My sleep secret...

I have such a long standing history with sleep troubles that it is hard to know where to begin. Since I was very young I have struggled to get to  sleep and actually stay asleep, I have such horrible memories of feeling trapped at sleepovers while everyone else slept like logs, or spending lots of the nights up and about having weird hallucinogenic dreams that left me shattered  the next day. Fast forward 20 years and I still suffer and when I am stressed or worried it gets much worse, throw in a bad stomach that can keep me up and my quality of sleep dwindles dramatically, except now it was no longer just me it affected but poor ally having to sleep next to me. He is so used to it now and knows how to drag me back to bed or soothe my confused half-asleep self, but it is a tiring job!

 One of the aspects of bedtime that I found so annoying was watching Ally who can literally fall into a deep sleep within seconds ( seriously, it amazes me) and I would lie awake for really long periods of time just getting more and more annoyed. In the past I have tried a few things, meds ( not something I wanted for every day life) nice smelling sprays and candles, switching off tvs etc and even resorting to shoving crystals under my pillows! None of these were particularly effective and I had pretty much given up hope on bedtime gadgetry until a product caught my eye and I thought it was worth a stab. A bed of nails might sound a daunting prospect but this little beauty has not spent a night away from my side in those two years and I look forward to getting myself settled on it every night. Lovingly referred to as my ‘prickles’ by Ally, this is a thin comfortable mat with lots of sharp points that hit pressure areas on your body much like acupuncture would. I have used a cheap version of these mats for the past two years and got on fine but when the chance to try a more robust version through Pranamat came up I just had to compare how the experience might be.

Instantly you might think I am mad ( I didn't believe it could help until I tried it), but I can honestly say this little beauty has been such a fantastic addition to my night time routine and when this one arrived it meant my colleagues could finally try out what I had been harping on about! There is something fun about seeing everyone suddenly want to lie on the floor!!  Instantly I could tell the Pranamat version was something special, coming in a super handy travel friendly box ( and with some gorgeous colour combinations) this baby is built to last. It is much thicker and more pressure point heavy than my old one and makes for even more relaxing experience.

You can use the bed of nails in various ways ( even for performing yoga moves on!) their are lots of handy how to videos on their website but I basically use mine every single night for 20 mins or so when lying in bed and it just completely calms me, you feel a bit of heat when in contact with the pressure points but it is not actually painful. I quite often will take the mat to the floor and places my legs up the wall when I really need a de-stress, and Ally is always stealing it to seek some pressure relief on his sore muscles. 

I love that this version is made from such durable eco-friendly material, and the extra thickness means this one is far more comfortable for lying on the floor with as their is extra padding in comparison to my cheap version. This padding actually comes in the form of coconut fibers inside which I thought was super cool and is cleverly used as it doesn't hold dust like usual foam rubber.  Pranamat also do small pillow versions which i am now desperate to try in one of their other pretty colour ways and offer a fab 5 year guarantee and worldwide shipping.

I could instantly tell the difference with this version of a bed of nails, and turns out it really is superior not just from looks but to the user experience too. I am absolutely thrilled with my Pranamat and think it is well worth checking our their products if you are looking for something to help with sleeping or just a way to help relax. 

Introducing; Go Nutrition

In my last post I was filling you in on a review I am doing with AG Fitness which involves learning strength training over a few sessions. I am half way there now and absolutely loving learning weights and good form and looking forward to building my strength up and adding some heavier weights down the line. The great thing about Andy's approach is his attention to the nutrition aspect of training and the importance of a strong balanced diet to  help you reach your goals. I would say thanks to a lot of work, that my diet is pretty good but I was aware that there are times when I am not quite taking in enough protein for my needs and seeing as it is vital to muscle repair and building I thought it was time to explore options to increase my intake.

I will throw my hands up and say I have avoided protein drinks in the past as I have preferred to get protein from natural sources and  have long associated them with some really intimidating gym fiends and also because of the added chemicals and sugar and it always looks so expensive! However knowing I was planning on making strenght training a more regular addition I figured now was the time to look into a bit more and experiment. After comparing a whole load of different companies offerings and reading up on forums with people who consume products like this daily- I came across Go Nutrition who were getting rave reviews for the range and quality of products on offer that are coming in at really good prices. I was really taken with the transparency of the ingredients they are using and its something my research showed that is not the case across the board, their open and honest approach is seriously commendable and seems to be proving a big hit with customers.

"You won't find cheap fillers in our products, you won't find us faking the protein levels by adding cheap amino acids and you won't find us hiding the exact ingredients of our protein blends, greens powders or amino acid formulas behind so-called proprietary blends."

To get me started I have tried out the Maple syrup and pancake Whey Protein 80, the Amino Go and the Creatine Monohydrate.

Now I am not in a position to review the full effects of taking supplements like these as they are all so new to me so I can't compare or even fully comprehend what benefits they are doing to my muscles but I can report that after my sessions and any other gym work I have done on my own that It has definitely helped with any aches or pains that I have had post gym in the past. For comparison Ally is also attending these sessions and due to his protein levels being super low he has still been feeling the effects of lifting weights wayyy after he should be where as I haven't found that all. Week one, when I hadn't used these, I was definitely in a lot more pain! You can read a lot more about the products and the full breakdown of benefits on the site but in terms of the whole process I have to commend Go Nutrition greatly. As a total newbie to the area I was really impressed with the level of customer service they offer, the answered my mountain of questions and helped guide me in what products might be of use and explaining why. I found the website fantastic to navigate- I love that you can shop by pre/post workout timing, by goal or by brand. They have the full nutritional breakdowns on offer alongside some really useful guides and info on how best to use products and even their own magazine style pages called The Pulse- and they also happen to have some damn good deals on the go too!

 I have already put in for my next bundle ( I want all the flavours!) thanks to an offer that popped in my inbox. They have same day dispatch, cheap delivery ( free over £50) price matching, 30 day guarantees, live chat service and a referral scheme which means you get free protein with your first order and excellent information on how to use it and their products- I honestly can't fault them!

If you are starting out strength training or looking to start supplementing your diet like this, I highly recommend finding your feet with Go Nutrition- and feel free to use my referral code to get you started with your first order ( disclaimer- I get a treat too!) Even my PT has jumped on board to try it out!

Just pop BZIPTN at the check out to use it and enjoy the free protein.

Glasgow Reviewed; Infinity Yoga

From the second I walked into the Infinity Yoga studio in Glasgow, I knew I was somewhere special. Greeted by warmth both in temperature and atmosphere, I was totally put at ease on my first visit by the owner Collette. I have done a few yoga and pilates classes in the past but never tried doing any of them 'hot' and certainly didn't know my baby dragon from my swan or my ashtanga from my bikram. A week on and thanks to three amazing, detailed sessions and I feel I have learnt not only a lot  about different styles of yoga but about myself and what my body is capable of.

With over 10 years of yoga experience under her belt, Colette is just a complete breath of fresh air. She has such an electric presence and energy about her that you can't help but smile when around her. On the flip side she is also one of the most soothing people I have ever met but don't let that powerhouse of enthusiasm fool you-she will absolutely work you hard in that room when the class calls for it. She absolutely radiates yoga and balance with a beautifully toned physique that I have literally never seen before from someone in the flesh and her ability to both relax you and energize you is magical. Nestled within an old railway arch on Osborne street in the Merchant city, I was welcomed right into the Infinity studio and was settled on a mat in the warm room before I knew it. Armed with a towel and bottle of water I really did not know quite what to expect...

The first class I tried was hot pilates, which was something I didn't even know could be done in hot conditions! I have preferred Pilates over Yoga in past experiences but the added hot element made this class one hell of a challenge to my not so flexible self. Colette was a master at guiding you through the positions with very minimal fuss, making adjustments to people where needed while keeping the class on track without disruption all while continuing to push people to achieve what they are capable of.  I was in positions I didn't think possible and working muscles I don't even think my body knew existed!The heat wasn't overwhelming to start with at all but as we worked through positions you really felt the heat- I cannot remember the last time I put my body through an intense workout like this and although it felt tough at the time. I felt AMAZING for it afterwards and I know going back I would only build on what i had learnt in one session. I have done pilates in a quite a few different places in the past but absolutely none were anywhere near as good as this, the level of care Colette takes with each member of the class is superb and makes a total difference to what you then achieve. The class was attended by a variety of people of all ages, shapes and sizes and  I completely recommend this class to anyone looking to push themselves and achieve new goals, it is a fantastic challenge that brings a whole range of benefits. 

The following night with a spring in my step, I was back at the studio for my next class. Yin Yoga was something I had never even heard of before and I was really intrigued to learn more after reading up on it on the Infinity site. Described as a 'quiet practice originating in the east via the disciplines of kung-fu' the class is said to improve concentration and improve flexibility. I was looking forward to this one a lot as I knew that without a doubt I need to learn to relax and unwind more and allow myself more quite stillness in my life. Typical of so many people nowadays I struggle to switch off, if I am not constantly checking my phone or on the computer, my brain is always whirring and there is no such thing as sitting down and taking it easy. Thanks to this frantic lifestyle my sleep is badly affected and I sleep very little so I had high hopes that a class of Yin Yoga might introduce me to a new approach to relaxation. A smaller class than the night before due to needing more space for positions, I walked into a very calm studio. Low lighting and soft candle light with soothing music lilting in the background, I lay on my mat whilst others filtered in, just enjoying the warmth and trying to bring my focus to the class and forget the outside world. The class was again ranging in abilites and ages ( there was even an adorable 6 year old next to me giving it her all!) and Collette gave us an fantastic introduction to Yin Yoga and the background to the practice which was really fascinating and helped the class really connect with what we were about to do. A slow style of  yoga  with poses that are held for longer periods of time  to apply moderate stress to the connective tissues, it is designed to help the flow  of energy through the meridian pathways  of the body which according to Chinese Medicine can help organ health, immunity and emotional well being. This class was a totally different pace from pilates and I adored it. The moves were achievable and you were once again expertly guided through them by Colette who gave fantastic insight to why each position was beneficial whilst also keeping the tone of the class soft, relaxed and very balanced in feeling. I didn't even really notice 90 minutes fly by and for once I didn't spend the whole time thinking of shopping lists and emails but instead had my focus on myself and class. This presence that she manages to bring out in you is testament to her years of training and why these classes are so popular. I have never met someone with such a breadth of knowledge and passion for yoga and what it offers so it was really fascinating to see her demonstrate these different styles. Yin Yoga is a seriously perfect class for anyone looking to relax while still working their body, I felt really at peace after it was over and for once- slept like a baby!

So my last and final class of the week was Hot Yoga ( in this case a blend of Astanga and Bikram) I was prepared for the heat thanks to the previous pilates class and was determined to do a little better in this one. A super busy class with men and women of all ages and abilities our teacher this time was Jamie who instead of demonstrating the positions, talked us through moves clearly and concisely while offering alternatives for the more advanced and also for us newbies. I thought it would be difficult to keep up but it was all so well described that it was fairly straight forward ( the execution not quite so much!) but I knew when to not push too hard and allow the more experienced in the class to hold their poses for what seems like super human lengths of time! The flexibility and construction of the bodies of some of the class just make you realise what these classes can do for you, toned and strong is definitely achievable here! We moved through many positions both standing and on the floor in the 90 minutes and it was a real workout that again had you sweating in the heat and working every muscle you have. I really enjoyed the class and felt really worked out by the end but also very calm and controlled also.

As Colette mentioned in Yin Yoga it is all about finding the right practice for you and trying each of these has been a real eye opener. Infinity Yoga really offer something for everyone and deliver each class with an incredible knowledge, professionalism, patience and positivity that I have never experienced in a studio before. The strong sense of community here is apparent from the moment you walk through the door, it is obvious that you get much more than a standard workout by being a part of it. I have adored my week of firsts with Colette and the team and can't urge you enough to give one of the classes a go, push yourself and learn something new- who knows where it will take you!

Prices start from £7 for off peak drop ins and they even offer student discounts. There is an amazing deal on right now with the first three classes only costing £15 for beginners which is the perfect way to give the different styles a go! You can contact the Studio on 0141 552 6378 and follow them on twitter and facebook.