Read on as we discover what Alicia (who is the founder of Yoga Movement, a singer-songwriter and MMA practitioner) is really passionate about, her tips for keeping in shape, the launch of her new yoga towel brand, Bokeh, and the inner workings of a successful relationship.
So tell us about yourself. What are you passionate about and what do you do in your spare time?
I’m a fairly active person. In terms of activities and fitness I like to practice MMA, and sometimes dabble in a little bit of yoga, ha! I kinda do everything under the sun. I enjoy shopping online and playing with my dogs, I love animals. If I could I would be a full time animal rights activist!
What’s your fitness story? Were you always fit and active?
I was actually never a sporty person in school, I was always the nerdy one. I joined the Arts club and I was in the choir. I even joined the library group! My active side surfaced at around the age of 20, and that came with weight training and hitting the gym. Yoga came first then MMA second. Surfing and other activities started after I met Pete, my husband.
What’s your weekly workout routine like?
I workout 6 days a week. I mix it up with boxing, about 4 to 5 sessions a week, and yoga which I try to do once a week. It is very ironic considering I run a yoga studio but sometimes when you are at work you just want to do other things. I also mix it up with HIIT training as well but boxing makes up the bulk of my workout routine.
Do you believe in diets? What do you indulge in?
My weakness is definitely savoury foods. I have to admit I love potato chips! I don’t believe in crash diets though, everything in moderation works best for me. Everyone should be able to indulge once a week as long as you are consistently eating clean and maintaining your proteins, carbs and fats. If you manage that well you don’t have to do any crash diets.
What’s a workout tip that you can share with us?
Where I am with my training now, I fully believe in incorporating weight training into my routine. It probably has to do with how we approach fitness as we age. When I was younger I was a cardio queen, but now it is not that easy to stick with cardio alone so I incorporate weight training into my routine. I feel that it is a better balance.
Strong vs Skinny? What’s your take?
Strong! I’ve put on a bit of muscle mass since I’ve started hardcore training, boxing and weight training, but I’m perfectly happy with the way I am so I wouldn’t change a thing.
Do you have friends who look to you and say I want to be skinny? How would you advise them or answer that question?
I like to teach strength training in my yoga power classes and I’ve actually had a student ask me what she can do to not bulk up in those classes. I told her to sit on a couch and just watch some television! Just kidding, but if you do any weight-bearing workouts you will definitely put on a bit of muscle mass but that’s not always a bad thing!
What is Bokeh? Your elevator pitch please!
Bokeh yoga towels was incorporated by my partner because we wanted to add colour and life and a little bit of fun to yoga. We saw a lot of dullness in the yoga industry. We decided to inject some fun and let people know that yoga is not serious.
Featuring the Space Galaxy / Wolf Ninja Grip Towels
What’s the inspiration behind the current designs?
The inspiration would be lifestyle and fashion. We see a lot of funky modern prints and we want to incorporate that. Put more funk and fashion into yoga. Animal prints and space prints have been widely accepted so we figured it would work in a yoga accessory.
What is it like working with your husband?
As anyone can expect it is definitely not easy. Same with working with friends. The difference is you live with the person, work with the person and see the person a lot in the week but I think we’ve had good practice after 3.5 years.
In the beginning it was a real struggle trying not to step over each others boundaries. Over those years we’ve really learnt to step back and say you’re better at this than me so I’m gonna leave you be, and when things get rough we take a step back and reconvene again after we’ve both cooled down. We manage it pretty well now. The important thing is to recognise each other’s strengths and weaknesses and not argue over that.
What is one lesson you can share about your journey so far? From what you have done in business and your practice?
Strange as it sounds I think the bigger picture and the take away from this is that the grass is always greener on the other side. When I was an employee I really wanted to do things on my own but now that I’m on the other side sometimes it’s like, damn, what I would give to have a 9 to 5 job in a café. I guess you got to try to appreciate what you do and appreciate the finer things a little bit more. The key thing for me is that you got to try at least and find out for yourself whether this is what you want to do but also enjoy the journey along the way.
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WilliamHob
May 27, 2016
Wow, great article.Thanks Again. Fantastic. Landen