Matanga Fitness

We spend a lot of time talking about the health benefits of dance (with good reason!)...but today we’d like to slide down the list and draw your attention to the lost child of lifestyle interventions...SLEEP!

You are likely aware that every major physiological system of the body (immune, metabolic, endocrine, cardiovascular) is enhanced by sleep. What you may not know, is the simple fact that the shorter your sleep, the shorter your life. Inadequate sleep consistently predicts all cause mortality.

But lets look at some of the direct correlations to your health goals.

Sleep deprivation will sabotage your diet and fitness plan. We know that inadequate sleep drives up stress hormones such as cortisol, which in turn can drive changes such as increased muscle breakdown, and increased fat deposition. Additionally we see increasing blood sugar levels and hypertension (high blood pressure) as a direct correlation.

Inadequate sleep will jeopardise your training (both physically and cognitively). 1.7X the injuries are recorded in elite athletes who clock

So simply and perfectly said 🙏🏾 I challenge you to find any antidepressant that performs better than the combination of sun, dance, and community❤️

The Rwandan prescription for Depression: Sun, drum, dance, community. “We had a lot of trouble with western mental health workers who came here immediately after the genocide and we had to ask some of them to leave. They came and their practice... From The Moth podcast, Notes on an Exorcism.

Matanga Fitness fam! Who’s up for a weekend instalment💪🏾? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!🤗 Melbourne Winter is tough❄️ but we know sweating it out to some🔥African rhythms and grooves is gonna fix it! Pitch a vote for Saturday’s vs Sunday’s and we’ll make it happen🙌🏾

No class Today!
See you all next week 🔥

Our future😍 these beautiful curious minds deserve so much of our time🙏🏾 We had such a great session of dance, percussion and storytelling! We’re looking forward to many more😊
Always a pleasure to be able to bring a bit of my culture to the classroom🌍

The 'diet' space has become increasingly complex over recent years. It shouldn't be. The path to eating well for overall health and longevity is actually pretty well documented in the scientific journals (and by all the centenarians living in our current global 'blue zones').

I think there's a few beautifully illustrated take homes in this article.
1. We need to stop demonising wholegrains, legumes and dairy
2. We need less animal proteins than we've been accustomed to
And...
3. Essential fatty acids (nuts, seeds, olive oil, seafood) remain as essential as ever

If you need some clear, straightforward advice in navigating the diet maze, please check in with us...or equally any GP or credentialed nutritionist with a specialty interest in lifestyle medicine.

The three diets researchers say are even more harmful than smoking | The New Daily The three diets experts rate even worse than smoking A global study has revealed what we should be eating to fix major flaws with our diets, and to reduce the risk of an early death. Poor diets are killing A global study has revealed what we should be eating to fix major flaws with our diets, and to reduce the risk of an early death.

Here’s to representing your country and your culture with all the dignity, pride, and passion of your heritage🙏🏽. Bravo Lakiz... jaw on the floor performance🔥...Congo would be so proud🙌🏾🌍