Healthy Energy Snacks

A healthy diet and regular exercise are two of the best things to improve your health. Not only will nutritious foods help you to maintain a healthy body weight, you will feel more energized and alert. According to Health Canada, female adults are required to have at least 7-8 servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Males adults are required to have 8-10 servings.  However, finding time to fit all the necessary servings into your day can be challenging. To make your life easier and to allow you to achieve your healthy eating goals, we have complied a few great snack ideas to get you through your busy day.

1.    No-Bake Energy Bites:

These delicious snacks are perfect for when you are on the go. Filled with healthy oatmeal, flaxseed, coconut flakes and peanut butter, these treats keep you energized for hours. These bites are especially great before a yoga workout or for an afternoon snack. Keep refrigerated and store in an air-tight container.

For recipe information click here.

2.    Chocolate Energy Superfood Bars (Raw Recipe)

For those health-nuts out there, here is another fantastic energy bar recipe. These delicious bars are made with healthy raw ingredients including almonds, dates, hemp seeds, cacao nibs, and dried fruit (we recommend incorporating the superfood goji berries).  Wrap and store in the freezer.

For recipe information click here.

3.    Healthy Banana Smoothie

This no-hassle smoothie is a great snack that will keep you feeling full for hours.  Made with hardy oatmeal, banana, almonds, and yogurt this delicious smoothie is sure to fill any food craving! We recommend trying different variations by adding strawberries and/or blueberries.

For more information click here.

If finding time to make nutritious snacks during the workweek is challenging, prepare healthy recipes on the weekend and store them in the fridge. This way you will always have a healthy snack option that you can grab on the go.

For more information on healthy recipe ideas visit Naked Truth’s Pinterest page. Vancouver Yoga Teacher Training is also offering a new yoga program starting this spring. Registration for the spring session has already begun so don’t miss out on this great opportunity! Feel free to contact us for more information. 

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Staying on Track with Your New Year’s Resolution

Every New Year’s, approximately 45% of all North Americans make resolutions.  The top resolutions include losing weight, exercising more frequently, eating a balanced diet and living a healthier and fuller life.  While research shows that only 14% of individuals who make resolutions actually achieve them, it is important not to lose sight of your goals. If you are finding yourself less motivated, here are a few tips to keep you focused and on track with your resolution.

1.  Track Your Progress

If you plan on exercising more this year, write out your daily or weekly accomplishments. Create a chart and track out each minute you put towards your goal. If weight loss is your resolution, weigh yourself each morning and keep a diary to stay on track. It is important to also remember that your progress will fluctuate. Some days will be better than others. Obsessing over the occasional slip won’t help in achieving goals—we are all human! It is important to try your best and take one day at a time.

2.  Make a Calendar

If time is what keeps you from achieving your New Year’s resolution, use a calendar. Break up your day and write out all responsibilities and time commitments. Set a block of time aside specifically for your resolution. By visually seeing your daily task, you will be more inclined to follow it.

3.  Surround Yourself With Friends

Social support is critical in changing behavior and achieving goals. Friends and family help keep you on track with your resolution and provide emotional support when you slip-up. If you spend meaningful time with good friends, your mood and outlook will likely improve. Instead of obsessing on things you haven’t been doing, you are likely to feel more encouraged and motivated and will stick to your goals.

Another great option for achieving any fitness resolutions this year is to join Naked Truth’s Vancouver Yoga Teacher Training program. We are now booking appointments for our yoga program this spring. Please contact us if you have any questions.

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Vancouver Yoga Teacher Training - Sold Out!

Our January and February classes have officially sold out. Classes are now underway. We'd like to thank all of our students for signing up and we look forward to joining you on this incredible journey.

If you are interested in Vancouver yoga teacher training - contact us at Naked Truth Yoga. We are now offering FREE CONSULTATIONS where we can discuss timing, cost and materials.

 Our next start date is APRIL 2013.


Waiting to deepen your yoga practice? 
Do you want to become a certified yoga instructor? 
Do you understand the meaning of the Naked Truth of Yoga?

3 Easy Ways to Fit Yoga into your Busy Day

 We all are aware of the health benefits of yoga. We know that yoga helps alleviate stress, allows us to improve fitness and strength, as well helps maintain a balanced lifestyle. However, finding time to fit yoga into our busy lives can sometimes be challenging. Fear no more! Here are three easy ways to make time for yoga in your hectic schedule.

1.     Set Realistic Goals.

Yoga practice doesn’t need to take hours of your day. Start small. Set a time limit that is realistic such as 15 or 20 minutes each day. While it may not seem like a lot of time for exercise, every minute counts and can add up to a lot.  An alarm clock is a good trick for sticking to your time goals as well.

2. Make Time for Yourself.

We all have busy lives—errands to run, kids to pickup, work to attend too…the list runs on.  However, you would be surprised how much time we actually waste in a day as well.  A quick Facebook check sometimes turns into five Facebook checks. An hour of television can become two. As a result, learning to properly time manage is very useful tool. Start by writing a calendar of your week’s activities. Break apart each day by writing every commitment and activity.  If having an hour of down-time after work is important for you, write it down and set time aside for it. By visually seeing your calendar and sticking to it, you would be surprised how much free time you can put aside for exercise.

3.     Have Fun!

Sometimes it is the thought of exercise that keeps us from practicing yoga. However, yoga can be fun. If it is peace and quiet you are looking for, set up a relaxing space in your home—void of any distractions. Use your twenty minutes to meditate and practice calming yoga.  Another option is to join a yoga course to meet other yoga enthusiasts. Making friends often makes people more accountable for attending classes.  You can also try mixing things up. Try different variations of yoga such as yang and yin yoga, partner yoga or chakra yoga.

For information on yoga classes and training workshops, visit Vancouver Yoga Teacher Training.  We are offering a couple’s workshop this Valentine’s Day, which will incorporate paired yoga postures and Thai message teachings. Call 604-789-0449 to reserve your spot today! 

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The Benefits of Corporate Yoga Practice

For workers everywhere, our troubled economy can often add a lot of stress to our already busy lives. Fear of budget cuts and downsizing are on the minds of many. Unfortunately, this constant worry can often have negative impacts including decreased productivity as well as interfering with our physical and mental health. However, aerobic exercise such as yoga, can significantly raise mood, increase energy, as well as relax our mind and body—all excellent tools for stress relief!

Controlled breathing is one of the key focuses of yoga practice. Learning to master this physical response is critical for alleviating stress and chronic anxiety. Yoga also increases self-confidence, which has been linked to lowering stress levels. Regular yoga practice enhances muscle definition, improves strength and stamina, as well as decreases body weight.

Some corporate businesses have also made an effort to incorporate yoga into the workplace. Studies have shown that regular exercise in the workplace dramatically improves job performance. Individuals who practice yoga at work are likely to be more productive and satisfied with their job and show more respect for their senior management. Mental and physical health is also more likely to improve.

While hiring a yoga professional or paying for an employee to become qualified to teach yoga at work may seem like a big financial investment, the overall impacts will be paid back in spades. Employee sick days and turnover rates are more likely to decrease with regular yoga exercise. Yoga will also provide employees with a cost-effective way to cope with stress and workplace challenges. In addition, corporate yoga practice makes the company look more attractive to potential employees.

If you are interested in hiring a yoga professional or becoming qualified to teach yoga, visit Vancouver Yoga Teacher Training. A new yoga certification program will be starting January 5, 2013. Also visit our Pinterest page for great health ideas, recipes, yoga poses and more!

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