ROXY Ready Lifestyle

As seen on http://roxy.com/blog/

I grew up in Lake Tahoe where my family and I did every outdoor sport in each season. We would have fun competitions to see who could get the most activities in one day. We spent the majority of our time together on a ski run, trail or lake. Nature became a part of our being and we did not feel complete without it. My adventure took me to Del Mar as an ocean lifeguard, surfer and competitive beach volleyball player.

My focus on healthy living includes a whole foods nutrition program in addition to the physical outdoor lifestyle. I make an attempt every week to make it to the farmers market, cook with a ton of veggies, stay away from packed foods and eat enough to support my active lifestyle. Food should be delicious in addition to healthy, so I find it’s important to get creative with spices, restaurant picks and paleo/vegan dessert recipes. I think it is very important we never feel deprived and treat ourselves every so often. I definitely do not shy away from fresh baked chocolate chip cookies when the family gets together. The 80/20 rule is my go-to when it comes to conscious healthy eating vs. living it up!

When it comes to workouts, I find doing a few yoga poses after exercise to be very important in keeping me going full speed. If I don’t take the time to do these poses or foam roll after a run or beach volleyball, my body tightens up and I do not recover as fast. I feel stiff the next day and my performance goes down. In addition, the breathing that comes with each yoga pose keeps my mind clear and focused. I feel in the moment and powerful.

Here are a few post-running or workout stretches that will keep your body limber and feeling fabulous.

Low Lunge

• Come onto your knees. Step right foot forward (knee right over the ankle) and keep left knee rested on the floor.
• Hinge at your hips until you feel a deep stretch in the hips. Clasp your hands behind your back and lift your chest. Stay low in the legs.
• Hold for 5-10 deep breaths each side.

Warrior II

• Stand with feet wider than hip-width. Turn right toes out and left toes in. Deeply bend right leg, bringing knee directly over ankle. Keep left leg straight and engaged.
• Extend arms out to straight and gaze over right finger tips. Draw shoulder blades together and keep chest up.
• Hold for 5-10 deep breaths each side.

Tree Pose

• Place all the weight into your right foot. Bring left foot above or below your knee, pressing foot into thigh. Stand up nice and tall keeping core engaged the entire time.
• Gently press knee out to the side, getting a stretch throughout the entire hip complex.
• Hold for 5-10 deep breaths each side.

Straddle Stretch

• Stand with feet wider than hip-width. Extend arms to straight, directly out from shoulders.
• Hinge at your hips and lower down until torso is parallel with the ground. Keep core engaged to support back. You can always keep a slight bend in your knees.
• Hold for 5-10 deep breaths.

Eagle

• Place all the weight on your right foot. Deeply bend right knee and cross leg over right. Toes can hook onto the back of your calf.
• Staying low in your legs, extend arms out from shoulders. Cross left arm on top of right and bring the backs of your hands or palms together. Lift up and out, extending arms forward.
• Hold for 5-10 deep breaths each side.