Health & Fitness

Stay-cation Retreat Series, Part 4

November 16, 2018

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If you feel like you need a break, yet don’t have the time to literally get away, you can conduct your own retreat in the comfort of your home or close proximity to where you live by creating your own magical get-a-way.

I created an 8-day action plan for you to get your body and mind on a rejuvenating track. The setting is key to create a certain vibe. Make small changes to your workout environment for a complete retreat experience.

STAY-CATION REVIEW

The Stay-cation Retreat Series is a progressive blog series that builds upon the previous workouts by incorporating the circuits together. There are 7 different total body routines in the series. The final challenge will combine all the Stay-cation workouts together for one monstrous circuit! What a (REpeated) TREAT!

*This is the fourth workout in the series, so be sure to check out the previous blogs and workout videos to start the series from the beginning.

SENSE OF SMELL

Your senses are incredibly tuned in to how your body feels, reacts, and thinks. A smell could trigger a positive experience and remind you of wonderful memories. Or it could have the opposite effect and trigger negative feelings.

Filling the room with a certain aroma can kick up your energy and boost your mood. Essential oils are a perfect solution to add a healing touch by selecting ones that resonate with you. Here’s some great examples and their associated properties:

Lavender: restless, calming, relaxing, stress relieving

Lemon: revitalizing, energizing, uplifting, refreshing, cleansing, purifying, hydrating, antioxidant

Peppermint: boosts energy, uplifts mood, opens airways, promotes circulation, soothes aches

Blends: mix a few oils together to heal and feel a certain way

Oils can be diffused, applied topically, or ingested. Just make sure you are getting a good quality oil from a reliable source if you ingest them.

For today’s workout, I encourage you to add an element of aroma. If you are sensitive to smells, try opening the window and letting some fresh air filter the room instead. It could have its own sense of rejuvenating power to cleans the air you breathe!

Click here to read more information on essential oils and how they can affect your workout and mood.

WORKOUT 4

PILATES CORE STRENGTH

Today’s Stay-cation workout will develop strength, length, and tone lean muscles with a Pilates core strength circuit on your Total Gym. Try changing your workout environment by adding a special aroma to your workout.

Accessories: Total Gym Footbar or squat stand (substitute), cables

Directions: Perform each Pilates exercise slowly for 10 reps
- Focus on exercise precision, alignment & form, and breath utilization throughout the movement.
- Utilize core control at all times when in motion.

REPEAT 2-3 cycles if time permits

End the workout with a series of stretches to recover your muscles.

CHALLENGE: if your workout time permits, additionally perform day 1’s workout to include extra strength into today’s routine. One set will be plenty!

NOTE: I advise printing or writing out the workout so you can easily reference them to keep the circuit moving at a continual pace.

High incline, footbar connected

WARM UP: