Physical Benefits of Yoga

Being an athlete for the past several years can take a harsh toll on the body; being a sprinter automatically gives one a lazy mindset (or at least I found that me and my sprinter friends always looked for shortcuts). So what could I do? I know I needed to have some form of exercise to alleviate the injuries I endured over the years, but I knew that doing basic stretches by myself daily was only going to last me a week. I needed a system, a workout buddy; something organized to keep me focused. So I researched Yoga. I was not in need of yoga from a spiritual perspective, but my physical body had enough and needed a change! I found that yoga has a lot more benefits than flexibility and stability, and over time as I began to practice yoga; I felt a change in my physical body. My posture changed, my shoulders were less tense, my legs weren’t aching after walking for ten minutes; yoga helped me take care of my body better than I was before.Like I stated before Yoga truly helps with flexibility and stability, but what I didn’t know is that if you practice yoga, you can also release stress (migraines), help your heart by lowering your blood pressures, and lowering cholesterol. According to thedailyburn.com Yoga can help you sleep better and feel less fatigued, as well as help control food cravings. Lastly, I found that for those struggling with respiratory problems found that the breathing techniques performed in yoga helped those issues, (cnachealth.com)I know right now you may be thinking, I can’t do yoga or when I tried it, I found it didn’t benefit me. Well the answer to that my be what were you looking to gain from doing yoga and figuring out which yoga is right for you.Types of Yoga:Yoga for Weight LossIf you are looking to practice yoga to loss some weight you should try Vinyasa or Bikram Yoga.Vinyasa is a fast paced yoga that changes postures quickly. If you pair this yoga 2x a week with a cardio workout you will begin to see weight loss. Bikram aka Hot Yoga has also been known to be used for weight loss. Being in a 105 degree Farenheit room practices yoga poses can increase your heart rate which will burn calories fasters. Bikram yoga also helps your digestive system and allows to get rid of those unhealthy food cravings.Yoga for AthletesPower Yoga is a strength training yoga that focuses on your core and is often paired with hand weights. If you’re looking for a good workout, try this type of yoga!Iyenar Yoga, every athlete should ensure that one form of yoga they practice is NOT high paced. After power yoga, it is essential that an athlete practice a form of yoga that focuses on performance and breath control. Iyenar helps to promote strength while releasing tension and building mobility and stability.Yoga for All AgesRestorative Yoga is for all ages. It focuses on the beginner postures while relaxing and soothing the nerves. Props that are usually used are blankets/pillows and the ideal goal is to allow you to gain more flexibility and stability.Be Healthy, Xoxo

The Secrets to Even Skin

 My wonderful mother (who went to a profession school for cosmetology) has taught me everything I needed to know growing up about taking care of your body, your skin and your hair, but the area that she was unable to give me much advice in was the makeup department. Not because she was ignorant to certain beauty products, just because her two makeup essentials truly are eyeliner and mascara, with the occasional blush.So this is where I turned to my big sis, Jeré! Jeré DeFreitas is a freelancer who has been working for Bobbi Brown for the past 8 years! Her interest in makeup and beauty started in her college years at Hampton University. Jeré has truly been able to touch my life, not only by doing my makeup, but by empowering me and several others to embrace the beauty within, while merely enhancing our outer beauty. With that being said, we took a little trip to Nordstrom and she gave me some tips on how to get even skin without caking on a lot of makeup!Tip 1:MoisturizeI tend to have really dry skin so Jeré gave me a few tips on how to be thoroughly moisturized. 1. Use eye cream! It is essential that you do not use your face cream under your eyes because that area is very sensitive. Be to sure to look for creams that are specific to that area. 2. Try using a repair serum if your skin has been dry for a period of time. Use this serum once a day underneath your moisturizer. 3. Use the right moisturizer for your skin. I use the Cetaphil cleanser and I am guilty of not reading the label. Jeré pointed out to me that my cleanser was for normal and oily skin, which I do not have. Be sure that if you have dry or oily skin that you pick the right moisturizer for your skin. 4. Be sure to exfoliate at least once a week! I have also noticed that my lips have been extra dry, which is not cute at all! If you use olive oil mixed with brown sugar as an exfoliator you will start to see the dead skin removed and your lips will be softer!Tip 2:Applying the baseIf you are like me and tend to have big eyes that create big dark circles, you might want to use some concealer. 1. Only use the concealer under your eyes never on your lids because it produces oil. 2. Typically it is good to apply the concealer before applying foundation, bb cream or other products to the face. 3. You don’t need to layer on makeup to get an even look! I would love to use foundation but my skin is just too sensitive. So instead I bought cc cream/tinted moisturizer by Bobbi Brown that Jeré used on me. 4. I love this tinted moisturizer because it fills in those dark areas and I do not have to apply much.    ----------------------------------------------       5. Once you are done applying your base, if you still see areas that are not even simply use a little foundation to cover up those marks!Tip 3:The final touchesNow depending on if you are going out or if this is an everyday look for you, you can add a few touches! I personally don’t like to use blush or bronzer unless it is a special occasion (sensitive skin remember) but it’s up to you!1. Bronzer before blush always! 2. Only apply your bronzer in the t-zone area 3. IF you want to create a fuller effect on your eyes be sure to smudge your liner 4. Also if you tend to have oily eyelids like I do, try using a base before applying your eye shadow or just stick to cream eye shadows!I hope you guys were able to learn something from reading this, I know I learned a lot. So these are just some tips if you want to change up your makeup or you wanted to start wearing makeup, try it out!Be Flawless,Xoxo

The Beauty Intern

My first feature!!!!!!!! I literally adore this girl and since it is Beauty Week it was only right that I feature the best beauty woman I know. She has been the beauty intern for Real Simple Magazine for the past year and has taught me so much about how to take care of your skin, face and hair. On top of that she gives me all the goodies from her beauty closet! So I hope you enjoy reading this feature on Laurice Rawls as we discussed different beauty products, beauty qualities (inner and outer) and what she loves most about interning for Real Simple.  What are your top 5 beauty products?Clinque Lash Power Feathering Mascara. Makes my eyelashes really defined and long, the brush is very simple.Mac Velvet TeddyLush Cosmetics Mask of Magnaminty Cleanser, Cleanser but feels like it is exfoliating. Mac Prep and Prime BB Cream, for the summer because foundation is too thickKiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil Free Gel CreamWhat is your beauty regimen?Aveeno skin brightening daily scrub, very light and fresh. I use that in the morning and night, and since it is skin brightening you really see the difference. I use a mask once a week. Also moisture with SPF, it is very important for African Americans girls especially, because it prevents wrinkles and also protects your skin.What are your top inner beauty qualities?“Your beauty lies within your smile.” Personality; even if you do not think you are pretty, having a great personality brings out your inner beautyWhat do you love most about being a beauty intern?I love the events, I like to try all the new products and see them before they come out. Which is really fun, seeing the magazine come to life. Being able to work on the magazine with your editors and see how it comes out is really cool. Being apart of the process in general; it’s fun!Be Beautiful, Xoxo 

DIY: Neon Converse

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3Moz0fE5ek Be Bright, Xoxo 

2014 Celebrity Charity Basketball Game

It is always good to give back! Being able to serve your community isn’t only beneficial for the recipient, but for yourself as well. Duffy’s Hope Foundation is dedicated to helping their community by reaching out to teens between the ages of 12-17. The foundation started in 1998 by Allen “Duffy” Samuels and is located in Wilmington, Delaware. Over the years Duffy’s Hope has been able to touch over 4,500 lives and continues to extend their hands to the youth of Delaware.Each year Duffy hosts a celebrity event to raise funds for seminars, mentoring, tutoring and more. This year I had the pleasure of returning to Delaware after 6 years. I had attended the Celebrity Softball Game in the summer of 2008 and returned that winter for the Basketball game. I enjoyed being able to be apart of what Duffy’s Foundation is doing to help their youth and was looking forward to coming back for the Celebrity Basketball Game this year. Of course being able to meet my favorite character, Derek Roman (Mckinley Freeman) from VH1’s “Hit the Floor” and the uncontrollably handsome Blue (Jay Ellis) from BET’s top show “The Game” added to my excitement. Other celebrity guests that attended the event were Romeo, Keshia Chante, Christian Keyes, Lamman Rucker, Allie Deberry, Tammy Browning, Hot Sauce, DJ Mifflin, and Raven Goodwin.

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There are several ways to give back to your community, church, school or other organizations, you just have to get out there and do something! Whether it is serving or organizing a charity event or simply donating to the organization, it is always good to be able to influence someone in a beneficial way!

Be Charitable,

Xoxo