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Why I’m Adding Fitness To My Yoga Life & Why You Should Too!

October 29, 2015 By Monica Stone 6 Comments

(Disclosure: This is a sponsored post by Kiqplan. I only review things that I love & that I feel will benefit my readers! The opinions and experiences are all authentic and my own!)

I’ve been ready to add exercise to my life since my trip to Nepal a few years ago. I went on a mountain bike ride with the most wonderful ladies ever, but it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.

Let me explain – this wasn’t just any mountain bike ride. 

They said it would moderate, but this was moderate x’s 50. I’m not even exaggerating. When I looked at the the rocky uphill path, my eyes couldn’t open wide enough. It seemed impossible, and I had no idea how my legs were going to handle it. I had no experience with mountain biking, and this wasn’t just uphill – it was extreme.

We were all struggling. The problem was that I was the weakest person there, and by a lot. I was totally beside myself because history has shown that I’m usually one of the strongest in the group.

I’ve always been a strong girl. When I was in elementary school, I raced my whole fifth grade class, and I won! 

I’m also a former gymnast that learned to do backflips on the balance beam and do pull ups on the bars when I was under 10. Because I did that at such a young age, I have amazing upper body strength.

gymnastics

I was honestly about to turn around because of how much I was struggling, but I didn’t want to give up.

Making it through this ride was one of the most empowering things I’ve ever done. It was about never giving up, internal strength, and moving forward more than anything.

But, this was a sign that my endurance and energy was not as strong as it used to be. Not by a long shot. 

mountain bike ride2

I used to do spinning classes, run on a treadmill, and the elliptical for hours. When I found yoga, everything changed. I mixed fitness and yoga for awhile, but when I started my yoga apprenticeship, I canceled my gym membership and dedicated to my 6 day Ashtanga practice, and never looked back

There were no questions. Honestly, I was happy to give up spinning and exercise machines. Ashtanga yoga is a high intense practice, and I found yoga way more fascinating than being at the gym anyway. 

That’s why when Kiqplan contacted me to partner with them, I was excited to say yes.  I’m going to be using their app to do their 12 week fitness plan!

I’ve already started it, and it’s awesome! They had me do a fitness test, and put me on a fitness schedule. I know exactly how many steps I need to take, and how many calories I need to eat each day. I follow a personalized fitness plan for 12 weeks.

They also welcome me daily with messages of motivation and fitness tips. They have a whole section dedicated to healthy recipes, and workout video downloads. I keep a daily journal of my sleep patterns, a food diary, and log how I’m feeling each day. It’s so cool!

kiqtip


My personal goal is not necessarily to lose a ton of weight (but at least a few pounds!) or get super toned (but I would like those sweet ab lines!), but more to increase my energy, stamina, and endurance. 

I also want to have more variety in my diet. I seriously have two or three go to meals, and make them daily. 

And, my final goal is to get on a normal sleep pattern. 

UPDATE: 

All in all, this app was good if you keep up with it. You have to keep yourself motivated, but it works if you stick with it. 

I toned my body, started drinking smoothies, gained energy, and lost a few pounds while I was at it!

Let me know if you try it!

xoxo,

Monica

Filed Under: Daily Life, Yoga Challenges

Monica Stone

About Monica Stone

Monica is a lover of all things yoga, a vegetarian, an avid tea drinker, and never gets sick of soup and noodle dishes. She teaches yoga, practices daily, and runs a Spiritual Book Club in Orlando, FL. She likes to challenge the strict rules of yoga, and makes it accessible for everyone - especially people who suffer from daily life and work stress.

« Do You Need To Be Spiritual To Practice Yoga?
Padangusthasana: Touch Your Toes! »

Hi! I’m Monica

Monica StoneWell hello there! I'm Monica. I'm a yoga & meditation teacher (and junkie). I teach yoga practices that are quick and effective for the busy person who just needs a few minutes of quiet time in their day. Click around and you'll find quick meditation tips for calming the mind to simple stretches to relieve stress and tension. If you are sick of being intimidated by yoga or just confused by all of the different styles out there - then this page is for you. Yoga helps me daily & I know it will help you too! I'll show you how! Welcome to The Yogi Movement :)

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Testimonials

  • Jaime ShearerJaime ShearerYoga Student Since 2012

    Monica is dedicated to her own practice and the true path of yoga - the one of personal experience - which makes her an outstanding teacher. She is warm and easy to talk with, and she allows the student to have their own experience on the mat. She explains postures and breath in ways that are understandable so that the student "gets it." She makes yoga real and tangible in ways that truly serve the student. Work with Monica. You'll be glad you did.

  • Jacob AbercrombieJacob AbercrombieYoga Student Since 2011

    have always wanted to try yoga, but was always nervous. Monica took that fear away and made me feel like i was the only one in class with a room full of strangers. She is able to work with multiple students during the same move and still make it a personalized class for one.

  • Serena JonesSerena JonesYoga Student Since 2010

    Monica has been a highly influential teacher to me. She creates a safe environment for learning and practice. I have always felt grounded in her classes, and she pushes me beyond my own expectations. She inspires and motivates! I can't imagine my life without sharing a path with her!

  • Angela OrofinoAngela OrofinoYoga Student Since 2011

    Monica is a caring, wise, thoughtful, and talented yoga instructor. She has an in-depth knowledge of the philosophy and spirituality of Ashtanga yoga. My previous yoga experience had mostly just been at my local gym. Luckily, last year I found Monica. She has been guiding my practice at least once a week since then. As a newcomer to Ashtanga yoga, Monica made me feel comfortable and had the patience to teach me the basics. She also encouraged me to start an at home practice so that I was able to obtain a deeper understanding of Ashtanga. Monica is always encouraging and lets me know in subtle ways when she feels that I am ready to move deeper into my practice. I feel that the growth in my practice over the last year has been tremendous. Not only do I notice the change in me but others around me do as well. I am so grateful to have found Monica!

  • Sasha TamarSasha TamarYoga Student Since 2012

    I’ve come across many a yoga instructor over the years, but Monica stands out as genuinely amiable, as she glows with an infectious inner light, and highly devoted to and passionate about her practice. Her dedication to Ashtanga as a lifestyle is very clear, and creates for a contagious motivating force. Every time I’ve practiced with her, she eagerly transmits her devotion and passion of Ashtanga and meditation to everyone in class; she makes the most fledgling beginner feel at home, and simultaneously challenges the more advanced students. While I only practice Ashtanga with her, I know she provides therapeutic yoga sessions as well as meditation. And, if her methods of guiding students out of the Ashtanga vigor into the more meditative savasana are indicative of her meditational techniques, I’d recommend her to anyone

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