5 amazing benefits of Pilates & Yoga

Image courtesy of ponsuwan at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Yoga Pilates and yoga are two of the greatest workouts for not only girls, but guys too. There are amazing health benefits that stem from doing these kind of work outs, so there are plenty of reasons to take it up – aside from the fact you’ll get a great body! If you want to get started but don’t have any of the equipment, you can get everything you need from a sporting and health retailer like Optomo Australia . Keep reading to find out how your body will benefit from undertaking Pilates and/or yoga as your new favourite workout!

1. Cardiovascular, Digestive & Nervous Systems

It’s been discovered that regular yoga and Pilates sessions help to normalise blood pressure and improve cardiovascular fitness and circulation. Yoga gives the heart a work out equivalent to going for a brisk walk. Due to the normalised blood pressure and circulation, your digestive system also benefits – it can help to speed up a system that is usually slow. All of these things work to benefit your nervous system – the improved blood flow helps to calm your body and soothe your nervous system. 

2. Body Strength

Most people find that their bodies strengthen a substantial amount after commencing regular yoga and Pilates classes. On average, after doing yoga for 6 weeks (three times a week) most people will then be able to do roughly 6 more push ups and 14 more curl ups. Those engaging in Pilates have found similar results: Pilates is great for strengthening core, abdominal muscles. Pilates is known to be 310% more effective for being able to strengthen and tighten the more difficult obliques. The best thing about these two workouts is that they add strength without adding bulk to your body – which is why dancers love to do them! 

3. Flexibility

Yoga and Pilates are great for gaining flexibility due to the structured postures involved. The gentle stretching is great for releasing muscle tension and stiffness too. Regular yoga participants are able to see their flexibility boost by approximately 24%. Pilates improves flexibility as well, particularly in areas such as hamstrings, hip and back. As well as flexibility, yoga and Pilates also work to fix your posture and give your body a taller, leaner look. 

4. Musculoskeletal

As well as general strength and flexibility, Pilates and yoga have great musculoskeletal benefits. The poses done in both exercises move your joints through their complete range of motion, which aids in mobility and eases the pressure on joints. Reduced back pain is another noticeable benefit of doing Pilates and yoga. It also helps to prevent osteoporosis, and provides relief for those already diagnosed. 

5. Mental Benefits

As Pilates and yoga requires so much focus and control , most people find that they are a lot less stressed after commencing regular classes. As they are less stressed, they find that sleeping is a lot easier and their mood is improved. Yoga and Pilates are also great for people with ailments such as cancer, depression or chronic pain, as they find they become much less fatigued. 

Pilates and Yoga have so many benefits – so start classes today! You’ll be a regular at your local classes in no time!

Do you do either?

*This is a sponsored post

Cosme-De.com - Have you heard of them?

Have you ever come across a site called Cosme-de.com? No? Well me neither until very recently and they have around for over 10 years!.  Cosme-de is a leading online shopping store which sells make-up, skincare, bodycare, hair care, fragrance, travel products, a male range and much more.  Many of the brands available are what we would consider to be high end brands as well as high-street brands and they include:

• Anna Sui
• Avène
• Benefit
• Bioderma
• Bobbi Brown
• Caudalie
• Chanel
• Christain Doir
• Clinique
• Dermalogica
• Giorgio Armani
• Givenchy
• Glamglow
• Kiehls
• NYX

To name just a few and they are priced at really amazing prices, plus they offer free worldwide shopping... now before you rush off to start spending, let me share with you some of their products which I was very kindly sent!

Anna Sui Rouge Jar** - This is simply stunning to look at. I love everything about the design, the packaging, it is like nothing I have ever seen.  Inside the jar is a deeply hydrating and moisturizing lip gloss with vinyl-like luster for unbelievably shiny and glossy lips. This is priced at £11 whereas you would usually pay around £20.

Benefit Dandelion**- This is a blusher from Benefit which is described as being a "finely spun with delicate mauves and pinks, this exquisite brightening face powder leave a petal like finish".  This is priced at £24 which is around the same price as you would find in the UK.

NARS Sin**- This is a blush from NARS which is absolutely stunning.  Described as being a Berry with Gold Shimmer blush, it is one of those winter time products I need to go with my darker lipsticks.  Priced at £19 it is slightly cheaper than here in the UK.

The final item in my package is a Japanese product made by Kose which contains two Called AQMW**, one is a brightening mask and the other a balancing mask and they are which I have researched a little bit about online and I am looking forward to trying both products.  As yet I have no price for these.

Now as you can see, I am one very lucky girl right now because these products are simply amazing and the prices are equally good!  All of the products are 100% genuine and only branded items are stocked, there are no imitations.

One part of the site I am always looks at is the Best Value section and it is here you can find some real bargains! There are so many things that I have got my eye on such as the Marc Jacobs Mini Fragrance set which you can see HERE, I haven't seen it anywhere and just how cute are those bottles? Plus everyone will know I have a DKNY obsession and just HERE they have everything I need on my wishlist and all the items are just so reasonably priced. I also have my eye on a Clinique Buttershine lipstick in Pink Goddess shade.  Infact there is just so much I have got my eye on right now.

Now I have a treat for you all by way of a discount when you shop with Cosme-de and here it is:

*You need to spend £35 or more for the discount

Bee Good launches Nationwide!

I am not going to lie, I love this range, it is fabulous and I am also a fan of bee's in general, they are such useful and important little creatures. When I heard that Bee Good was to launch in Waitrose on August 29th - that is this Friday, tomorrow, I whooped with joy!

For those of you who have't heard of them, Bee Good was born back in 2008 by husband and wife team, Simon and Caroline. As an experienced beekeeper for over 10 years, Simon keeps a number of hives in old orchards surrounding his home in rural Hampshire. As a champion of British bee-keeping, Simon works closely with the British Beekeeper’s Association, teaches beekeeping and is himself studying to become a “Master Beekeeper”.

Bee Good is an independent British skincare company based in rural Hampshire, who have harnessed the centuries-old healing powers of British honey, propolis and beeswax in an innovative skincare range, designed to make a real difference without the use of 

• parabens, 
• synthetic colour, 
• mineral oil, 
• silicone or 
• SLS/SLES. 

Each and every one of their products are described as being packed with hard-working intensively soothing ingredients, there is nothing better to care for your lips than this nourishing and protective treatment delivered from the flower, to the bee, to you. Bee Good are proud to be the only British premium skincare brand to exclusively use British bee ingredients in all their products. 

Here is a little more information about the range:

Our Inspiration
Inspired by an expert beekeeper with over a decades experience who works closely with the British Beekeeper’s Association and British Bee Farmers Association, Bee Good was created to harness the healing powers of British bee ingredients and British botanicals to support the UK countryside and farming industry. Made lovingly in the UK, you can enjoy a little bit of luxury and precious ‘me time’ every day, at an affordable price, whilst supporting our British bees and beekeepers.

Show Me The Honey
We donate a share of all profits to help support British beekeeping projects. The ‘Show Me The Honey’ campaign is launching on 29th April and will promote and support the mission of raising awareness of British honey, support the British bee population and beekeepers, and ultimately make it easier for people to buy local honey. www.showmethehoney.org

Help Our Bees
Inside each of our online orders you will find a note from us, printed on special paper…tear it up and plant it in your garden and with a little love and patience wild flowers will soon grow to become a source of nectar for bees.

I have introduced a few of the Bee Good Products on my blog which you can see below

• Honey and Wild Mint 3-in-1 Cleansing Water - HERE
• Vanilla and Honey Lip Balm - HERE

Want to know more? 

Discover more at www.beegood.co.uk

Have you tried the Bee Good Range yet?

August Glossybox

I am a little late opening this months Glossybox as I have been away on holiday, so as soon as I was able to go and collect it from my local sorting office, I suddenly remembered that this was meant to be somewhat of a special box was Glossybox are celebrating their 3rd Birthday and if like me you are a subscriber then there have been no end of hints and spoilers as to what the contents might be.  So this is my August Glossybox.

So firstly, the box is different to the others, it looks more squared than the others if that makes sense and inside there is this lovely little card to tell you all about the contents and a little 'Thank You' from Charles Van Abercorn(check name) the Founder and Global CEO. Then there is the nice pink wrapping paper and black ribbon before finally, the contents.

Kryolan for Glossybox- This is a highlighter in shade Cashmere and it is said to be a versatile, lightweight cream with a gloss finish and can be used on cheekbones, lips plus other parts of the skin.  This is a full size item with an RRP £12.95

Figs and Rouge Handcream - A mini handcream in Rose Berry which is enriched with shea butter, natural antioxidents and algae extract.  Said to nourish and soften the hands and leave them with a pampered feeling.  A full size version costs £6.95 for 80ml, this one is 20ml which means it is worth around £1.75.

Yves Rocher Nail Polish - I got shade 14 which is Rose and it is more like a dusky pink, very pretty.  As a mini nail polish it has a little brush and I always find them quite difficult to use.  This is a full sized bottle at 3ml and has an RRP £3.60

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer - Said to have been originally created for Audrey Hepburn, this pre-shampoo treatment delivers unrivalled elasticity, manageability, bounce and shine without weighing the hair down or coating it.  I have another tube of this which I am yet to try, so hopefully it is worth the hype.  A full sized version of 250ml costs £38, this one is 40ml and has a value of around £6.35

Comfort Zone Essentials Cleansing Milk - A revitalising, gentle milk cream containing anti-oxidents and hydrating active ingredients to help remove any make-up and pollution residues for radiant, refreshed and softer skin.  To be used on dry skin in a morning and evening.  A full 250ml version has an RRP £20, this one oddly is 200ml and is therefore has a value of around £16. 

The final item is a perfume sample from Lalique and it is called L'Amour.  I have never heard of Lalique but the scent is described as being a tribute to timeless romance. An Imperial Japanese prince once invited René Lalique to create four stained glass windows for his Tokyo palace, its dominant motif a majestic female figure in the form of an angel. From her outstretched hands garlands of flowers stream, creating a halo of radiant blossoms akin to the aura of a perfume."Soft and sensual with delicate top notes of rosebuds laces with fresh bergamot, white floral heart notes and a musk base note" well one spritz and it is definitely more floral than musky to me!  I quite like it and to purchase it, you would be expected to pay just £94 for 100ml (woah).

So there you have my August Box and as a third birthday box, I think it lacks something exciting and amazing but it is alright and I will use all the contents.  Altogether it has a value of around £40!

What do you think to this months box?  Are there any products you like the look of?