I normally don’t put anything personal on this blog, but I found myself reflecting on a few things that I wanted to share. Yesterday was my birthday and each year on that day I like to think about all of the wonderful things in my life and what my hopes are for the next year. There is so much to be grateful for and I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to everyone that wished me a happy birthday and brought a smile to my face. I definitely felt the love from everyone around me yesterday! From my trainee classes serenading me with a happy birthday song, to my office being decorated, to all the texts, calls and messages from friends and colleagues around the world, and a wonderful birthday “cake” after Black Belt training, you all sure know how to make a birthday special! Thank you all for being such an important part of my life.

I had a few people ask me if I was doing anything “special” for my birthday. I told them that I was spending the day at East West! The response normally was, “You’re not even taking a day off on your birthday?” Each time, I would just smile and thank them for their birthday wishes. As I thought more about the day as it went on, I realized that I was spending the day doing the things I loved the most with some of the most important and wonderful people I know. That’s a pretty incredible way to spend a birthday! I got to spend the morning with my husband, got a great workout in, spent time teaching our amazing students at East West, and then I finished off the day training with my black belt brothers and sisters and learning from my teacher! I feel very blessed that I get to do those things every single day of my life! I am fortunate enough to spend my days surrounded by amazing and inspiring people, I have the privilege of helping our students grow and improve each day, and I am constantly learning and growing myself. What else could you ask for?! So thank you all for the birthday wishes and for helping to make every day seem like my birthday! I’m a very lucky woman!

For all of you Star Wars fans out there:

Bok Fu Fitness

Warm Up 2 times:
Samson Stretch up mat
10 Horse Stance Squats
Inchworms down mat
10 Broken Bow Jumps
Straight Leg Kicks up mat
10 Tuck Jumps
Advanced/Reverse Straight Leg Kicks down mat
10 Push Ups

Workout:
Tabata (20 seconds of work and 10 seconds of rest, 8 rounds of each)
Horse stance squats with medicine ball throw
Hand Release Push Ups (on the boxes if possible)
V Ups
Chicken Lunges
Bok Fu Burpees

Note: Do all 8 rounds of each exercise before moving onto the next one.

Warm Down:
5 minutes of belt stretching