So I don’t know about the rest of you Residents of Wellington, but I’ve been living indoors for most of Winter. Now the Sun is starting to poke her head out in Wellington, it’s battle stations.

I’ve never been a super sporty girl. Don’t even think about getting me to play social indoor netball. It’s my idea of personal hell. Growing up, I would much rather be drawing inside. However, I’ve come to understand the power of moving my body. Yes, there is a magic pill that can help improve your mood, assist depression, help you lose weight, feel more confident and generally improve your length of life. Unfortunately, it’s exercise.

I’m giving myself a Summer challenge to form some new habits, starting with exercise and wellbeing.

Excited to go in new leggings from Ipanema Girl

First up, I’m planning on getting myself to Yoga more. I’ve been doing Yoga on and off since I was twenty. It’s always been great for me, not just for fitness reasons - although that’s the original reason I turned up. I find when I am doing Yoga EVERYTHING in life just flows better, ya know? It might be the breathing, the stretching of my body or the fact it makes me aware of my body. It's also great to compliment my 'Shut Up and Dance' classes (I need the flexibility to booty shake). I'm also stoked about some new yoga wear that I've been stalking for ages which I love from a Kiwi brand called Ipanema Girl (I will about this more talk about soon in an upcoming post, y'all).

Currently, I’m enjoying Hot Yoga Wellington, on Wakefield Street. I really do love a little bit of a sweat so the heated room suits me perfectly. The staff are also awesome and never make you feel bad or push you. Proof of their skill - my man Matt has been coming along with ALL the hip, back, and groin problems (don’t ask) and as a beginner they’ve really helped him build confidence. I love to be healthy myself, but I love even more when my nearest and dearest start to make changes in THEIR lives. WIN!

I have been loving Yin at Hot Yoga Wellington because it’s really helping me S-L-O-W down. I find that turning off can be really tricky, especially with working and blogging. So Yoga is the time that I put away my phone and I get myself in a special place with myself. It’s a time I treasure that re-charge's me for the week. Nothing beats coming out of a Sunday evening class, like I did tonight, and noticing the way my heart has slowed down and my perspective on the world has shifted.

When I get me some downward dog, I instantly start to make other positive changes in my life. This has meant that this Sunday, inspired to stock the house with some healthy veg, Matt and I went to the Wellington markets and stocked up. Then, thanks to the wonderful folk at Commonsense Organics who are celebrating 25 years (what an amazing Wellington company, right?!) we decided to treat ourselves to some special organic food in store (they kindly gifted a voucher with me to get down with the organic grub). Recently I have become interested again in buying some fruit and veg a bit healthier. If you, like me, you only can buy the odd bit here or there, I’d recommend checking out the dirty dozen and the clean 15 which are two lists setting out the produce you should buy organic and those you may as well buy conventionally.

After that delightful shopping experience, Matt and I came home, made lunch, had a wee nap and then went to Yoga at 6pm together for Yin. What with a trip to Auckland this week and lots going on with the change of season and coming up to ONE YEAR (!!!) of this blog, I’m feeling pooped. So some Yin was EXACTLY what I needed. On the way home, the clouds were casting gorgeous marshmallowy clouds over Oriental Bay.

In a final sucker-punch of piety, today Matt and I made a dinner of RAW salmon and fresh salad with asparagus for dinner. It was a real treat! Eating this healthy is a new thing for me. I find it hard in Winter when I just want all the burgers. But looking forward to some wonderful Summer months ahead in Wellington sure is motivating me to get back on the mat at Hot Yoga and make sure I make that effort on Sunday’s to load the house with fresh produce. The little bit of extra effort felt worth - especially because we got our hands on some Avocados at long last. It’s not always possible to be healthy and make the effort to exercise. I sure am no role model. But it is important to listen when you get the urge to go back to wellbeing. With the beach on our doorstep, the Sunday markets and some incredible activities to do, there’s no excuse not to make a plan for Summer. Namaste, Residents.