So after weeks and weeks of dedicated boxing and yoga training we have now just got back from our sun drenched holiday in the beautiful Rhodes, where we were able to show off our slightly more toned bikini bods and felt – well - rather more confident it has to be said!

Korin Says

I am transformed!

I am a transformed woman, totally devoted and dedicated to my new found love of Yoga! As you know already I am very much a Pilates devotee, so for me, yoga was a natural transition. Over the years I have tried just about every exercise form going, in order to achieve the results I want for my body. And although I love the energising feeling of a building up a good sweat and getting my heart rate pulsing, I can definitely say that the results that have been the most evident to me have been (up until now) Pilates and now I have seen the powers of yoga.

It´s No Cop Out!

If you are under any illusion that choosing this form of work out is a way of ‘coping out’ (you can tell I have endured many patronising comments, such as ‘yoga is pretty easy though isn’t it’ or ´yoga is for girls’) let me just set the record straight and say that actually, yoga is tough and certainly ain’t for the faint hearted!

It will make you sweat, it will increase your heart rate, you will find yourself in double jointed positions you never dreamed possible and it does kick ass – so there! Of course there are more gentle forms of yoga that are much more steered towards relaxation and are more suitable to for beginners and the less flexible!

Vinyasa Flow and Ashtanga

As I mentioned previously the classes that I have been attending are Vinyasa Flow and Ashtanga classes which are both forms of ‘power yoga.’ An incredible amount of strength and flexibility is required to perform these forms of yoga well, which is where my Pilates training helped massively. I also think for a beginner I had an advanced understanding of what was required for these techniques because of what I have already learned from Pilates, so it goes without saying that yoga and Pilates definitely complement each other.

Ashtanga from what I have learned so far follows a series of movements that are performed one after the other which build on strength and flexibility. Vinyasa Flow, although quite similar is much more ‘free’ in terms of it doesn’t follow a structured series of movements. It does have some wildly fun acrobatic type poses though which resemble something out of Cirque du Soleil. I was quite impressed at my efforts if I do say so myself!

So the Results?

So the results of having trained 2 -3 times a week – pretty damned good I would say! I have spent 5 days a week at the gym sweating my butt off and bored myself to death on a treadmill not to notice the same amount of tone (especially in my legs) as I have done with my yoga training. Although I have not lost weight, (I haven’t cut down on my food although I do find that yoga encourages me to eat healthier) my friends have commented on how good I am looking and constantly ask if I have lost weight. They don’t believe me when I tell them I haven’t! And as any girl knows ‘have you lost weight’ is one of the best compliments going!

Try It Out at "triyoga"

I have been training at "triyoga" in London. " triyoga" has three studios, one in Primrose Hill, one in Soho and one in Covent Garden. Visit www.triyoga.co.uk. They offer a wide variety of classes including Pilates too and also cater for pregnant ladies and kids alike.

I would say that one of the most essential things when looking for a Pilates and yoga class in your area is to make sure you get a good teacher. If you go to a specialised studio such as" triyoga" you definitely know that you are getting the cream of the crop! Plus there is the advantage of having a variety of teachers who all have their unique way of teaching and all have something special to give which you probably wouldn’t find in a gym.

Try it yourself and feel and see the benefits too!

Sasha Says

Boxing – It´s Full On!

Being a physical kinda gal, I have to say taking up boxing was probably the best sport for me! It´s active and really full on and actually rather intense. I love the idea of a relaxing, slow way to achieve mind and physical fitness but I have to have the thrill of the movement, the rawness that boxing brings, and it’s a great way of releasing any pent up anger and stress that day to day life can bring you.

The Best Shape Ever!

My body is probably on the way to being in the best shape ever (well since I was in my teens anyway) and the constant mix up and changing of footwork and the ever gruelling ‘minutes’ means I never get bored. My body doesn’t know what’s coming next as it’s a constant mix-up of fitness.

Boxing isn’t easy it’s a tough work out but if you put your all into it you will certainly see a result.

I wanna stay in those jeans!

I am going to continue my training as an hour 2-3 times a week is really easy to fit into my schedule. I can honestly say I haven’t found another active sport that has helped me tone up so quickly, and enjoyably. The lbs I dropped previously have stayed off although I haven’t lost anymore (I blame our Greek cooking lessons in Rhodes for this) I always prefer to judge my size not on lbs dropped but by how well my clothes are fitting. If my favourite pair of jeans don’t hurt on my hips then I’m a very happy girl.

Boxing is such a loved sport, you can literally find a club in every town. I trained with Sammy Cantwell of CANTWELL’S GYM, Beaverwood Lodge,Beaverwood Road,Chislehurst, Kent

For any enquires call...07508275953 or email sammycantwell@hotmail.com

I also have to thank Lonsdale for sending me my very own 12lb boxing gloves to assist in my training, they are available to buy at (www.Lonsdale.com). Thank you, I love them!

Famouslyfit.com readers - stay tuned to the Blackbelt Challenge and Rebecca Miller´s new Yoga series to find out more about these two types of exercise