BODY & EXERCISE - Foam rollers

I recently hurt my hip and after seeing a medical doctor and finding out there was nothing structurally wrong with me, I decided to see a chiropractor. After looking over x-rays and doing some examinations, he concluded that the muscles near my hip attached itself to my bones and that's what causes the pain. (see picture below) In addition to office visits and adjustments, he suggested I purchase a foam roller and try to "roll" the area out while on my own time. So, like any good patient does, I took his advice and started the exercise. 

First, it's a lot harder than I thought it would be. Thanks to the internet and YouTube, I looked up a few exercises to replicate. Second, when in motion, these foam rollers really hurt! I guess that's the point when you're trying to get your body better and if it doesn't hurt then there shouldn't be anything wrong with you right? But these little things are packed with so much density that when you apply pressure to the area that's bothering you, you really feel the pain. 

After a few days of using it I know I can feel a difference. My hip isn't as tight and I can move around without pain a lot better. What has your experience been like using a foam roller? 

Below is an illustration of my attached muscle and foam roller exercise videos I found useful:

LIFESTYLE - Hula and the Merrie Monarch

Hula has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I think I was about 4 years old when I first started dancing with my church. I loved everything about hula. My love for hula continued through middle school. My and hula parted ways for about five years while I explored other passions and tried new things. When I moved back to Hawaii after being away for four months in college hula was one of the first things I got back in to. Once college ended and I began my journey of the "real real world" hula and I parted ways again. Although hula and I had an on again off again relationship, it still remained my love and I always seem to coming back to it. 

 Whether you're old or new to the hula community, everyone knows the Merrie Monarch competition is the Olympics of hula. This year was the 50th Anniversary of the event and like always, people from around the world tuned it to watch the performances. The first night of competition the few selected ladies compete for the title of Miss Aloha Hula. This year a young lady from my island home Maui obtained the coveted title. The second night of competition is the Hula kahiko. This is the traditional style of hula or other known as the faster type of hula. The third and final night of competition is the Hula 'auana or the more modern type of hula. The third night is is a long day for everyone. Not only is it the final night of week long activities, it's also the awards ceremony. People stay up to see who has claimed the respected titles. 

Since I was a little girl, I would tune in to watch the Merrie Monarch competition each year. All those years when hula and I weren't together, I told myself, I have to get back. Last year I got so tired of hearing myself say that I finally decided to do something about it. Since I grew up on Maui and I've only danced with my church, I wasn't sure who or how to go about contacting halaus. Thanks to the internet, I looked up all the participating halaus on Oahu and sent out emails. The first to get back to me was Kumu Hiwa of Hula Halau Ka Lehua Tuahine. After visiting my first class, I immediately connected with Kumu Hiwa and her style of teaching and hula. Since then, I've never looked back. I'm so proud of my hula sisters who competed at this year's Merrie Monarch. It is my hope to one day be on that stage with them and compete. Congratulations to all of this year's Merrie Monarch participants and a big Mahalo (thank you) to all the people who put on this extraordinary event every year. 

Below are a few photos of my hula sisters for Halau Hula Ka Lehua Tuahine:

LIPS - eos organic lip balm

 

 

I'm not much of a lipstick wearing everyday type of gal but more of a lip balm. While at my local Walmart today I decided to try out a different lip balm. I've heard my best friend talk about this before and would even buy it in bulk. I remember seeing it in the past but finally decided to see what all the hype was about. The eos organic lip balm comes in an array of flavors ranging from pomegranate raspberry to summer mint . It's cute in size and already shaped for easy application. It's very affordable and can be found at your local drug store. So far so good and it receives a thumbs up from me!

 

Taken from the eos website:

eos lip balm is 95% organic, 100% natural, and paraben and petrolatum free. Packed with antioxidant-rich vitamin E, soothing shea butter and jojoba oil, eos keeps your lips moist, soft and sensationally smooth.

• Long-lasting moisture
• Shea butter & vitamin E
• Smoothes on clear
• Precisely glides on lips
• Twist-off top

• Gluten-free
• Paraben-free
• Petrolatum-free
• Phthalate-free
• 0.5 oz