends this winter

-  Sober February as in 2013 

30 Day Yoga Challenge

The month of December is traditionally one of those months where the potential for stress and chaos can creep into our lives. The overwhelming shopping list, overflowing calendar of social functions and never ending to do lists. As humans when the lists become big and the obligations increase we tend to leave our personal needs at the bottom of the list. 

This is where I want to introduce the 30 Day Yoga Challenge! 30 days and only minutes of your life! The maximum amount of time you will be asked to dedicate will be 10-15 minutes.  This will be a morning practice! Yes morning…. There will be no life got in the way so I couldn't do it. For the month of December life will be starting with some peaceful yoga flow. Basically my expectations look like this…. Alarm goes off! You open your eyes, roll out of bed and unless your eyeballs are floating you are going to hit the mat! Just like that. Did I mention the other great part of yoga no special attire required. Comfy PJ’s work great and if you sleep au naturel please no sharing pictures of your practice with the group but otherwise if your comfortable fire away….

We will start the first week of the challenge focusing on Sun Salutation A. This is the basic yoga sequence that everyone who has attended a yoga class will have completed at some point. The option is yours to commit to completing your Sun Sal “x” amount of times. As a group will be completing 3-5 rounds of each Sun salutation. I will be posting video's and printables for each of the Sun Salutations. 

First 10 days- Sun Salutation A 3-5 for rounds

Days 10-19 Sun Salutation A and B for 3-5 rounds

Days 20-30 Sun Salutation A, B and C for 3-5 rounds.

Completing a 30 day yoga challenge will require discipline, commitment, focus and sacrifice. It won’t guarantee that you will have a yoga habit for life. It will guarantee you to know that you have the ability and a great starting ground on your own yoga practice. So take a leap and come and join me for the Month of December! 

To participate in this challenge email me @ 2eatwellbeactive@gmail.com
You can also find me on facebook @

www.facebook.com/eatwellbeactive