Eff THis...

Chicago at heart. I smile at everyone, wear dresses in the winter, and live for food. I like dream catchers, antiques, topography, postcards and I collect keys. I’m always in the mood for breakfast, a manicure, or a show.

[benvanloon-deactivated20180802]

Old-school hot dog joint, old-school hearse. #chicago #chigram #gene&judes #hotdog #viennabeef #mountaindew #hearse #chicagostyle

[effiedoesyoga]

[doughchicago-blog]

[effiedoesyoga]

I made these :)

[effiedoesyoga]

Can you use yoga to lose fat? Duh!  Here are a few poses that help tone your arms, belly, and low back:

1. High Plank: tones your arms, if you hold it for 20 seconds or more while breathing, it'll tones your belly, arms, obliques, quads, calves... everything really.

Make it harder: lift one arm at a time, triceps near your ears just like in #tadasana, keep your weight equal in your hand and both feet.

Make it easier: come down on your knees, keep your tail bone tucked!

2. Knee- to-nose: Start in downdog, then actually bring your knee to your nose, it'll feel life your more in a plank, then kick it back out.

Make it harder: hold for 20 seconds, arch you back like in #catpose or bring your knee to your opposite elbow

Make it easier: Start in a table top, then bring your knee to your nose.   Kick your leg behind you each time.  Squeeze your glutes on your grounded leg.

3. Half Moon: Gets rid of the back fat, or muffin top. Tones your obliques big time, as well as your legs. Distribute your weight evenly on you standing foot, keep your leg inline with your hip.

Make it harder: float your bottom hand off the ground for 10-20 seconds AND breathe

Make it easier: use a block for your bottom hand. Keep you leg high though ;)

And yes! By linking all these poses together, they do work.  "Yoga" translated directly is linking body, breath, mind, and heart together- in asanas.  It's a lifestyle choice, just as any workout regimen.  If you do just these poses everyday, sure you'll see a difference however you'll  really notice the most change in your body if you practice 3 times a week.  Yoga tones muscle, increases flexibility and calms your mind.

After the first time of doing hot yoga you'll start to lose water weight, in 3 or 4 classes you'll begin to notice that your body is sore in places you never knew existed, then after a month or so you'll realize how much more flexible you are and look better naked :) 

Try these poses and tell me what you think.  Got other poses I should try? Holler!! Write me, I'm always looking for more #fatburing tricks.

[effiedoesyoga]

#yogawheniwant

#gMotivate and I are hosting another #motivateyourday Yoga Challenge! I always have so much fun doing them, tag @gcaifano & I along with #yogawheniwant to be featured :) #chicagoyoga #sweatitout #flexy #strongisthenewsexy #lookbetternaked #yoga #asana #workoutwheniwant #shredded ;)

[effiedoesyoga]

[effiedoesyoga]

I’m impetuous but patient, I like soups & sweaters & dresses in winter but summer holds a special place in my heart. #balance #yogawheniwant #gMotivate #chicagoskyline #chicagoyoga #easypose #sukhasana #suryamudra #prithvi #agni #akaashmudra #ether photocred: @bigeyedfish77 #thistimelastmonth (at Lincoln Park Conservatory)

[blogthenewblack]

I’m a huge fan of Neutrogena Naturals’ Purifying Facial Cleanser, in fact, I use it every night to wash my face. I’ve even gotten JPC hooked on it and keep an extra bottle in the shower. I actually can’t believe I haven’t shared how much I love it with you yet!

When Neutrogena reached out...

[effiedoesyoga]

I took the pledge!! I'm going to start taking 5 minute showers instead of 7. #done #nomorebaths

[effiedoesyoga]

October is what you want it to be. You can mope & lament in the imminent arrival of winter or you can keep on living la dolce vita & embracing your city. #gMotivate (at Bloomingdale Trail : Washtenaw)

[effiedoesyoga]

"Your distress about life might mean you have been living for the wrong reason." -Tom O'Connor Find your reason ;) Here's mine all in one photo: yoga. street art. craft beer. patience. kindness. balance. mad love for my city. ✶✶✶✶ (at Northdown Café and Taproom)

[effiedoesyoga]

Chicago is one of the greatest cities in the world for a number of reasons, but this week it is the greatest city in the world for one reason & one reason only. This week Chicago outshines the best of the best, because in THREE DAYS our amazing city provides 40,000+ people, with the opportunity to partake in quite possibly one of the most transcendent events a human being can ever hope to experience: The Bank of America Chicago Marathon! @edaigler10 I couldn't have said it more beautifully if I tired! Weezy has tips, dos & donts on #gMotivate.com go check out what our #marathonexpert has to say ;) #bankofamerica #chicagomarathon #runchi #secondcity #chimarathon #runforchicago #runforboston #dreambig #makeithappen #motivateyourday #hoursoftraining #hardwork #perseverance #26point2 #marathontraining #runyourheartout #sweatforapurpose (at Grant Park)

[effiedoesyoga]

Snack time: beets & gnocchi with pesto & blue cheese. #thisishowyoustayaverage #veggieyourday #gmotivate #iloveveggies #vegetarian #glutenfree #beetgnocchi

[effiedoesyoga]

It’s true, a month from now- you’ll wish you has started today!!  So just do it, make the commitment, stick to your goals and start today.

A month from today, you’ll look at your abs or the way you fit in your jeans and thank yourself for cutting out fried food or adding more vegetables to your diet.  Even if you do a 30 minute work out- it’s only 3% of your day.  Add a pose into your practice and follow along with me on instagram @efffervescent for progress pictures.

Every Sunday in October I’m going to post a photo from gMotivate’s Motivate Your Day #30dayyogachallenge next to a picture of me doing the same pose, that day.  Pictures are the best way to see how all your hard work has payed off. Get motivated, I adore progress pics!!!  I’d love to see yours as well- tag me and #gMotivate so we can see them.

Remember- October is what you make of it… it’s the first of the colder months and it can starts feeling cumbersome to work out- don’t let the weather kill your vibe!  Keep up the hard work and seriously… Start now!

-effie

[effiedoesyoga]

I know I should pick these up out of the rain but I needed a picture first. #birthdaysurprises #ups #onmyporch #oct3 #libra

[effiedoesyoga]

Down to cycle, even with two sets of sheets tapped my bag. #mixte #bikechicago #ilovetarget #didntspendahundreddollars #badass #hardcore #cycledaily #dontneedacar (at Target)

[effiedoesyoga]

My favorite pose right now is #dandayamanajanushirasana ... standing forehead to knee pose. I can't quite straighten my standing leg, or hold my forehead to my knee- but this time next month, I'll be able to! #dedication #yogawheniwant #gmotivate #notthateasy #motivateyourday #moty #brooksgolden #sevenist #7ist #chicagostreetart #artinpublicplaces #chicagoyoga #tiedye

[effiedoesyoga]

Give me that blanket! We want to do yoga @beckymeis #yogawheniwant #itsmeorthedog #mexianblanket #campsite #honeymooncorner #tugofwar (at Starved Rock State Park)