Jane recommends exercising outside
Jane Kersel is a wellbeing expert and founder of SHED yoga, an innovative style of yoga, which develops both the ‘spiritual & the physical’. With over 25 years of Yoga teaching experience and a celebrity clientele, Jane felt it was time to make yoga accessible to all.
Jane is a part of the Venus ProTeam too.
Here she explains about the concept behind it and gives us some tips on what we should be doing to tone certain parts of the body.
What's so special about SHED yoga? Why should we be doing this as opposed to regular yoga?
SHED is a mind and body practise that uses different movements that actually compliment yoga. It can be done in infrared heat (HOT SHED) to make you sweat, providing you with a deeper detox than say a juice fast. This draws out all the toxins we take in during the day by vibrating the molecules within your body so they release those toxins. You can also do SHED at home, where the practice will still give the health and fitness benefits of HOT SHED with an element of cardiovascular work.
What is great about SHED is that it not only increases your flexibility, which is something that is focused on with yoga, but builds your strength especially in your core. It is created specifically for the western body which is used to sitting crouched over a desk, feeling stressed and exposed to electromagnetic waves.
Finally, SHED is backed by naturopathic principles, cleansing and creative movement in your inner body.
What are your recommended exercises for targeting and toning the stomach, arms, back, legs?
To tone the stomach, try a move called The Nutcracker. Begin on your back, palms down by your sides and arms straight. On the inhale bring your knees in towards your chest and as you exhale lift legs straight up above your hips – if you can’t keep your legs straight, bend them with the heels over your hips. Press the palms of your hands into the floor and as you inhale lift and curl your upper body off the floor so your eyes are now looking towards your knees.
Keep the upper body up, curl your pubic bone towards your navel so you feel your lower back press deeper into the floor and as you exhale bring your legs forward to a diagonal away from your head. Only take your legs as low in that diagonal as you can until you feel your belly drawing down and your pubic bone drawing up. Hold here for 5 breaths. As you inhale bring the legs back up, rest the upper body and head back down.
The Tough Monkey is a simple move that will help tone the arms and upper body. For this move, come on to all fours. Walk your hands, one hand length further forwards, tuck your toes under and lift your knees off the floor. Legs straight, shoulders over wrists, arms straight with elbows not locked. Draw your pubic bone towards your navel so that you feel your lower back long, lift your belly in towards your spine. Keep legs strong with heels pressing back.
Keep this position, like a plank. Inhale and as you exhale bend your elbows back and lower your entire body down a couple of centimetres. As you inhale press back up. Try and keep your body / legs in one long line, go up and down 5 times. Then come back to your knees and relax, flatten your feet and press your sitting bones back towards your heels.
To achieve toned, goddess legs like Venus ambassador Jennifer Lopez try The Slow Skiing Monkey. Begin by standing with your feet hip width apart. Legs straight and strong, knee caps lifted and thighs working, with arms by your side. As you inhale lift your arms forward and up, come up onto the balls of your feet and stand tall. As you exhale bend your knees, bring the soles of your feet back to the floor and sit low as if you were reaching your hips back to sit in a comfy chair. Stay here for 5 breaths. Keep pressing the weight back into your heels even though your knees are bent don’t let them shoot beyond your toes.
Now imagine you’re holding a ball between your inner thighs and squeeze in. On the next inhale come back up to the balls of your feet, legs straight, find your balance and as you exhale bring your arms back down by your sides, soles of the feet on the floor.
What's your workout must haves?
First of all, avoid calling it a ‘work out’ as you end up begrudging the exercise you do!
Doing it outside, wherever possible, so you can feel the earth and bring it all back to nature
Going bare foot so you can really ground yourself
Strip everything else, with no distractions like music, and really centre on yourselfHave a shower after your session, alternating between hot and cold water every 2 minutes – but always shave with hot water with a razor that works on sensitive skin, such as Venus ProSkin Sensitive
Are there any new fitness trends that we should be trying?
SHED!
What's your ultimate fitness tip?
Don’t take it all too seriously! If you only have 10 minutes, use them and enjoy
Focus on your breathing
Move at every opportunity you have, whether it be walking to work, taking the stairs rather than the lift or even just walking up the escalators from the tube
To get more tips and advice on how to achieve body balance and to put your questions to the Venus ProTeam visit www.facebook.com/GilletteVenusUK
Femalefirst Taryn Davies
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