by Mollie Millington | Feb 6, 2020 | class review, Uncategorized, yoga
Instagram has a knack of knowing which adverts will interest me. Most of my feed is about exercise and fitness, as well as dogs. They got their algorithm right when Pawside Yoga popped into my feed. Yoga in a room full of puppies? I was sold, even with a price tag of £30. It would be a birthday treat so I booked it for a few days after my birthday. Get ready for lots of puppies and selfies!
When I arrived 15 minutes before the class was due to start, I was asked to wait outside as the yoga mats and puppies had not yet arrived. Two minutes after the class was supposed to start, the mats arrived and we were allowed in. No names were checked or release forms signed. We started five minutes late and were told the yoga portion of the class was actually only 20 minutes long because in the last puppy yoga class, everyone was screaming and laughing making the class not relaxing for people or dogs. I was immediately disappointed as I was planning on the yoga class being part of my marathon training recovery day. Pawside Yoga said they “decided it’s best to not have them around from the beginning as they get tired quickly and need rest, also it could potentially be a serious hazard for puppies if they got squashed by anyone during the session or a customer to slip on any accidents from the puppies, it would have also disrupted the class if we were cleaning accidents up.”
The yoga was very basic, making the class suitable for all levels. A few downward dogs, child poses, and low lunges were followed by a happy baby and savasana. The instructor kept things light, making little jokes as music played in the background but the studio lights were left on. She made a couple jokes about people not knowing left and right however, she did not mirror her movements to the class (use left arm when she tells class to use right). As a group ex instructor, I know this can confuse people.
While we lay in savasana, the seven puppies were brought into the studio, allowing us 20 minutes to coo over them. The Pawside Yoga team of five kept an eye on the pups and were quick to pick up any ‘accidents’ and replace used puppy pads asap. We were not given any instructions on how to/not to handle the dogs, which I thought was a bit strange. Most people were fairly passive and let the dogs come within arm’s reach before scooping them up. There wasn’t any water out for the puppies either and some were panting by the end of the 20 minutes. When I asked Pawside Yoga about this, they said “there is always water available for the puppies too as they can get hot running around. The owner is always on site and makes sure the puppies are safe and well cared for.” I was in a far corner so may have missed the water bowl if it was near the studio door.
The provided yoga mats were inexpensive but once the puppies entered, I found out why. They pee and poo wherever they want! The puppies loved playing with the strange puppies that appeared in the mirrors; chewing on socks, straps, and plants; fighting over toys; posing for selfies. The puppies did lots of exploring and everyone was able to fawn over whichever was was nearby at the time. I did ask Pawside Yoga which regulations they need to follow to ensure care of the animals but they did not address this in their email reply. They did clarify that they only work with licenced breeders.
As attendees for the next class started to queue outside about 10 minutes before their class, we were told we needed to pack up. The puppies were wrangled and placed into a temporary pen for a break from people. They were still fairly playful with each other but I imagine they soon fell asleep from all of the excitement.
Pawside Yoga asked for my feedback the following day via Instagram and were open to what I had to say. I tend to take things literally and was disappointed that there wasn’t 45 minutes of yoga. Also, the location was near Clapham Junction, which meant it took me 80 minutes to get home, compounded my disappointment. Perhaps if it was more central, I wouldn’t have minded so much. Pawside Yoga is working with additional studios in London soon, such as Frame, so keep an eye out for a session near you.
Studies have shown that petting a dog can reduce blood pressure and owning a dog can have other benefits (increased physical fitness and overall general satisfaction. It isn’t possible for everyone, especially those who live in a city or work full-time. If you want to attend puppy yoga, be open to the fact that yoga might not be the primary focus. If you want to spend more time with dogs, please consider volunteering for the Cinnamon Trust, who arrange dog walkers for elder or disabled people.
Everyone in the class was smiling ear to ear when playing with the puppies and left with a spring in their step. Let me know if you decide to go and what you think.
by Mollie Millington | Jan 28, 2020 | class review, yoga
Growing up with four proper seasons, I must say I really miss having a proper winter. I find London has two season- cold and raining and warm and raining. I try to find snowy mountains at least once a year. We are very fortunate to have friends who own a chalet in Verbier, Switzerland which makes it much easier some years. Last year, I tried skiing in Italy for the first time and loved it. While I won’t be able to ski until after the Tokyo Marathon (not long now!), the apres ski culture is still something I enjoy when I can.
When my friend, Alison, told me about yoga for skiers in Central London, I was quite keen to join in. For only £10 and not too early on a Friday morning, I signed up immediately. Savage Garden Rooftop bar, which is near Tower Bridge station, has kitted out their space with cosy wooden panelling, red tablecloths and ski-themed decor. Yeh Yoga instructor, Emily, was bright-eyed and bushy tailed as I arrived a little bit early for my class. Alison and I were long overdue for a catch up and with early work meetings, 7am was the only time we were free to chat. We go way back to when I lead the Boutique Sport run club in Piccadilly Circus. Over the years, we have stayed in touch, primarily through Facebook, cheering on our fitness pursuits. She loves skiing too but we have yet to go on a holiday together. She has been going to Yoga for Skiers every Friday morning and I see why she enjoys it.
A small class of about eight people had both Emily and an assistant to keep an eye on our form as we woke up with the sunrise over London. The view from Savage Garden overlooked the cityscape. It was dark when the class started and slowly the light started to brighten. But it was overcast, so no glorious sunrise could be seen. We started off with moves that warmed up our bodies and got them ready for exercises that strengthen our bodies to hit the slopes. Most of it, I was not very good at but I can see how weekly sessions would prepare me for the slopes. There was lots of stability and some crazy ‘ninja’ moves that are supposed to help you stand up if you fall. I was absolutely rubbish at these! Laughter was welcomed as most of us struggled to succeed at these movements and were falling all over the place.
The other reason I was excited about this class was that I could wear all of my nerdy kit themed kit and not look out of place, or so I thought. My Terez leggings has photos of ski slopes and I wore my Hey Holla ‘Apres Ski’ sweatshirt too. While Emily was amused, no one else seemed to notice. Oh well.
I haven’t been back but I think this class is perfect for everyone and a great deal at £10 (plus Eventbrite fees). I might even try to go to Savage Garden in the evening for the mulled wine and shot skis at some point.
by Mollie Millington | Dec 3, 2019 | gift guide, holistic, relax, self care, yoga
This year, as I was injured, I tried to focus a lot on self-care, which is something I don’t usually prioritize when I am physically able. As I couldn’t run to release my stress and frustration, so I had to come up with other ways to keep myself occupied. I read a lot of books, we adopted a sassy dog, I practiced more yoga at the local gym I work at (but not as much as I should of) and watched a lot of Grey’s Anatomy.
Here are some gift suggestions for people in your life who could use more work-life balance, aren’t in to high impact exercise, or just need some encouragement to be happy. Anything with a * I was given to review and I think is pretty great. Other items were suggested to me but I have not tested them out. Is there anything else I should add to the list?
Yoga Matters natural linen eye pillow*- I had never used an eye pillow before I received this in a goody bag. It is actually heavier than I thought it would be, yet somehow relaxing when placed over my eyes. It is filled with lavender-scented linseed and has a removable linen outer cover in case you get eye make-up on it. You can even place over your hands to ground you in savasana, making it very versatile in its use. It is handy to carry with you wherever you go. I will be bringing mine along to my next sports massage.
Run Up 2 Christmas event– This might actually be a gift for yourself, but why not join my Run Up 2 Christmas team as we aim to run 50Km together in December? All proceeds go to Mind Charity and you will receive a medal at the end of the month. Get your friends and colleagues to sign up to for added motivation to keep moving this month.
Run Things Run Club (RTRC) membership*- This virtual run club is a supportive and friendly space online and across social media which can help hold you accountable on the days you don’t want to run. They are also the folks behind RU2C above. Whether it is your work schedule or location that prevents you from joining a local run club, this is a fantastic alternative. It is a one-off payment for a lifetime membership, emails, and access to a private Facebook group.
Barrecore on demand and Barrecore accessory pack- London’s original boutique barre collective and the workout synonymous with the lithe bodies of Jourdan Dunn, Pippa Middleton and Claudia Schiffer are now available for you to do at home (if running isn’t your thing). The brand has an ON Demand online workout membership for which you will need a few accessorizes. At just £25 per month, the online-workout programme is the chance to stream The Barrecore Method from any device and in any location, to create lasting change in your body in just a few weeks. The accessory pack (£39, shown here) contains everything you’d need to keep your barre-training going, no matter the time or location.
Sea Soul box set- Sea Soul Blessings are mindfulness tools that awaken the ‘blue mind’ benefits of being in or around water. The simple daily practice of drawing a card each day to evoke the sea can be as rejuvenating as a trip to the beach. In Wallace J Nicholls’ bestselling book, “Blue Mind”, Nicholls explains that spending time in and around water has the power to calm us when we’re anxious and overwhelmed. It also boosts our focus and sense of wellbeing, lowers stress and anxiety, builds resilience. I know the moment I enter warm water (not the 10 degree C kind), I can feel the tension in my body melt away. Just like sea swimming, the cards clear the mind, encourage reflection, help us to release tension, and boost wellbeing. Regular use helps to shift unhelpful thoughts, develop greater self compassion and move towards positive life changes – while also building a sense of connection to the world around us. Sea Soul Blessing also donate to environmental projects from every sale, protecting the natural world for future generations. A great gift to help ground someone you love.
Dook soap making workshop– Sure, smelly soap makes a great gift (and this product is exceptional!), but why not go a bit further and gift a soap making experience? My friend, Helen, founded Dook and puts a lot of thought into her products to make them luxurious and eco-friendly. She recently added a shampoo bar to her range (bye bye plastic bottles!). If you live Edinburgh or want a weekend away, book in for this unique learning opportunity.
Body and Soul gift box- This is perfect for someone who needs to be pampered in a more traditional way. The gift box includes bath salts, a face mask and jade face roller – perfect for that much needed me-time while enjoying the candle to create a calming atmosphere. A Body and Soul journal and pen also provide support for well being and self-development over time.
Voucher for Wellness appointments (female) or Wellness appointment (male)- How often do we stop and take time to access our health? This in-depth private GP appointment can help your loved one establish a baseline level of health and if any action is needed in terms of nutrition, exercise, or stress reduction. There are several different levels of appointment service that may include a thorough consultation and examination with an experienced doctor, a resting electrocardiogram, extensive blood testing, and a follow-up consultation or a written report summarizing the medical as well as giving recommendations for future care. Blood tests may include a full haematology profile, infection and inflammation markers, full cholesterol screen, kidney function screen, iron profile, glucose level, vitamin D level, thyroid function screen and more depending on what you are worried about. I have worked with the Walk-In Clinic in the past, and have been impressed with what they have to offer. There is always enough time to sit and chat with GP, you are never rushed, which is why I love this practice. Their clinic also offers a travel vaccination clinic* and marathon medicals.*
Function360 vouchers*- If your friend or family member is a weekend warrior and lives in London, why not treat them to a gift voucher to Function360? Located near Moorgate Station, the team does it all, from prehab to post-hab, sports massage, dry needling, physiotherapy and more. New clients also get 15% off their first appointment with my code #F360MM15. I have been going there for several years now and have absolutely seen an improvement in my body mechanics and use #challenge52 to find us on social media.
52 Weekend Challenges: Cultivating health and happiness– You might not have seen that I wrote a book which came out in January of this year. Available as an e-book or in print on your local Amazon website (it is free for those with Kindle Unlimited in UK). It is a great way to spend a year gently exploring different aspects of life just outside your comfort zone. There is a private Facebook group too. Message me to join!
Gratitude and resilience journals by Awesome Inc– My friend, Nicky, has built a pretty cool business up over the years using her skills in graphic design. Her products offer readers ways to build a healthier and happier life. Who doesn’t want that? There is a range for kids, adults, and case studies of schools incorporating her products into their curriculum with amazing results. Simply writing down three things a day you are grateful for can have a large impact on your mindset.
Float session at Floatworks*– This experience makes a great gift as the price tag might deter some folks from giving it a try. For 60 minutes, you float in a salty bath in an enclosed pod to let your mind drift away without any distractions from the outside world. It may take a few sessions for the full relaxation effect but the long-term benefits of better sleep and less anxiety are worth it. (I will be writing up a full review of my experience later this month). This is a great gift idea for the person who has seen and done it all as it is pretty new on the health scene.
What are you asking Santa for this year to improve your health and wellbeing?
by Mollie Millington | Jun 26, 2019 | exercise, fitness, yoga
For the third year in a row, I made my way down to Tobacco Docks early on a Saturday morning. It usually takes some sort of workout for me to get up early and Sweatlife Festival is no exception. For about £30, you have a multitude of 45 minute classes to choose from, featuring many of the London boutique studios, such as Frame, KoBox, Un1t London, Third Space, and Triyoga. Big name yogis come in to teach hundreds of students. Then there are other perks, such as healthy food options (prosecco too), a marketplace, hair braiding in the Mermaid Cave and a stretch out space with foam rollers.
After registering, we all received a water bottle to ensure we reduced our plastic use over the course of the day. I got in at 8:30am for my first session at 9am, which gave me time to explore the layout and see where my registered sessions were. I knew I would have to refill a few times due to the warm weather and all the classes I was going to take, so I also noted where the water refilling stations were.
Why this and not the others?
Your ticket includes one red class and one yellow plus unlimited talks and yoga classes. You get at least three classes for £35 for a single day pass. Last year, I tried KoBox and Un1t to see what they were about. This year, I tried Olympic lifting and a barre class. I tend to skip Frame classes because I worked there ages ago so totally get what the brand is about (plus their classes are intense so I need to conserve my energy for a marathon day). The day is a fantastic opportunity to try out different boutique studios with a minor financial investment.
My first session was Introduction to Olympic Weightlifting with CrossFit London (based in Bethnal Green). My partner was Amanda, who was from Australia and very friendly and experienced in lifting (thank goodness, she had great tips). Unfortunately, we had very loud neighbors which made it hard to hear the instructors. The class was split so we could work on two different movements but still hear our instructors.
My next session was reiki with Re:Mind studio. Based near Victoria station, it is a meditation center that offers reiki, crystal bowl sessions, meditation classes and more. I hadn’t heard of them before so it was very cool to experience their class. Reiki channels energy and vibration to help with healing. I have hard it before in a 1-2-1 setting but never in a large group. It was a lovely way to recoup after an early start and lifting session.
The first talk I went to was all about meditation and mindfulness from Danielle of lululemon corporate office. She gave us a 21 day meditation challenge were we only need to spend a minute a day meditating. The mantra she gave us was ‘I am.’ My meditation reminders are in my diary and I am determined to finish this challenge.
The only yoga class I went to was lead by Sanchia Legister. Funny fact- we sat next to each other on the plane to NYC marathon! Her music selection was amazing, both in mood and lyrical choice. She also doesn’t take yoga too seriously, which made the class of 400 yogis a lot of fun. The energy in the room was amazing. Me being me, I re-introduced myself to her at the end of the class.
The next talk I went to was about doing less but better. Another leader from lululemon’s leadership team talked about how if we cut out 80% of the things we spend energy on to focus on the most important 20%, the resulting outcome would be significantly greater. Inspired by her talk, I already cut out a few one-offs things I volunteered for but weren’t going to help me reach my end goals in life. This has made me feel more relaxed in some ways and focused in others.
My last class of the day was with Xtend Barre London. I thought it would be a traditional barre class, but instead it was a little bit of everything (minus the bar). We did first and second positions, plies, and a bit of rhythmic movement. I definitely felt the burn in my arms and legs. Great music and moves made it a lovely way to end my day.
The last session I tried to attend was a crystal bowl session with Re:Mind but sadly it filled up. I have been meaning to try it but wasn’t sure how it worked. It is still on my list of things to do. My friend, Kate, offers this regularly and I need to make it prioritize it.
Less than a mile from Tobacco Docks is Rinkoff Bakery. So I walked about 15 minutes to enjoy my crodough in the sunshine. It was the best way to end the day. I rarely get over to Whitechapel so this was something I was thinking about all day.
Have you been to Sweatlife before? What did you think? I am signing up again for next year!
by Mollie Millington | Jun 19, 2019 | outdoors, travel, water sports, yoga
After the dance floor, being on the water is my favorite place to be. It is hard living in London, though, to find bodies of water that are not crowded, polluted and/or freezing cold. A few weekends ago, we headed to a wedding in Cornwall during which time we spent a lot of time on coastal trails (and dancing on the dance floor). Even though it was slightly overcast, and stormy seas meant we couldn’t SUP or go on a boat tour, we still manged to get sand in our shoes and take in amazing views.
Two weeks later, I found myself back in Cornwall. Freewave Surf Academy invited me to their site in Bude for their three day surf and yoga retreat (#gifted). The weekend was jam packed but I will try to fill you in on the key bits of info. If you have any questions though, leave a comment below and I will do my best to answer. The weekend kicked off at 4pm on a Friday night with welcome drinks, a yoga lesson and an introduction to surfing lesson on the beach. To finish the evening, a two course vegetarian dinner was served at the house. Unfortunately, I was unable to arrive until 10pm as I was on a course in London until 5pm. I had to take a train to Exeter and was collected my another attendee (who had a car) from Exeter Central Station for the two hour drive to Bude. They did put some food aside for us to enjoy when we arrived. Everyone waited up but quickly went to bed as they already had a yoga class and surf lesson that evening.
The accommodation was a beautiful five bedroom house with large garden, decks, outdoor BBQ, air hockey table, games, and two sitting rooms. We spent most of our time around the kitchen table for breakfast and snacks for lunch. There were two double bedrooms (one with en suite), three bedrooms with two single beds (one with en suite) and then another full bathroom and a half under the stairs. Elle from Keep it Simpelle and I shared a twin room. Loads of windows and sliding glass doors meant the sunlight (when available) illuminated the rooms. There was parking for about five cars and an outdoor shower to rinse out wet suits and feet of sand. We had to move some furniture for yoga when it was raining outside which made all of the spaces very versatile. Plus the beach was close enough to walk to.
Saturday and Sunday are structured differently, depending on the tides. A typical schedule may look like this (although we had 6:00am start on Saturday). The key points are one surf lesson each morning and two yoga classes per day.
7am yoga
8:30am surf lesson
10:30am brunch and video feedback
free time until…
1pm cake and tea
3pm yoga
5pm surf film and chill time on Saturday
7pm dinner on your own on Saturday (we went to a great restaurant, The Beach House, down the road) / BBQ at the house on Sunday
The surf lessons started with basics of how to line up on your board, how to keep it stable as you push up and several options on how to stand up. I was fairly confident that I would not be able to stand up as I cannot do a squat thrust or burpee well. Although I didn’t manager to stand up at my first lesson, I did on my second and third. Robin (Freewave Surf Academy owner) and Charlie (instructor) were there to keep an eye on the six of us, offering tips, providing real-time feedback and keeping our boards stable when a big wave was approaching. In addition to watching us in the water, Robin and Charlie took turns videotaping us from the beach and with a GoPro in the water. After our lessons (which lasted about an hour), we had time to shower and get dressed before Robin put together the clips and reviewed points each of us needed to work on. The primary observation for me was that I needed to keep my head up (looking at where I wanted to go rather than the board) when I tried to stand up.
As I mentioned earlier, we had yoga indoors on the first two days. On Sunday, there was enough sunshine to have one practice in the garden and the second on a clifftop overlooking the sea. There are too many amazing photos (taken by Tommy Hatwell, Plymouth-based commercial and portrait photographer) of both sessions to share here but I have included a few of my favorites. Yoga was taught by the talented Anna Young who is also one of the Freewave Surf Academy instructors. She has a real calming presence and fantastic choice of music. She also helped with breakfast in the mornings and tidied up after us (thank you Anna!).
A fun surprise was taking part in a beach clean up with Ado, who works for the local task force. He explained how much plastic washed up on the beach but also how much the local community works to keep the beach tidy. There were litter pickers and bags at the beach entrance for a #2minutebeachclean movement. We were out there for an hour and filled up one bucket worth of items. Another group had been through earlier, and they collected a lot more than we did. Her told me about how Legos from an old sunken container are washing up on the shore (ironically a sea-themed design) and how his Jack Russel can sniff out stranded seals in the dark.
Most of the guests left Sunday afternoon and evening to get home before work on Monday. With only three people left on Monday, we had an early yoga class and a quick surf session before brunch at 10:00am. There weren’t many waves but I did catch a few small ones before heading back to the house. Robin was kind enough to cook up eggs and bacon at our request. It was a family meal as Charlie and Anna joined us before Elle gave me a lift back to London and Amanda headed back to Staffordshire.
Similar to my ski weekend in Italy with No Boundaries, it was a jam-packed weekend with little time for sleep. My goal for the weekend was to be outside as much as possible. I packed my snorkel, running shoes and trail shoes for hiking. I also had my iPad for reading e-books, and my laptop for doing work (which I only used on the train). The stormy seas were too cloudy for snorkeling and I was too exhausted to run (aside from a few shots with Tommy in the dunes on Sunday night). The weather wasn’t great either so I was happy to stay inside and chat to the other ladies staying that weekend.
The biggest challenge of the weekend was transportation to Bude. It isn’t easy to get to if you don’t have a driving licence or car. The house we stayed at is about 15 minute drive from town, but a short walk from the beach where there is a small snack hut. The fridge and cupboards were stocked with a variety of foods (including dietary requests such as vegan and dairy-free) and drinks (including wine, beer, and gin) but you might want to bring your favorite snacks. For example, I should have packed Diet Coke. The seven of us went to town on Saturday afternoon for grocery shopping (as a few people choose to cook their own meal on Saturday night) and the chemist. We also discovered Temple, a very Instagramable coffee shop and bar that Charlie also works at.
Would I do it again? Heck, yes! I suggested before we left that we schedule a reunion retreat and I hope we do in the autumn before it gets too cold. Robin was open to feedback from us as it was the very first time he held the retreat and he had another group coming in right after us. He was a fantastic host with lots of laughter from everyone over the weekend. I think it would be an active alternative to a birthday party or hen do. You could also make it a couples weekend or travel on your own to meet new people who are interested in the same sports as you. Freewave Surf Academy is happy to arrange any extras that you need (within reason, of course).
Is surfing something you have been meaning to try but haven’t yet? Don’t be shy but instead book in to this intensive weekend and let me know how you get on.
Thanks to Freewave Surf Academy for this complimentary weekend experience. All views and opinions are honest and my own.
by Mollie Millington | Apr 7, 2017 | running, yoga
|
| Running to the finish |
In a perfect world, I would have wrote a post for ‘1 month until London Marathon‘ but the training plan I chose had me running two 20 mile peak weeks. It has been a long 15 weeks of training but I am feeling ready. Now that I am officially in taper mode, a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. My mileage is decreasing, leaving more time for food prep and Dance Moms reruns (my latest guilty pleasure). With less than 3 weeks until my second World Marathon Major, how will my training change in the lead up to the starting line?
Less mileage– This is good as Strava just told me it is time for new shoes. I might use my Salomons 3D this week for short runs. In the post, I recently received Wiiv custom insoles which used photographs of my feet to create the perfect fit. Is 3 weeks enough time to break in new shoes and/or insoles? I am not willing to risk it so I will wait to try these insoles out.
More stength training with Julia B Fit– Every. Time. I. Say. I will strength train. Then I don’t. There just isn’t enough time in the day to work and train in all the disciplines that balance the time on my feet. Julia’s workouts are great because you can mix and match different sessions based on your training goals and how much time you have. You can get started in her online gym for free, so click on the link above and have a mosey around.
 |
| Thank you John Lewis for my new yoga bag. So fancy! |
More yoga– John Lewis sent me a ‘yoga at home’ kit from their wellness campaign. Like strength training, yoga is something I know I need to do more of as a runner, especially one who has Achilles tendonitis and periformis issues. The bag is beautiful and I can totally see it as a beach bag or carry on. There was also a resistance band in the bundle, which will be handy with the strength training point above.
More sleep– Seriously. If you are part of a sleep research lab, can I please be a study subject? I need eight to nine hours normally but then with big miles on top, even more. Any advice on developing quality sleep patterns?
More blogging– Having reached my fundraising goal a few weeks ago, I can now concentrate on writing posts about my time in South Africa, new kit I have been testing out from Get the Label and La Redoute (check out their fitness guide with a mini-profile on me), and trying electro-acupuncture for my periformis pains.
Whole30 rules– After having to stop and use the bathroom four times on my 20 miler on Sunday and three times during Berlin Marathon, I need to get my GI system under control. I will loose a lot of time trying to find a bathroom during London Marathon but also it is no fun having to worry about having an accident for 4+ hours.
What do you do in the last two weeks leading up to a big race? Let me know in the comments below.
Recent Comments