Fitness and the importance of Happiness.
Our site’s main focus is on exercise and offering coaching across skill-based practices such as Animal Flow, YogaBody Stretching, Callisthenics and Strength & Conditioning.
But it is also about how Moving makes you Happy and how Happiness can contribute to your general well-being.
Research shows that if you want to feel better, have more energy and even add years to your life, then you just need need to exercise. And you’ve probably heard that exercise increases endorphins, which, along with other chemicals in your brain, makes you feel happy.
So, with numerous physical and emotional benefits to being happy, how do you ‘get happy’? The secret in delivering real happiness to yourself is within YOU. In other words, happiness doesn’t just happen to you, happiness is a lifestyle and you Choose Happiness.
Choose to Move, Get Happier. Choose Happiness, Get Fitter.
Happiness depends on ourselves.
Aristotle
Paula Panda’s enthusiasm for all things fitness is infectious and she’ll have you doing things you never knew you could in no time at all – would highly recommend!
Zoe Holmes, Dover Club Runner
Choose Animal Flow
We advocate moving for health and happiness; exercise makes us happier by releasing endorphins, lowering stress levels and relieving anxieties...
Animal Flow fuses elements of multiple body-weight training disciplines such as callisthenics, martial arts, yoga, street-dance & parkour. Athletes and fitness enthusiasts of all levels can realise significant benefits from the practice, including increased mobility, flexibility, stability, power, endurance, skill and neuromuscular communication...
Choose Yoga Stretching
If you find an exercise practice you love, one you want to do regularly, you'll be on the path to finding happiness and are likely to enjoy a less stressful life...
You can become flexible at any age! Stretching can improve your quality of life and being flexible helps improve your joints and in turn helps prevent pain. You can improve your over all physical health by being able to move more easily. When you combine stretching with your Sport, Strength and Conditioning Training, you’ll improve recovery times and reduce muscle stiffness...
Choose Callisthenics
Studies found that regular physical activity outdoors leads to greater long-term happiness compared to working out inside...
Callisthenics is a broad term that covers a variety of ways of training, usually using compound body-weight exercises although sometimes external resistances can be incorporated - and yes, often practiced outside! Fundamental to all Callisthenics is a strong core which allows advanced skills like Muscle-Ups, Human Flag, Front or Reverse Levers, Planche and L or V sits...
Animal Flow Workshop
Delighted to have coached an Animal Flow Workshop for the awesome Krav Instructors at 7 Primal Krav Maga Folkestone, Kent. Training all Biomotor Abilities as Krav training demands – Mobility, Strength, Power, Endurance, Coordination, Stability – these guys rose to the challenge and nailed it.
We looked at increasing hip opening with Crab, Ape and Scorpion to help with roundhouse kicks, Travelling Forms to create high tension to help the joints ability to ‘stiffen’ when needed, for example when punching, and some high levels of isometric tension in switches between Beast & Crab – these help increase a fighter’s ability to exert and withstand force.
Brilliant fun and an awesome workout – thanks for ‘bringing’ your energy and commitment.
Check out 7Primal Krav HERE
Paula's a great instructor and her Animal Flow coaching helps my Krav training.
I have trained in Krav Maga for almost 10 years and feel Animal Flow exercises really complement a lot of the striking and movements we do in class. I’ve tried yoga before but I find Paula’s Animal Flow more beneficial to the type of training I do multiple times a week.
I regularly suffer with tight muscles in my neck and back from a pre-existing neck injury. The stretching and movements really helps loosen my back up and aids my flexibility.
Paula’s a great instructor, really knowledgeable and her classes are a good work out and always a lot of fun! I highly recommend people give it a try!
Ben Parsons, Martial Artist and Krav Maga Instructor
All combat practitioners need to be effective in multi-directional movement to be effective in their sport, and Animal Flow can help with that and more.
I must say Paula is already a great being! To add to that she is absolutely a great coach/teacher for this Animal Flow style of movement! It's a moving flow of yoga! A great workout! Connecting your mind, body, and all the goods!
If you haven't heard of it, I suggest you check it out! The mobility & flexibility after one session is beyond what you would think! Be ready to flex & sweat! I'm a basketball player plus used to box, so this was so different yet so satisfying! Transition is key! It's a VIBE! PAULA'S GOT IT! I LOVE IT!
Tara West, Musician & Artist, USA
Panda's amazing, positive disposition has helped me massively with my shoulder mobility - I can’t thank her enough for her kind nature, boundless energy, and strategic stretching that now means I can actually complete movements in Crossfit that were alien to my body before.
Stuart Gonsalves, 4th Dan Black Belt Kyokushinkai and CrossFitter
I was very lucky to have had the pleasure of attending an Animal Flow class run by Paula. As well as the class being very enjoyable and fun, Paula was very knowledgeable and friendly. She not only verbally instructed us but also visibly executed each motion, which helps with the way I learn. I found the Flows extremely helpful to create more control in my movements and, as a result of this I have incorporated this into my daily workout.
Delphine Craig, Self Defence Coach 7Primal Krav Maga
Running is very important to me and am proud to have taken part in six marathons plus events such as The Great South Run and The Grizzly to name a few. But like many runners, I suffer from painful knees, a few too many aches and very stiff hamstrings. Paula helped fix all that! She skillfully coached me through a series of specific practices which I continue to use each day and I feel so much better. Her passion is infectious and we had such fun too.
Rew Dinkelé, UK Athletics, U13 Coach Andover Athletic Club
When I was about 40 years, I ran 10k - that was a major distance for me! Now at 79, I like to keep my cardio up with 5k (once a week if I can). Ian and Paula are fantastic at encouraging me to put on my trainers, and often run with me round our local park - I always feel great when I finish - thank you.
Jenny Cooper, aged 79!
Paula Panda’s enthusiasm for all things fitness is infectious and she’ll have you doing things you never knew you could in no time at all – would highly recommend!
Zoe Holmes, Runner
Working with Paula was incredible - she knows how to squeeze the best out of me! I think Animal Flow is a great stand alone class, but I also see the huge cross over benefits for improving my performance when I’m boxing, running and in the gym. I’ve tried Animal Flow with other instructors, but could never get into it. Paula is by far the best!
Jordan Turner, PT, Breathwork Coach and Boxer
I am inherently physically lazy! But Paula consistently encourages me to 'move more' and this has been paramount to me changing my attitude; her excellent teaching style & sunny nature has motivated me to be more accountable for my own well-being. I have increased my open water swimming sessions to now saying YES to attempt a Channel Relay Swim! Animal Flow not only helps build up my core, my shoulder strength and fitness gains, but I'm always buoyed up when I have finished one of Paula's sessions - she's a happy force to be reckoned with ha ha.
Claire Atkins, Wild Swimmer & Tennis Lover
Things to read
Let's choose happiness
together.
What does your Fitness Journey look like?
Whether you’re starting something new, re-kindling your love for exercise or already training, our sessions will support your goals.
If you want to have a chat, please just drop us a line!
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