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The Flostate

Movement that Matters

Health & Wellness

What the Queen of Core Wants You to Know About Ab Training

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They call me the Queen of Core — not because I wear a crown to class (though that would be fun!) — but because I’ve spent the last 13 years teaching people that your core isn’t just about abs. It’s about how you move, breathe, and feel every single day.

As someone who teaches nearly every core class for Flostate, I’ve seen firsthand how transformative a strong midsection can be — for your workouts and your everyday life. Whether you’re chasing kids, lifting groceries, or pushing yourself in the gym, your core is the foundation that holds it all together.

Here’s what I want everyone to know about core training — straight from the Queen herself. 👑

1. Training your core is non-negotiable.

A strong core provides stability for your hips, protects your back, and helps you maintain good posture and balance. It supports you in every move you make — from getting out of bed to picking up your dog to running a 5K.

When your core is strong, you move better, feel better, and live better. It’s one of the best forms of self-care you can give your body.

2. You’ll breathe better.

Your core muscles don’t just stabilize you. They also play a major role in how you breathe. A strong core supports your diaphragm and helps your respiratory muscles work more efficiently, improving your breathing mechanics and posture.

Translation? You’ll feel more centered and calm during workouts, and even just walking around in daily life.

3. You’ll be more powerful.

Every movement starts from your center. Your core is the power bridge that transfers energy between your upper and lower body.

Try swinging a bat, jumping, or squatting heavy without engaging your core — it doesn’t work! A stable core allows you to produce more force, move with control, and perform better in any activity — from sports to strength training to carrying all the grocery bags in one trip.

4. You may look leaner (but it goes beyond aesthetics).

Yes, training your core can create a “drawing in” effect that helps you look leaner — improved muscle tone, posture, and alignment all work together to create that appearance. But the best part? It’s not just about looks.

A stronger core can help you feel more confident in your body, reduce discomfort, and move with ease…which is way more satisfying than any six-pack could ever be.

5. It’s more than crunches.

Your core is made up of over 30 muscles that wrap around your midsection like a natural corset — including your deep stabilizers, obliques, and back muscles.

True core training means working in every direction: flexion, extension, rotation, and anti-rotation. It’s about improving function and control — not just doing endless crunches. When you train movement, not just muscles, your whole body benefits.

After 13 years of teaching core classes, I can tell you the magic happens when people stop chasing flat abs and start training for strength and stability. That’s when everything changes.

6. Core training builds confidence.

There’s something powerful about feeling strong from the center out. A solid core changes how you stand, move, and carry yourself — and that strength translates into every part of your life.

Ready to strengthen your core (and your confidence)?

Join me for a Flostate Core class on-demand and learn how to build strength from the inside out. Whether you’re new to core training or already love it, you’ll move better, breathe deeper, and feel stronger than ever. New to Flostate? Try our 14-day free trial to get going!

See you on the mat,
Alice 💪👑
The Queen of Core

7 Nutrition & Exercise Tips That Actually Work for Perimenopause

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If you’re between 40 and 70, chances are you’ve noticed your body changing in ways you didn’t expect—or maybe didn’t sign up for. Perimenopause and menopause can bring more than hot flashes. Think: restless nights, brain fog, mood swings, stubborn weight gain, and energy that just doesn’t feel the same.

Here’s the good news: while these changes are normal, they don’t have to define you. Experts like Dr. Stacy Sims (Next Level) and Dr. Mary Claire Haver (The New Menopause) remind us that this stage of life is a powerful opportunity to reset how we move, eat, and care for ourselves. With a few key strategies, you can feel more vibrant, resilient, and strong than ever.

7 Nutrition & Exercise Tips to Help You Thrive

1. Make Protein Your Friend

As estrogen declines, your body naturally loses muscle at a faster rate—a process called sarcopenia. The best way to fight back is to prioritize protein. Aim for 25–30 grams at each meal, and try to spread it evenly throughout your day. Think eggs for breakfast, salmon or chicken at lunch, and beans, lentils, or tofu at dinner. This not only supports muscle but also helps regulate appetite, energy, and even blood sugar. Pairing protein with strength training makes the benefits even greater.

2. Lift Heavy (For You)

Strength training is the most powerful tool you have in midlife. It protects bone density, improves posture, keeps joints healthy, and even boosts metabolism. You don’t have to lift like a bodybuilder—just challenge your muscles with resistance 2–3 times a week. That might mean squats with dumbbells, push-ups, resistance band rows, or Pilates reformer sessions. The key is progressive overload: adding weight, reps, or resistance over time so your body continues to adapt and grow stronger.

3. Mix Up Your Cardio

Cardio is still important, but the way you do it matters. Long, steady sessions can sometimes leave you feeling drained, especially when hormones are shifting. Instead, try mixing moderate-intensity activities (like brisk walking, cycling, or swimming) with short bursts of higher intensity (like hill sprints or intervals). Research shows this combination supports heart health, preserves brain function, and helps manage weight—without overstressing your system. And the best part? You don’t need long sessions—20–30 minutes is often plenty.

4. Keep Blood Sugar Steady

Shifting hormones can make your body more sensitive to blood sugar swings, which show up as fatigue, irritability, and even more intense hot flashes. Build meals around protein and fiber, then add healthy fats like avocado, nuts, or olive oil. Limit refined carbs and added sugars, but don’t cut out carbs altogether—your body needs them for energy and recovery. Instead, choose complex carbs like quinoa, oats, sweet potatoes, or berries that digest slowly and keep you steady. Even small shifts, like pairing fruit with nuts, can make a big difference.

5. Love Your Gut (and Fiber)

Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria that influence everything from mood to hormone balance. Fiber feeds the good bacteria while also supporting digestion and heart health. Women in midlife should aim for 25–30 grams of fiber daily. The best sources of fiber come from fruits, vegetables and whole grains including leafy greens, beans, chia seeds, apples, brussel spouts, sweet potatoes and raspberries. A diverse, fiber-rich diet also helps regulate estrogen metabolism, which can smooth out symptoms like bloating and mood swings. Probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, or sauerkraut can give your gut an extra boost, too.

6. Protect Your Sleep

Sleep is often one of the first things to get disrupted in perimenopause, thanks to night sweats, racing thoughts, or shifting hormones. But quality sleep is crucial for hormone regulation, memory, and recovery. Create a calming wind-down routine—stretch, meditate, or read before bed. Keep your room cool and dark, avoid alcohol close to bedtime, and if possible, get outside in natural light during the morning. Strength training and cardio also support deeper sleep, but keep intense workouts earlier in the day. If sleep continues to be elusive, consider magnesium supplementation or gentle nighttime yoga.

7. Hydrate & Replenish

Estrogen plays a role in fluid balance, so hydration needs to shift during this stage of life. Aim for regular water intake throughout the day, and consider adding electrolytes if you sweat heavily or exercise often. Minerals like magnesium, calcium, and vitamin D are especially important now—magnesium supports sleep and mood, calcium and vitamin D protect bones, and together they all help keep muscles and nerves functioning properly. Food sources are great (leafy greens, nuts, dairy, fortified foods), but supplements can help fill the gaps if needed. Even small steps, like starting your day with water and a pinch of sea salt, can make a difference.

This is a New Beginning, Not the End

It’s easy to feel like midlife means slowing down, but that’s far from the truth. With the right tools, this season can be a time of strength, clarity, and self-discovery.

That’s why we’re so excited to invite you to our upcoming Women’s Wellness Workshop: Navigating Perimenopause, hosted by Awake Pelvic Health and Flostate Fitness.

Saturday, September 27th
9:30 – 11:30 am
700 Commerce Drive #130, Woodbury, MN 55125
$79 per person or $120 for two tickets
Click here to purchase workshop tickets

What to Expect:

  • LEARN: Dr. Hannah Strom will bring clarity on perimenopause—covering hormones, pelvic floor, bone health, sleep, mood, and lifestyle tips. Dietitian Rachel will share how nutrition can support your hormones, gut, energy, and long-term health.
  • MOVE: A 60-minute yoga practice with Alice, blending pelvic floor-friendly movement, breathwork, and strength, followed by journaling and reflection.
  • CONNECT: Time to share snacks and conversation with women who get it—leaving you refreshed, understood, and empowered.

Space is limited to 12 participants, so reserve your spot today! If tickets are sold out, email us at info@theflostate.com to join the waitlist.

Pickleballers Need Yoga — Here’s Why

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Pickleball is fast-paced, fun, and surprisingly demanding on your body. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a daily doubles regular, the quick stops, starts, pivots, and overhead smashes can leave you feeling stiff—or worse, sidelined with an injury.

That’s where yoga comes in. Try this FREE 20 minute class – just for pickleballers!

Strong + Mobile Joints = Fewer Injuries

Pickleball puts a ton of stress on the knees, ankles, hips, shoulders, and wrists. Yoga strengthens the stabilizing muscles around those joints and improves your range of motion. That means:

  • Fewer rolled ankles and tweaked knees
  • Less shoulder strain on overhead shots
  • More resilient, balanced movement all around

Think of yoga as your insurance policy—and your performance enhancer.

Yoga + Agility: A Winning Combo

The secret to faster footwork and better court coverage? Agility. And it starts with body awareness. Yoga builds:

  • Core strength, to help you pivot and lunge without overloading your joints
  • Single-leg balance, for stability during quick directional changes
  • Breath control, to recover quickly between points and stay calm under pressure

BONUS: Reaction Time Boost

Flow-style yoga enhances your neuromuscular connection—the communication between your brain and muscles. With regular practice, your body gets quicker at responding to unpredictable bounces and fast volleys. You’re not just moving more gracefully—you’re reacting faster.

3 Yoga Tips for Pickleball Agility & Recovery

  1. Try dynamic flows like Warrior 2 to Side Angle to Reverse Warrior to train movement control and hip mobility.
  2. Add balance work like Tree Pose or standing figure 4s after a workout to stabilize the ankles and knees.
  3. Use deep stretches (think Pigeon or Reclined Twist) after play to aid recovery and reduce soreness.

Ready to Serve Up a Smarter Game?

Yoga isn’t just for flexibility—it’s functional training for the court. Whether you’re looking to up your game or just feel better between matches, a little yoga goes a long way.

Join us for a livestream, on demand or in-person yoga class this week—we’d love to help you feel strong, limber, and ready to rally.👉 Explore Our Yoga Classes

Try this FREE 20 minute class on YouTube – just for pickleballers!

4 Yoga Poses to Improve Shoulder Mobility using Blocks

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Unlock strength, ease, and freedom in your upper body

Tight shoulders can sneak into our lives from all angles—long hours at a desk, heavy lifting, stress, or even poor posture. The result? Discomfort, limited range of motion, and tension that can ripple into the neck and back.

Fortunately, your yoga mat offers more than just a reset—it’s a place to rebuild mobility and restore ease. These four poses, each enhanced with yoga blocks, are designed to open the chest, create space in the shoulder joints, and gently stretch surrounding muscle groups.

Let’s break them down.

Fish Pose (Supported Matsyasana)

Opens the chest, shoulders, and throat

Using blocks under your upper back and head, supported fish pose is a powerful heart opener that gently draws the shoulders back and down. It reverses the effects of forward hunching (hello, laptops and phones) and promotes better posture by creating space across the collarbones.

How to do it:

  • Place one block at medium or low height under your upper back (right below your shoulder blades).
  • Place a second block (lower height) under your head.
  • Allow your arms to rest out wide, palms facing up.
  • Breathe deeply and soften into the support.

Pro tip: If you feel compression in your lower back, adjust the height of the block under your spine or bend your knees.

Thread the Needle (with Block Support)

Releases tension in the upper back, shoulders, and neck

This gentle twist targets the posterior shoulder (especially the rotator cuff and rhomboids), encouraging both flexibility and circulation. Using a block supports your head or arm, allowing the pose to be more restorative and less about force.

How to do it:

  • Begin in tabletop.
  • Slide your right arm underneath your left, palm facing up, resting your right shoulder and ear on a block for support.
  • Reach your left arm forward or wrap it behind your back.
  • Hold and breathe, then switch sides.

Pro tip: Focus on relaxing the muscles between your shoulder blades and letting gravity assist the stretch.

Camel Pose (Ustrasana) with Blocks

Opens the chest, shoulders, and hip flexors

Camel pose is a deep heart opener—but it can feel intense without proper support. Adding blocks brings the ground closer to you, offering stability and encouraging safer alignment while you work into shoulder extension.

How to do it:

  • Come to a kneeling position.
  • Place two blocks behind you at your ankles (choose a height that’s reachable).
  • Place your hands on the blocks as you lift your chest and press your hips forward.
  • Draw your shoulder blades together as you gently lean back.

Pro tip: Keep your chin tucked slightly if your neck feels strained, or lift the gaze if your spine allows it.

Extended Child’s Pose (Supported Balasana)

Lengthens the spine and stretches the shoulders

When held with intention, extended child’s pose becomes a beautiful shoulder opener. Adding blocks under the forearms allows the arms to elevate slightly, intensifying the stretch through the armpits and upper back while encouraging the chest to melt down.

How to do it:

  • Start in a kneeling position with big toes touching, knees wide.
  • Place your forearms on blocks as you extend your arms forward.
  • Let your chest soften toward the mat.
  • Breathe slowly, relaxing your shoulders away from your ears.

Pro tip: Add a folded blanket under your hips or chest if you want extra support or need to modify the depth of the pose.

Why Shoulder Mobility Matters

Strong and mobile shoulders are essential for almost everything—lifting, reaching, even breathing more efficiently. But it’s not just about flexibility; it’s about creating functional range of motion supported by breath, control, and awareness.

Yoga blocks are your allies here. They help you customize depth, reduce strain, and access postures in a way that serves your unique body—making each pose more sustainable and effective.

Questions? Email us at info@theflostate.com

Why It’s Fun to Do a Road Race (Even If You Don’t Feel Ready)

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You’ve seen the race flyers. Maybe you’ve even clicked through to the event page once or twice. You’re tempted to sign up—but then that little voice pipes up:

“I’m not in shape. I haven’t trained. I don’t want to be the last one out there.”

Here’s the truth: You don’t have to feel ready to have an amazing time at a road race. In fact, some of the most fun, inspiring, and unforgettable race day moments happen for the people who just show up anyway.

Whether you walk, jog, run, or do a little bit of everything—racing is about more than the finish line. It’s about connection, energy, and stepping out of your comfort zone in the best possible way.

Here’s why it’s worth it—even if you don’t feel “race ready”:

1. The Energy is Electric

There’s something special about being surrounded by people moving toward the same goal. Music is pumping, volunteers are cheering, high-fives are flying—it’s hard not to catch the buzz. Whether you’re there with friends or flying solo, the energy of race day is uplifting and contagious.

2. You Don’t Have to Race to Participate

This isn’t about beating a clock or proving anything. Many people walk the entire 5K. Some stop for selfies. Some show up in costumes! The beauty of races like the Live Brave 5K is that they welcome everyone. You set your pace. You run your race.

3. You Might Surprise Yourself

One of the most empowering moments is realizing you’re doing something you once doubted. Whether it’s your first mile or your 500th, finishing a race (even slowly) feels so good. That finish line moment? Instant confidence boost. Bonus: it also makes for a great photo.

4. It’s Fun With Friends (or Friendly Strangers)

Bring your bestie, your neighbor, your coworkers, or come solo and soak in the camaraderie. Road races are filled with strangers who feel like teammates. You’ll laugh, encourage each other, and maybe even make a new friend.

5. You’ll Walk Away With Swag—and a Story

T-shirts, medals, team gear…sure, those are fun. But what you really walk away with is a sense of pride and the story that you showed up. That you did something bold and brave (even when you weren’t sure you could). That’s worth celebrating.

So… Should You Sign Up?

If you’ve been on the fence about registering for a race—take this as your sign. You don’t need to train for weeks. You don’t need to be fast. You don’t even need to run. All you need is the courage to show up and enjoy the ride.

And hey, if you’re looking for a supportive, high-energy, purpose-driven event to start with… we happen to know a good one. 😉

👉 Join us for the Live Brave 5K and 1 Mile on August 9th and participate with the Flostate Team! Live Brave benefits eating disorder awareness, prevention and recovery initiatives and was founded by Flostate Co-Owner, Alice Halvorson.

Register here. Select “yes” to join a team and choose “Flostate Fitness” from the dropdown list of teams.

Because showing up as you are is more than enough. And once you cross that finish line—you’ll be so glad you did.

Join us on Social Media!

The Flostate | PO Box 251155, Woodbury, MN 55125 | info@theflostate.com | 651-412-1778