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Madeira - Friends Travelling Together

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 Madeira - Time to Relax and have Fun I love Madeira. It is an island full of stunning landscapes, ocean vistas and rich in culture. I am always working when I visit this island and the visits are usually no more than two days. I am about to embark on a holiday with my crazy friend who has never been to Madeira. We went on holiday a couple of years ago to Santorini and had such a great time together, we decided to do it again.  Madeira is a Portuguese island located in the Atlantic Ocean. Madeira has a sub-tropical climate with stunning flora and some of the best scenery in Europe. The island is mountainous so there are some breath-taking ocean views and the vibrant colours of the exotic flowers and emerald green foliage flow seamlessly into the dazzling blues of the ocean.  Vista views all around the Island The adventure started at Bournemouth International Airport for our flight to Madeira. The flight was on time and we arrived into Funchal at 7pm. The hotel we stayed ...

Good Posture for Well-being and Balance

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  Good Posture, Well-being and Balance I was stopped the other day, whilst walking along the coastal path, by a gentleman (in his late 60's). He felt seemingly awkward when asking me if I did some sort of exercise to keep such a great posture. This was a very flattering comment as my posture is something I have worked on for many years. I was a national swimmer from a very young age and this helped enormously through my adolescence (the slouching years) as I am tall in stature. I was also a runner and gym-goer. Good posture means you align your body correctly with a straight spine and centering your weight directly over your feet. For exercise purposes this aids perfect form enhancing workouts and preventing injury. Good posture is not just for sports people. It is also important for balance which is a 'must' as we age . Posture can be improved with various exercises and activities that you can add into your daily life, from balance training to yoga poses. These balance tec...

Cruising - A Way of Living Life to the Full

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Life is Good at Sea Just 3 weeks ago I was disembarking this very ship and now I am here again living this wonderful life, seeing the world and enjoying the luxuries of this beautiful vessel. I will, as always, be visiting some amazing destinations too. My last working cruise  sailed to the Western Mediterranean and Italy and it was magical for me. I escorted some incredible excursions in all of the ports and had so much fun with the passengers. This cruise has a similar itinerary as we are sailing to enjoy the highlights of Italy and the Mediterranean . There are some new ports that I have not visited before so I am really excited and feeling energised for new sights and experiences. Sometimes I am allocated a Passenger cabin with a balcony, depending on whether the ship is full. For this cruise I have an Entertainers cabin at the forward of the ship. I actually love these cabins as they have the most amazing picture window and the view is quite breathtaking. I have a full view o...

The Benefits of Sea Views and being close the Ocean

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The Benefits of a Sea View Sea views and ocean vistas increase our well-being and wellness. The relaxing sounds of the waves with the colour of blue promoting calmness and tranquillity. There is a great deal of research, at present, into the benefits of our proximity to the sea. These studies accentuate the health benefits and healing properties of the rhythm, sounds and scents of an ocean environment. Listening to the sound of the ocean waves can encourage healthier sleep patterns and the sea air can support a better nights sleep. Ocean views can contribute to our mental and emotional well-being, boosting our mood and overall mental health. Looking at an ocean vista promotes relaxation, a feeling of calm and enhances our creativity whilst reducing our stress and anxiety levels. Although the ocean encourages relaxation and calm for the mind, our body can feel more energised. We may feel like taking a long walk along the coast or spending some time swimming, snorkelling or surfing. This...

Travel - A Taste of Italy and the Western Mediterranean - Working Cruise

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  Working Onboard Cruise Ships So here I am again on the Ocean waves. For the next 3 weeks I will be heading from the UK towards the Western Mediterranean and Italy then returning back to the UK. As you are aware from previous working cruises  I love working onboard and accept the contracts that are offered to me with gratitude.  Working as a Fitness and Yoga instructor on cruise ships does come with its challenges. Mainly being aware that the floor 'moves' at sea and at times unpredictably. This means that I have to pay particular attention to my sequences and exercise routines. For example any balance poses are not advisable so I tend to do mostly mat work and exercising from a chair. I work with the older generation so this does actually bode well.           Download My Little Booklet of Yin Yoga and Holistic Healing This, of course, does limit the type of classes I can do and the main priority for me is to keep passengers motivated to ret...