BOAT POSE AND THE THIRD CHAKRA

 Photography by CEBB /Pants from Terranova

There is something really rewarding about working out your stomach. It makes me feel strong and powerful, as if I could do anything. I can't really tell that I worked out if I haven't activated my abs. A great exercise to do so, is the yoga pose boat pose. 

I personally do 3 series of 10 reps each. Start by holding the pose for about 3 breaths then lower both your legs and upper body to the ground, So it almost touches it. Then lift yourself back up, hold for a breath and lower again. Go go go!!! It may seem hard at first, but it is a good workout and you'll definitely feel the buuuurn. If that's a tad too much, you can simply hold the boat pose for a few breaths or do a half-boat pose with bent knees, as shown in the third picture. Maintain for 3-5 breaths or until you start shaking. The longer you hold the pose as your body is shaking, the more muscle you build. Release by doing Camel pose, a shown in the last picture. You will feel free and satisfied.

These exercises are responsible for opening the third chakra which stimulates the energy in the so-called Solar Plexus chakra. It is somewhere slightly above your navel and between your solar plexus. It corresponds to the yellow color and deals with the life force and the vital breath also known as chi. A weak Third Chakra can be identified by poor digestion or eating disorders, lack of confidence and inability of finding joy in simple things. To build up a strong third chakra, that will empower your career, intelligence, keep you happy and free you from inhibitions, do these exercises. I also love doing chakra meditaton, try this one is really nice. Both cleansing and relaxing, but also refreshing at the same time.

RAW WATERMELON CAKE

Happy Birthday Maddy!!! 

Super Raw Watermelon Cake Recipe:

Cut a medium size watermelon in layers

Mush 4 bananas with camu camu berry for the filling 

Add pineapple between the layers

Garnish with 3 sour mangoes and sprinkle some cacao beans on top

Hope you liked your cake babe!! :))

AURORA FASHION WEEK

The 7th season of AURORA FASHION WEEK took place in St Petersburg from April 15th till 21. As you know I love creative and beautiful things, and I was really impressed by some of the designers. Here are my favorite outfits from the runway.

1 - 2. Ianis Chamalidy. Flowy, gorgeous and elf like. Perfect for a cool Scandinavian mid-summer night party.
3. Lidia Demidova. Soft structure, styled and yet casual at the same time.
4. Pirosmani by Jenya Malygina. "-Beam me up, Scotty!"
5. Bondarev. Cute, but cool and classy, with some Mad Men vibes.

6. Chapurin. Really nice textures and colors, beautifully paired. 
7. Leonid Titow. I think Leonid might be as obsessed with Game of Thrones as me. Love it!!!
8- 9. Gaetano Navarra. Strong cultural influence gives these outfits a diffident kind of silhouette from the norm.
10. Liza Odinokikh. Light colours can boost your mood. The yellow splash gives this look just that little extra kick of energy.

To visit the offical page go to www.afwrussia.com or check out more videos at FashionOne.
http://www.fashionone.com/programs/fashion-week/kaminsky-aurora-fashion-week-russia-spring-summer-2013

FREE LIKE A KING PIGEON

Photography by Oliver Janesh Christiansen /Cloths from KohSamui

Two of my favorite Yoga poses are Cobra (like in the first picture) and Pigeon pose (like in picture number two). They both stretch and releases tension in the hips and lower abdomen. These poses are good for increasing flexibility in the spine. Add a twist; fancy it up to King Pigeon pose, the one as you can see in the last picture and it massaging the liver, spleen and kidneys too.

Both Cobra and Pigeon are associated with the 2^nd Chakra which is located just below your bellybutton.  It’s said, that it corresponds to the color orange, hence my orange shirt  ;). It deals with one’s creativity, imagination, sexuality and being comfortable in the physical body.  Also has to do with your social skills and being able to relate in an open-hearted way, plus having a sense of humor. A weak second chakra may result in lack of confidence and a fragile sense of self-worth. That you get upset by others words and actions easy, but also that you can’t forgive yourself for past mistakes.

Time to change all that and upgrade your self-forgiveness. Everyone makes mistakes!!! Sure, there are consequences for all actions, but look for the lesson in your mistake to become a better YOU. Don’t punish yourself and believe that you’re unworthy of something. Never give up on yourself!  Just SHINE, you’re OK they way you are! Mean it.

Originaly Posted on FashionOne

CRUELTY FREE MAKEUP

I was SO HAPPY to hear that EU ban testing on animals earlier this year. Inspired me to do this blog post about some amazing make-up and beauty products that are already out there and Don't test on animals. Hopefully next year Peta's list is going to get much longer. If you want to check out the whole list it's here.

The following brands are some that I personally love, there all in different price ranged, and all been 100%  tested on a human. 

ME!

Aveda is my number one go-to company when it comes to hair. Absolutely adore it, I use the Invati Shampoo, it gives my hair extra thickness, a fresh feeling and my scalp get's squeaking clean. I alternate my conditioner between the Dry Rememdy and Damage Remedy, and I swear by the Damage Remedy Leave-in Conditioner .

I alos use some of their beauty products and really like them. Here are some of Aveda's best selling products.

The best thing about The Body Shops products is the smell. DELICIOUS! Their all so damn fruity. Prolly my favorite item is the Pink Grapefruit shower gel, really wakes you up in the morning and gives you that fresh start. Another yummy smelling thing is the coconut body butter, it's actually hard not to take a mouth full. 

I do get people that are concerned with The Body Shop, it now is owned by L'Oreal and they Do test on animals. However Body Shop is still on Peta's list which is VERY strict so I trust that non of the indigents have been tested on cute little bunnies. :/

Another high quality brand is the earth friendly natural Personal Care Company called Burt's Bees. Try their Natually Nourishing Milk and Honey Body Lotin, Sugar Scrub and lip-balms. 

Carmex also does animal friendly lip balms, use it on dry winter days to keep your lips kissable. 

Two very different make-up brands I love equally are WetAndWild and Smashbox. 

WetAndWild have a tones of  great eye shadows lip jellies and nail polish at super low prices. 

The high end Smashbox is a L.A brand and the favorite of tones of Hollywood starlets. Super potent and amazing quality. Their BB cream, O-gloss, mascara and Blush Rush are just a few best sellers. 

Click here to check it out.

Take care of your skin with Dermalogica, Dr Hauschka or Murad. Not only are these cruel free brands but darling to your skin it's sex. Time to indulge.

Anyone that really knows me know that I'm passionate about hair. 

Paul Mitchell is one of those few unbelievable hair care brands that  can change your frizzy nightmare into cascading supermodel hair. Awarded with "the leaping bunny" they have never ever tested one of their products on animals. A philosophy I really like.

Wish Prada did more beauty products, it's a brand that not only stands for some amazing innovative and quality things but also care how they do them. 

No, I didn't forget about you guys. 

Well I haven't personal tested these, but going on the products they make for gals Dermalogica and Aveda  does some great stuff. 

Also it's usually easy to find The Body Shop in each mall and their prods are really nice too. One pleasant surprise is that Diddy also made it onto Peta's VIP list. I knew there was a reason I always like him when I met him in da Club. 

WARRIOR ONE

 

You know how much I like Yoga!! How great it is, not only for your body but also for your mind. But did you know that a lot of the yoga poses are linked to different chakras in the body? I thought it was a a good way to show you guys some different poses. In India a lot of people believe that chakras are the energy centers of spiritual power that connects the soul with the physical body. All of the different chakras represent various parts of your life, and if your having some kind of trouble in your life, your might have one of these chakras blocked or out of balance. I'm going to go threw each chakra, what they represent and what yoga poses are good for it. 

Let's start with warrior one, hold the pose for 5 breath and you'll start to feel the burn. Not only does it really strengthen the legs and provides a good stretch to your arms and shoulders, supposedly it helps to opened up the root chakra. The root chakra is the first chakra and located at the base of the spine. It deals with one's connection to the earth, survival, passion, physical vitality, anger and warrior-like strength. A weak first chakra can be identified by lack of energy, lack of passion, lack of sexual desire, depression, inability to ground or center oneself and experience the present moment. Yeah, no thanx, I don't want any of that, I'd rather have warrior-like strength.

Pictures by Maddy Johnson /Top, shorts and accessories from Koh Samui

SPOILED AT CRIMSON

 

Photography by Ryan Hager

Dress by Agencies turQuoise 

If you ever get the option of staying at Crimson Hotel and Spa Mactan, go ahead and do it! We got an amazing huge room, their Beach Front Casita, with a great view, our own porch, a living room, a super comfy bed and complementary wine. I was really impressed by their lunch buffet and I don't think I've been that full since Christmas. Witch is really fitting because it felt like Christmas morning staying there. Another plus was that Saturday, Crimson had a huge party for Earth Hour, yummy treats were given out and I met a whole bunch of really cool ladys from Cebu!! I'm really starting to like it over here!! :)