Iranian Womens Rugby

Next month the Rugby World Cup kicks off on 9 September in Auckland, New Zealand.
I know it's a little early but the countdown has already begun here in Southern Africa, as my country South Africa gets ready to defend their title as world champions. (Go Springboks!)
To get the excitement going I thought I'd feature lesser known rugby team: The Iranian womens' rugby team.
Isn't it excellent how Iran has their women involved in so many different types of sports?
Like their football team, the women play in full tracksuits and hijabs. Team coach, Fatme Molai says of their hijabs, "Wearing a veil does not change our method of play - clothes are something you wear and don't influence what you know how to do."
Last year they played in Europe for the first time in a seven-a-side tournament in Cortina D'Ampezzo, Italy, pictured above (Iran's Farzaneh Navab Rad, right, is challenged by Italy's Federica Carlet).
They lost 10-0 to the host nation and then suffered a further 33-0 setback in a second game. But they came back to win local side Valsugana 10-3.
Although they did not win in Europe that year, they did win in Laos and Thailand previously.
Playing sports in Iran has its rules. And in a game like rugby where few women particpate, there are fewer well-trained female coaches to do the job. Their coach, Alireza Iraj, abides by Iranian Islamic rules and avoids making direct contact with the players. In training sessions, he instructs a player to demonstrate a move and keeps his distance. Tricky! But they manage to do it.
They are not as strong as their footie counterparts, but over time I'm sure they'll only improve. If the Iranian sports record is anything to go by, then their perseverance will bring results.
Photo source (AP) and to read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1299440/Iranian-womens-rugby-team-field-wearing-modesty-preserving-headscarves-tracksuits.html#ixzz1UpYIWtD8

getting into the habit of exercise - (part 2)

So you've done those 3 minute workout sessions everyday for a week, maybe even two.
On the first day, you probably had a mental tug of war: "Better start those 3mins now. Agh, but I don't feel like it! And I'm busy. But it's only 3 mins" blah blah blah. I could go on, but you already know what I mean.
Then on the second and third day, the voice in your head starts to do its mental tug of war again. BUt before it even gets to the first excuse, you find your body getting up out of bed to do those stretches. Or getting out of your cubicle, into the ladies cubicle, to secretly do those knee lifts. That voice in your head may still be talking, but its sort of background noise now as your body takes over.
What happened? Your body, which is designed to move, was given a reminder, a kick start, back into its natural purpose. And its desire to move becomes stronger the more often you do it. There are still the old excuses that make a noise in your head, but they seem less significant now.
This is a good time to add more minutes to your 3 minute sessions. Again, don't overdo it. Focus on a gradual shift over a period of many weeks, months or even years. Add two minutes every second or third day.
Start looking into past issues of health and fitness magazines for some workouts. Some are available online, like on womenshealth.com.
For free! You don't have to do those workouts yet. But search for some beginner workouts and print it. Keep looking at it, familiarise yourself with the moves. This is conditioning of the mind.

Your Ramadan exercise tip - Keep the momentum going

The blessed month is upon us, Ramadan Mubarak to you all!
Fasting can make exercise seem like an impossibility. You may decide to put all exercise regimens on hold until the end of the fast. That's ok, whatever suits you.
To make it easier to return to your exercise, I suggest that you do the 3 minute workout sessions to keep the momentum going during Ramadan. You'll glide back into your routine once the fast is over.
Here are some exercise moves you could do in those 3 minute sessions.
THough if you want to continue exercising, you are not alone. Many pro athletes continue to train, and compete whilst abstaining from food and drinks. And they manage to do it, so it is possible.
Kulsoom Abdullah, friniggi's sponsored athlete, is competing this Saturday August 6th in the Georgia Games, another weightlifting competition. She is obesrving the fast too. Best of luck to her!