Maui Vibes – how I’m keeping my chill from vacation

I’m back from Maui!



While I get back into the swing of “regular” life, my goal is to hang on to as much of our chill aloha vibe from vacation as possible. Keep reading to find out how I plan to do this…

Ok hands own, number 1, very favorite thing from vacation – whales! While floating on my back (with my ears underwater) I could hear the whales singing!

This is what they sound like:

We also saw (and heard) loads of tropical birds, Here are the sounds I heard every morning from our condo:

Our very first stop once we got off the plane was the farmer’s market in Kihei. We loaded up on fresh fruit, and of course, banana bread.

Here is our typical breakfast:

Aloha breakfast with local produce

Travel now requires apps, including proof of our negative Covid tests, so Eric talked me into getting a smart phone. While I loved that my old flip phone phone was tiny and indestructible, (why do I drop my phone so much?) my new phone tracks my steps (I know y’all already know this, give me a minute to catch up).

Our location in Kihei meant we could walk to most things. We averaged 6,500 steps each day, mostly barefoot, on sand, rocks, and grass. While here in Portland I spend most of my day barefoot, this is mostly indoors on flat surfaces. My calves were feeling all the beach walking! During my neighborhood walks this week, I looked for rocks, roots, and other uneven surfaces to walk on.

My favorite beach was Kamaole II.

Kam II

It rained a little on and off the first few days, but once it stopped raining we we able to swim! Eric even tried snorkeling for the first time. Swimming in warm water is such a treat, especially if you have only experienced Pacific Northwest swimming.

Here was Eric’s favorite beach, Kahekili. Look close, that tiny black spec to the left of the catamaran is a whale.

Whales (seriously, look close)

A few days it was windy on the beach, so I got in some pool time.

They had Hawaiian radio on at the pool, playing a mix of Hawaiian pop, slack key guitar, reggae, country, and then every once in a while the dj would come on and read a recipe; like the whole recipe, out loud, from start to finish.

pool time!

Speaking of entertainment, I love watching local t.v. stations when I travel and Hawaii did not disappoint. We watched a high school football game, an outdoor cooking show, skin divers spearing fish, and some sweet local commercials.

We ate loads of fruit and veggies (and also fish tacos, bento, ahi poke, teriyaki, and pork lau lau plate lunch). My favorite restaurant was Coconuts, Eric’s was 808 on Main.

Even with all this good food, by the end of our trip both of us noticed our pants were looser. How is this possible? For one thing we walked, and swam a lot. We were also under very little stress. We started our day with fresh fruits and veggies, ate mostly whole foods, and had one big meal each day that often included fish. We also drank lots of water.

Me n Eric sunset selfie

Now, how to bring this aloha vibe back to everyday life?

Here is my plan:

  • Daily meditation. Here’s the meditation I sent to Fit Club members this week.
  • 5 fruits and vegetables a day. Click here to learn why this is important.
  • Daily walking. My goal is to average 6k steps each day, click here to to learn how to add steps by doing your daily activities.

Watch this video for my tips on reducing stress, and taking good care of yourself this spring.

How can I help you look and feel your best this spring? Do you need a walking buddy? I walk most weekday afternoons here in Sellwood. Call or text me and we can schedule a time to meet.

Do you need accountability? I’m happy to email you once a week to see if you are meeting your goals.

How about personalized help improving your diet, lowering your stress level, or adding strength and balance work to your routine (or starting a routine)?

Contact me today for a complimentary consultation.

(503) 705-4762

Anne@FluidPortland.com

My Fit Club shirt helped me keep from getting too much sun.

Looking for an affordable way to add new moves to your repertoire? Join Fluid’s Fit Club! Each week you receive an email with a new video. These range from 5 minute to 60 minutes, and include: – strength and balance exercises – Pilates, yoga, Energy Flow, and Barre – Therapeutic exercises for shoulders, hips, feet, and hands, and – guided meditations.

Sign up for Fit Club here

double rainbow!

Aloha!

Anne McCranie is a Portland, Oregon based personal trainer and licensed massage therapist. She provides pain relief solutions, for women in their 40’s to 80’s.

She offers weekly zoom Pilates, yoga, Barre, and Energy Flow classes, as well as one on one strength, mobility, and balance training training.

Class schedule and descriptions here.



Thai Massage, Snorkeling, and Fire Dancing in Maui Hawaii

Hibiscus

Aloha!

I am back from a week in Maui and am now getting around to uploading my photos.  The reason for my trip, along with vacation, was a Table top Thai Stretching course with Valerie “Passion Flower” Mandall.  We learned an excellent lower body routine that I have been testing out on clients this week (you know who you are:).  This work incorporates a lot of stretching, range of motion and breath work.  Really nice after a long run or bike ride, or even sitting at a desk all day.

This is my third trip to the island and I spent most of my time in Kihei.  I’ve decided my favorites spots are on the south and west sides of the island (Kihei, Lahaina and Napili Bay in that order) because it is usually hot and dry.  The north shore tends to be cooler, greener and get more rain.

Most Saturdays and Sundays the HeU’i Arts and Crafts Festival is happening under the Banyan tree in Lahaina.  You can’t miss it, this one tree takes up the whole city block.  I found some nice photography and jewelry made by local artists.

Lahaina

 

There are several spots along the beach in South Kihei where you can just pull over, and snorkel right from the beach.  At secret beach I saw a yellow tang (my favorite), a trumpet fish and the state fish – humuhumunukunukuapua.  I’m still not able to pronounce this correctly.  I also saw a unicorn fish, an eel,  and one sea turtle.

Kamaole 1,2 and 3 have big grassy areas with picnic tables and you will see local families barbecuing and hanging out on the weekends.  I stuck to snorkeling but if you are interested in SCUBA contact Steve at Maui Dive shops.

Hula Hoop

On Sunday the action is at Little Beach.  Go here to watch the sunset, and post-sunset drumming and fire dancing.  Awesome!  These dancers were unbelievable.  I saw kids as young as 7 or 8 working the flaming hula hoops.  Here a sample:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd0KB8deSso]

Even though I slept luxuriously late most days I did manage to do at least 30 minutes of Pilates almost every morning and yoga on the beach several afternoons.  Here are some action shots:

 

Warrior
Warrior

 

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I am planning a client trip for February 2011 so keep your eyes peeled here or on my newsletter for more info.  I would love for you to join me!

And I will  leave you with a sunset…..Aloha and Mahalo!

Hawaii sunset

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