act like a banana, and SPLIT!

I don't know about you, but flexibility was not something I was blessed with. Maybe it was my lack of ballet and gymnastic classes as a child, my love for rough and tough sports, or just pure genetics.  From the waist up, I am as limber as a rubber band, but from the waist down is no bueno, and believe me my hips don't lie.

Splits were always something that I wished I could do, but never something I actually worked for. I secretly hoped that one day I would just wake up and be that flexible. Keep dreaming Olivia. The splits are not something that are easily obtained (I being a perfect example) and many people struggle with hip flexibility. (Yay, I'm not alone!) Hip flexibility is key in surfing to achieve mobility and giving maneuvers fluidity.  Even though achieving the splits isn't a requirement to be able to surf, I felt that it was a good goal to be able to visually see flexibility results. So I decided to kick my old habits and up my stretching!

I already have a basic routine of stretching for pre/post workouts and surfs thanks to my Gyrotonics instructor Cathrine. For those of you who do not know what Gyrotonics is, let me explain. Even though it sounds like a class for a mad scientist, it is actually a form of working out and rehabilitation. It both gentle and vigorous, yet strengthening core exercises that teach you to control all parts of your body with fluid and graceful motions. You work to extend, expand and open your muscles and joints with breath and motion in order to achieve flexibility and strength. Sounds crazy, I know, but it has been the most amazing experience for my body. (For more information about Gyrotonics, or to find an instructor near you, check out this link https://www.gyrotonic.com/article.aspx ) Anyway, Cathrine is a former ballerina and now instructs ballet, dance and gyrotonics. Let's just say she is my idol when it comes to flexibility and grace. I knew she would be a great person to talk to in order to kick start my path to doing the splits. And boy I was right. I mean shoot, I give mad props to dancers for some of the crazy things they do to maintain their flexibility, because I had to do some of them and they are HARD!!! (See the picture below for proof!) But I don't own expensive Gyrotonic machines, and I barely have room to exercise in my tiny studio, so my regimen had to work with the little I have.

Here are some of my favorite stretches for achieving the splits;

1. V-Stretch: Sit on the ground with your legs extending in front of you in a V shape. I sit in this stretch for about 20 minutes a couple times a day. As you breath and relax into the stretch, continue to move your legs farther and farther apart and widen your V. You can increase the intensity of the stretch by reaching your finger tips to the center (between the V shape created with your legs) as well as left and right.

2. Butterfly Stretch:Sit on the ground with your feet and heels touching and your knees extended outwards. Draw your feet as close to your pelvis as possible and draw your knees to the floor. This was extremely hard for me at first and my knees were almost a foot off the floor on each side. So don't be discouraged if you cant do this right away. I sit in this stretch daily while I am watching TV, reading a book or even eating breakfast.

3. 4-Square Stretch: Sit on the floor (similar to sitting Indian style with one leg crossed over the other) but instead, overlap your legs so that your feet and knees align, making a "square" shape. Lightly press the knee that is on top so that it touches your foot that is under it. You will feel a very intense stretch in your hips. Sit in this position for several minutes, and then switch legs to stretch the other side.

These are just a few of my favorites that you should incorporate into your daily stretch routine of stretching your whole body. Achieving the splits will take time and a lot of dedication, but if you put in the time you will see results! I will check back in with an update of how my stretches are going the closer I get to the splits. Are you ready for the challenge? Comment with your progress, results, and what your favorite stretch is!!

Let the stretching begin!! :)

from land to sea...

Even though my heart always belonged to the ocean, I was stuck on land. I grew up in the small town of Lodi in Northern California. Only two hours from the sea, and two hours from the snow, it could be considered ideal. It is the kind of place where you always see someone you know at the store, or they know you. My family, on both sides, had several generations established in Lodi, and for that, getting away with anything was nearly impossible...thanks mom and dad! The coolest place in town was the movie theater and Foster's Freeze and everyone at House of Coffees knows your usual order. (If you are from Lodi you totally get all of those references...if you aren't from Lodi, well, lucky you.)

My childhood was spent in a country home surrounded by vineyards and orchards. Oh so completely different from saltwater and sand. With two older sisters, an older brother, and a younger brother, there was always something to do and trouble to be made. I was a total tom-boy with major attitude and sass.(Don't be fooled by the photo above folks, I was not an innocent as I appear.) I loved the outdoors and being able to run free, but I belonged in the water. I am pretty sure I learned to swim before I could even walk, as with all of my siblings as well. Water was our sport. We were all swimmers and water polo players with an intense competitive drive. Probably the cause of why any game I play is never just "causal" or "for fun". I had to win...of course. With so many siblings, there was always someone to impress or have to beat. Congratulations were never just a pat on the back, but rather a lecture about "you know, if you would have done this, you would have been so much better". But I won?...nope not good enough. A lot of it was out of sarcasm and for joke, but part of us really wasn't kidding. I remember teasing each other and saying "just remember, if you don't win, you don't get water or food". We were TOTALLY kidding then. My family never made me do anything I didn't want to. I never did the typical girl sports of dance, ballet or gymnastics (and that is why I lack so much grace). Oh gosh it would have taken an army to get a bow in my hair! I was able to choose the sports I wanted to do and just told to do my best and have fun. Yeah, freakin, right. I wanted to win at everything I did. Every sport was a new challenge and opportunity for success. From swimming, to water polo, to soccer and then golf, I made my rounds. I was always the smallest on my team, and the most underestimated. But it's not the size that matters, it is the heart. I was no prodigy at any of the sports I did, but I worked hard to be the best player I could be. I learned so much from every loss and every win, every teammate and every coach, and for that, I thank you all. You played a huge role in who I am today and the meaning of work ethic.

Toward the end of high school, decisions had to be made of where to attend college. I had worked hard to keep good grades in hopes of going to a University. I decided to go to culinary school and pursue a career in baking and maybe one day own my own bakery. I loved to make sweets and treats, and a hands on school experience was what I thought I wanted. I went to school for two years until I got a job offer that required me to move to San Diego. I jumped at the chance and packed up my little car with what I had, set school aside, and headed south.

I eventually found my own place in Solana Beach. In a tiny studio above a sushi restaurant, a block from the beach, was where I fell in love. My first love was surfing. Could you ask for anything better? My only neighbor was an avid surfer, and when he found out I was interested in the sport, he walked over with an extra board and said "Here, this is now yours. Go rip". I was hooked. My entire day began to revolve around surfing. I was in the water, twice a day, three times a day, and sometimes more. I couldn't get enough. I was exhausted and on a high I had never experienced with any other sport before. My neighbor, Dan, showed me the ropes, gave me fitness advice, and totally took me under his wing and became my coach. A year and a half and 5 boards later, and I am still as in love as I was from day one.

me..duh.

People say I'm crazy. And I say, that's okay. Because sometimes it's the crazy within that drives us to such lengths to be the best possible version of ourselves that we can be.

I am no where near perfection, nor do I ever plan to be, but I am perfectly me. I laugh too much, talk too loud, am extremely sarcastic, usually too competitive, and am always the first in line for food. (Seriously, free food and I'm SO there). I seek excellence in all things I do, and always tell myself that if it is easy, I must not be doing it right.
A lot of things have changed in my life in the last two years. Some things, good and some things bad. But that change has given me a new perspective on life. A new vantage point to how I want to live and the things I want to do and see. I came alone, but I sure didn't get here by myself.

 My journey will never be easy. I will never be normal. This is my life, these are my stories, my adventures and my dreams.

Ready or not..here. I. come.

<3