Each month on the Active Living Program we feature amazing Cardio, Strength and Stretch Trainers.
Here on MNB’s ‘Meet Your Trainer’ series, we’ll introduce your trainers each month so you can get to know a little more about them.
Introducing your Stretch Trainer … the wonderful Patty Perlman.
How long have you been a trainer?
10 years teaching yoga.
What inspired you to become a trainer?
I’ve been doing yoga since I was 15 and wanted to share the amazing benefits I was feeling in my mind and in my body.
What do you love most about what you do?
I love helping people. Seeing their faces, relaxed and blissed out after a yoga class. Helping a 65 year old woman into a headstand after she says ‘there’s no way I can do that’ and then seeing a big grin on her face after. Witnessing an athlete who can barely touch their knees reach for their toes a few months later. To see the way people surprise themselves is a gift.
What excites you the most about the Active Living Program?
I love that I can share everything I’ve learned and love about yoga with so many people. And what a great way to get fit, support each other and be real about our struggles and our triumphs!
Fun Fact!
I love planning. When I travel I’ll make an itinerary and book restaurants way in advance, I’ll even google the best night to go. I look up everything from sunrise times to local lingo and I even put it in a spreadsheet. If you met me you would probably think I don’t know how to get myself home!
I also love Mexican food and would eat it for all three meals if I could.
Favourite post workout snack:
Breakfast! I usually workout early in the morning right after I teach yoga and then head home to chow down. I make a mean frittata: eggs, veggies and always tomatoes to keep it moist.
Favourite workout tunes:
The Killers
Go to motivation:
If I’m feeling lazy I send an email to everyone who’s been on a yoga retreat and invite them hiking, even if it’s the night before. People always turn up and it forces me to get up early and out in nature.
How do you Move?
I mix yoga, hiking and riding my bike. I’m doing a little more weight training these days too. I try to get outside as much as possible. I also have a dog. If you need motivation to get outside… get a dog!
How do you Nourish?
Naturally I’m not the healthiest eater! I wish chips and salsa were a food group. I’ve learned to avoid anything in a box or a packet if I can. Protein and veggies and dark chocolate are what end up in my shopping cart.
I love warm foods, so a lot of healthy soups and curries with lots of vegetables and healthy fats get made in my kitchen. I include healthy carbs like brown rice, quinoa, pumpkin and sweet potato. I make a lot of green smoothies with vegan protein. I eat when I’m hungry and avoid restricting myself.
How do you Believe?
I meditate every day and practice guiding my breath. Sometimes for 5 minutes, sometimes for 20, on my own, with music, in a class… After, I then journal whatever comes to mind. It’s a great way to unpack the stuff I don’t need and create space for the things that inspire and drive me.
You can follow Patty and her adventures here and on Facebook.
Want to join Patty on one of her amazing retreats? Head here for more information and to book your place.
Upcoming retreats include:
Yoga Snow Retreat Niseko, Japan March 10-16
Beachfront Yoga Retreat Byron Bay, March 22-25
Beachfront Yoga Retreat October 25-28