Welcome to your quick-fire, end of week update with a few bite-sized bullet points covering what we’re learning about and loving in three areas: fitness, nutrition and mindset. One bullet from each trainer, a little nugget of health and fitness gold.
FITNESS: Libby is introducing the world to the AGOGA method
Have you heard of FILEX? It’s the biggest fitness convention and education event in Australia, with thousands of fitness professionals attending from all corners of the country and the world! Now for the exciting part… this year, the final practical session of the event will introduce hundreds of participating trainers to our AGOGA Signature session! Yep, Lib will be instructing our very own 1-7-15-7-1 protocol alongside Men’s Health fitness expert Cam Byrnes and Bosu master trainer Greg Sellar (plus a few star trainers from the US). Could AGOGA’s Signature workout become the next ‘Tabata’? Let’s just say, our fingers are crossed!
NUTRITION: Nic is drizzled with manuka
Manuka honey is Nic’s favourite superfood to scare away the sniffles or scratchy throat. Manuka honey is produced by European bees which forage on the manuka and tea tree throughout southeastern Australia and New Zealand respectfully. This monofloral honey (ie predominantly from the nectar of one plant species) contains a special compound called methylglyoxal (what a name) which preliminary studies have indicated may have effective antibacterial properties. Go the bees!
Manuka honey is available in health food shops as well as many supermarkets nowadays; the honey is rated according to the level of methylglyoxal (5+, 10+, 20+ etc). Need a powerful health kick? Perhaps you’re game for Nic’s teaspoon combo of crushed garlic with 20+ manuka honey. You’re going to taste that one for sure ☺
MINDSET: Vee is forest bathing
Forest bathing (known as ‘Shinrinyoku’ in Japan) is a type of moving meditation where you immerse yourself in forest surroundings (or the Aussie bush!) to let your senses absorb the sights, sounds and smells of rustling trees. Shinrinyoku has been a cornerstone natural treatment within the Japanese healthcare system since 1982. A weekly dose of forest bathing is prescribed as a complimentary therapy for conditions such as high blood pressure, insomnia, and immune disorders as well as speeding up post-surgery recovery.
Running around a typical grassy park won’t cut it though. To boost our immune system and receive the benefits of this therapy, we need the unique combination of factors one only experiences in a true forest/bush environment including reduced noise, reduced air pollution and high levels of organic plant compounds released by trees. It’s claimed that Shinrinyoku benefits can last for up to 7 days (so that’s why Vee hits the trails every weekend)! Vee’s favourite locations are the Royal National Park and the Blue Mountains. Perhaps it’s time you had a dose of forest medicine?
Thanks for reading Agogians! Have a wonderful weekend, and we’ll see you in the studio.
