Hello friends and fiends

I still got it.

♥ Bambi

A lil' update

♥ Bambi

Deja vu moment (back bending again)

Hey all! I have not been blogging at all since experiencing a pinched nerve (which has disappeared completely, and which I said I was going to make an entry on, but never did, ha!).

So again, this is familiar territory. Yoga continues to be a mainstay in my workouts. Contortion, on the other hand, has not been getting my focus that much this year.

I would not say I am officially back at it. But I am happy with the base I am starting with in regards to flexibility.

♥ Bambi

Being flexible is a perversion

... according to this person:

I woke up to this comment and laughed. But I shouldn't have! I just want to pass it on to all you yoga-enthusiasts out there that you are all, in fact, perverts. Especially you bikram-lovers out there. A hot room full of sweaty people doing absurd stretches and stuff to their bodies for an hour? Sounds like an orgy of perviness.

I have been enlightened by my true nature this morning, and hope you all are too.

♥ Bambi

Midnight handstand practice and debauchery.

So, if it is extremely late and you find yourself unable to sleep (like me)...

1. Attempt handstand.
2. Balance... hold.
3. Wait for blood to rush down to head.
4. If done correctly, will pass out.

* Fine print: I am not a physician, therefore I do not condone this as a sane sleeping method whatsoever.

He he >.<

♥ Bambi

Guess who this was on Xmas

many, many, many moons ago!

The community and camaraderie on here have been excellent to me, so I wish every one a splendid holiday (or a splendid time-off if you do not celebrate it) and a great start to the new year! Hope most of your goals of 2012 have been met, and if not... you still have time. Warm-up, stretch, and get ready for 2013 ^_^

♥ Bambi

Front-Bend... Success!

After on-and-off contortion practices over and over this year, another long-awaited milestone.

♥ Bambi

The Witch from the Pink Depths of Hell...

... wishes all you ghouls and monstrosities a

Happy Halloweenie!

May you reap pounds upon pounds of candy corn.

♥ Bambi

Leg stretching in the doorway ^_^

Can be used in barricade entry or exit too, I have learned.

♥ Bambi

Some fundamentals on stretching.

Once in a while I get asked what are appropriate stretching techniques someone should do for so-and-so reason or how stretching, in general, should be done. Since beneficial stretches vary from person to person, there is no fundamental one-guide-fits-all answer or routine. We all have our own strengths, our own weaknesses, and our own priorities on what needs improvement.

There are, however, general rules of thumb on stretching that every one can understand and potentially use.

- Do dynamic stretching or warm-up stretching first. People familiar with dynamic stretching know that these stretches stay within a person's normal range-of-motion. They do not go beyond what their body and muscles are accustomed to. So dynamic stretches are good AND recommended for warming-up before a workout or more vigorous stretching, but they have little to no effect on increasing flexibility or range-of-motion. For that reason, they should be held for short periods, 15-30 seconds, and generally should start at the head, working downward toward the legs.

- Follow up with static stretching, especially if you do aspire to increase your flexibility and range-of-motion. Even if you are satisfied with your range-of-motion, you can still benefit from specific static stretches that may help make certain exercises easier (i.e. stretching hip flexors for squats). They stretch muscles beyond what the body is accustomed to, which gives way for improved flexibility and also relief for muscle soreness after a workout. They are held for longer periods, 30 seconds - 5 minutes, depending on what is being stretched and why. Stretches held for 2+ minutes are mostly exceptional cases (i.e. advanced yoga, contortionism). You typically hold for shorter periods and build up tolerance for longer periods as your flexibility improves.

- Larger muscle groups can usually be held longer than smaller muscle groups. Calves require less stretching than back muscles, for example.

- Always know exactly what you are stretching and why you are doing it.

So, to summarize:

Dynamic stretching
- Warms-up the body and muscles before a workout.
- Maintains their range-of-motion.
- Does not increase flexibility nor range-of-motion.
- Holds for 15-30 seconds.

Static stretching
- Can be done before or after a workout, but after dynamic stretching.
- Increases flexibility and range-of-motion.
- Relieves muscle soreness.
- Holds for 30 seconds - 2 minutes, depending on muscle group.

♥ Bambi

Current Hourglass Figure

Want a firmer stomach...

Yet do not want the curves to slim down.

Such poignant moments in life >.<

♥ Bambi

My war with middle splits...

... continues.

I have not been putting in as much time as I had wanted in the (first two months of) Summer... and as the rule of thumb goes, you get what you put in. So my progress has not been too noteworthy, BUT it is not stagnant, and I am moving along at a tortoise pace.

A few people have mentioned that gender and body shape potentially do play a factor in how well particular stretches can be learned. Side splits came easily for me. Middle splits, on the other hand, continue to test me and my hips. My thighs are not too happy either -.-!

But to hell with it all. I am getting closer.

♥ Bambi

Something different - Me in art form ^_^

A little change of pace from fitness-oriented blogging.

Portraits of:

♥ Bambi

Bambi in Bikinis... *An Hourglass Update*

Since my last update, I have gotten more mass in some desired areas (me gusta)... and some extra cushion in not so desirable places (no me gusta). Trying to gain the RIGHT kind of mass has never been a strong suit for me. I find myself either not eating enough carbs, or just having a fail diet whilst I stuff my face with chocolate truffles.

THIS time around, I have gotten more of a handle on what goes in my mouth and where mass goes on my body. I would say I am 90% happy with how I look right now. Hourglass ratio is more prominent, more curvy.

Still needs some slimming around the edges, specifically thighs and abdominals.. But overall, I am prepared for Summer: new wardrobe pieces, a sunnier disposition... and if you followed my blog from last Summer, you would remember that I made the most progress in contortion during those months of beautiful weather and ample free time. So with Summer 2012 around the corner, I am excited :)!

♥ Bambi

This Taurus is officially one year older.

Here's to a stellar birthday weekend.

♥ Bambi

This recent cold weather...

... has been doing a number on me.

I feel lethargic.

And instead of working out, I would rather just squeeze into confined tight spaces and curl up.

(But I managed to squeeze in time to be able to take a picture like this! lol)

The whole past week was unremarkable.

No focus, no drive whatsoever.

My temperament is ridiculously dependent on the weather...

♥ Bambi

No big guns here... but that doesn't mean that I'm not armed! ;)

These little sharpshooters are getting a bit more defined. I certainly feel stronger in my core and upper body thanks to some strength-training in the past month. I am steathily making my way to femme fatale status.

♥ Bambi

Egyptian Belly-Dancing

Video of me belly-dancing from before.

Classes will start again next year.

But already missing my lessons!

♥ Bambi

Feeling dark and wonderful.

My current mood in the past week:

I need to channel my inner Morticia into some killer workouts.

Already have the attitude and matching wardrobe.

Now I just need to find some rosebuds to snip.

♥ Bambi

Alright, who's up for some arm wrestling?!

With guns like these...

... I will surely strike fear into your heart.

♥ Bambi

Stretchy update.

Contortion progress has been slow, so I have not been blogging too much about it. Well, I hit another milestone this week. Can finally do a standing scorpion at ease! (Starting with both feet on the floor, and slowly lifting one leg up from behind till my foot is level with my head.)

I am still managing an hour-a-day of stretching. It is slower pace than my workouts earlier in the year, but I am still getting results. I am fine with that.

♥ Bambi

Kitty does what Kitty wants!

And, unfortunately, what Kitty wants is not always a good thing. I fell off the ball several times last week. I pawed and clawed to stay on, but alas... I did not land on my feet, but instead simply rolled over and slept off the sweet, yummy goodness. And it was a whole mess of sweet, yummy goodness too! I nom-nom-nomed this, I nom-nom-nomed that, I nom-nom-nomed here, I nom-nom-nomed there. I nom-nom-nomed almost every where to my Kitty heart's desire!

The feline culprit: 

And when it came to playtime... oh, it was all play all right! I ran, I stretched, I contorted, I snickered my whiskers...

My mind was not 100% into it. The change in weather also made me want to just leisurely lay around all day!

(I want this bed cushion, by the way. Will be pawing at Amazon / eBay for it.) 

Focus, can I pleaz has it?! 

Bad Kitty does not want to be bad ALL the time! (Only just most of it...)

♥ Bambi

It is Not all blood and fangs with me on Halloween.

I can be benign too. My salute to all you fine ladies and gentlemen out there:

It suits me well, I think.

...

...

...

Oh, who am I kidding! THIS is the real me:

Have a bloody All Hallow's Eve, everyone!

♥ Bambi

Soon, the ghosties will be roaming the streets.

I cannot wait.

Some food for thought. The people of the Masai customarily drink blood. A study on their diet finds that a pint of blood yields about 400 calories. Shall be interesting to see how you vampies fit that into your macros this weekend ;].

Happy treating, ghoulies. Watch out for rocks!

♥ Bambi

Side splits? No problem.

Middle splits? A bitch.

Had a terrific belly-dancing lesson this week, however. I will be updating more on that soon.

♥ Bambi