Alicia Krige’s passion lies in movement, whether it be through practising yoga or at her boxing classes, she loves leading a healthy lifestyle full of fitness and mobility! We chat to her about how she does it.
Stats
Age: 29
Lives: Johannesburg, Gauteng
Trains at: Moove Motion Fitness Club. Apex Boxing. Yoga Everywhere!
Profession: Vinyasa Yoga Teacher & Fitness Trainer
Sponsor: Powered By Biogen
Website: In Progress… Watch this Space!
IG: alicia_moves_x
FB: Alicia Krige
When did you first start practicing yoga/What initially got you into yoga?
I have been practicing the movement of yoga for 3 years consistently. There is such a vast depth to the practice and so much more than just movement which I only discovered later on in my journey. At first I was obsessed with mobility in general, seeing what my body was capable of and pushing my own limitations not only physically but mentally too.
My fitness journey didn’t start with yoga but rather strength training, weight lifting and body weight exercises and as I got stronger I realised the importance of mobility and functionality of the entire body if I was ever planning on doing this for the rest of my life and this is where yoga became an integral part of my every day. Through this practice I then gained even more physical strength, confidence, mobility and above all a strong mind, as well as kindness and compassion toward myself and others. I took a huge step out of my comfort zone this year and decided to complete my yoga teachers training which empowered me in so many ways and I will be forever grateful to my teacher for the guidance in my own practice. I will forever be a student first.
What made you decide to become a yoga teacher?
Seeing one’s own potential and progression can be very empowering and seeing someone else realize their own potential and progression can be even more powerful. There is nothing better than seeing and feeling happiness and the practice truly brings joy to those on their mats and off of them of course. I want everyone to experience and understand the art of movement, how it can shift energy and how it has the potential to make you the strongest and best version of yourself. I was well aware of what the practice had given me introspectively and physically and wanted to share that with the world.
What do you hope to teach your students other than just the practice of yoga?
Remember that there is no right or wrong, you choose everything. Tear a page from 100 different books and make your own way. We are all a product of your environments so make sure you like what you are directly influenced by and lastly my mantra for you is to #JUSTMOVE ! Consistency is key.
How does yoga benefit you?
Yoga enhances my ability to move in every single way, not only in my self practice, but in my day to day strength training, boxing and in my LIFE. It has kept me injury free and mindful on how my body works, when to push and when to back off. It has given me an understanding of my own body, it’s abilities and limitations, and has helped create that mind to body awareness and connection. One of the most rewarding things was the day I learnt how to breathe. Learning how to use your breathing to your advantage, taking mindful and intentional breaths is at the top of my list of benefits.
Yoga has taught me patience, compassion and acceptance and most of all presence.
Do you have any goals that you’re working towards?
I have so many big future plans and goals, in 2021! I will be completing my 300 hour advanced Yoga teacher training and hopefully my personal training certification too since it is still a big part of what I do and I assist those who ask all the time with their general training strength and fitness.
I wish to travel and learn from the best movers around the world and reach the peak of my potential. I take it one step at a time however, that is the beauty of movement, if we move mindfully and for the sake of longevity and not instant result it is a life time journey that never needs to end.
Do you do any other forms of training other than yoga?
Yes. I really like to keep it interesting. I have a boxing coach Luke Hendrikz at Apex in Parkmore whom has taught me so much in the last year and a half. I train with him once a week without fail and I look forward to Wednesdays! I do strength training 3 times a week. Leg day, upper body and full body. I change up these workouts and they are always different. I need the variety and lately I have been going to some Switch classes when I have time too. I absolutely love incorporating resistance bands and I’m always looking for new ways to make use of them. With regards to practising yoga, I attend other teachers classes all the time. I am always a student before I am a teacher. From a physical aspect it enhances my strength, flexibility and body awareness. I have also developed great mental strength though my practice. Strong Body – Strong Mind – Self Love!
Do you follow any specific diet? If so, which one?
This question was asked in my Face of Fitness entry and it is one I truly believe everyone has a different view or opinion, as we are all so different in so many ways and what works for me won’t work for everyone but I believe in consciously nourishing the body. I do not follow a specific diet, I eat clean and healthy foods and choose day to day what my body needs. I believe we each have the ability to feel what is good for us. I do however know how to have a good time and I am known to be a lover of good foods in general. Balance is Key!
How does a typical day of eating look for you?
I start my day with something cold, a gut health shot and then cold celery juice, from there it’s my favorite part of the day, my first black americano (huge passion for coffee)! I generally don’t eat too early but I love breakfast , it is my favorite meal and I throw together whatever I have which is always something green with eggs in a bowl all mixed together. I then make a Strawberry Biogen Whey Protein shake with all the good stuff in it – Ice, banana, goji berries, almonds, hemp and chai seeds, collagen, glutamine etc. This always differs and depends on what’s available. I make sure this Magic Shake is ice cold before taking it out with me for the day. I’ll have a second coffee and then convince myself not to have a third. I make sure I hydrate as much as possible drinking water throughout the day. Dinner time, again I keep it clean. It is generally a protein and a veg or a couple of different veggies.
What is your go-to healthy meal?
There is very few things in life I love more than a roasted sweet potato and hummus and combined they are my ultimate happy place. I often air fry chunky sweet potatoes until they are crispy and dip them in an incredibly delicious home made hummus. Simple but oh so effective 😉
How do you juggle your personal life with being a yoga teacher/training?
Movement is my life and my greatest passion. I don’t really need to juggle anything. I have built a lifestyle around movement in general and teaching is a gift that I am so very grateful for! I get to move with those I teach and in between I have my self-practice and other forms of training. The various forms of training that I do has introduced me to such incredible people whom have become my friends. My personal life only benefits from my teaching and training.
Do you have any big events coming up (personal or business)?
There are definitely some plans in progress but at the moment no official events. 2021 Watch this Space!
What is the biggest piece of advice you can give to someone wanting to start yoga?
Commit To Yourself and when you do this, everyone you are surrounded by benefits. Remember only you can choose and you do have the gift of choice. When you are in doubt – Breath!
The best advice I was ever given by my teacher was; If you are starting out – SHOW UP! Every single time. If you have been practicing for a while – Whatever you are doing , give your whole heart to it without being worried about the result. Your best is just what you can do right NOW. For Someone that has been practicing for a long time – Be the light to others. Show them what this path is really about by being an EXAMPLE.
Yay or Nay- What does Alicia say?
Vegan diet? YAY, I am a meat eater but I consciously choose to reduce the amount of meat I eat in a week ensuring I play my part in reducing my own carbon footprint. Meatless Mondays has been a great starting point.
Daily training? YAY, absolutely. My Mantra JUST MOVE! Rest and recover with active rest days. We all need to shift energy daily and the quickest way to do so is through Movement!
Functional training? YAY! Mobility, functionality & strength!
Stretching daily? YAY! ABSOLUTELY. There are so many benefits to stretching and none of us want to become stagnant or not able to move, the problem is we come accustomed to the inability to deepen into the body and then just perceive that to be normal.
Detox plans? YAY, this works for some and not for others, again this comes down to preference and the individual. I personally don’t do them as frequently, I prefer a standard fast to clear the body.
Author: Logan Leigh Rix
Logan blends her passion and profession by working as a digital and social media marketer and content creator in the fitness, health and wellness industry. She’s also a personal trainer, former Face of Fitness finalist and Fitness Magazine featured athlete.
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