SUNRISE YOGA @ THE BEACH
Sun. May 17 at 8:00am.
***Cost is only $15. Includes refreshments.
Please RSVP by calling the studio:
818.830.1612

The 12 week fitness bootcamp/total body nutrition class is, sadly, coming to an end. Our last class is on Tuesday. We are getting measured, weighed in and then heading out to a local salsa club to celebrate the ending and get our salsa dance on! We have our last field trip today.

Our hike is going to be focused on trying to beat our time that we had last hike. Here’s hoping to being stronger/faster/healthier!

Salud!

When I first saw ‘Pilates’ on the gym schedule, I thought it was pronounced ‘pie-lates’ but it’s not. It’s pronounced ‘pee-lah-tays’ just an fyi for those of you who are in the same boat I was. Ok onto my review:

I have a long relationship with Pilates. I’ve seen close and personal friends of mine transform their entire body with a strong comittment to Pilates, and so I have also decided to slowly incorporate the sessions into my life. When my BFF gave me her Windsor Pilates dvd set, I instantly fell in love with the 20 minute workout, which is what I used for the first few months. As I gained familiarity with the titles of movements, I realized a few things about myself. I have absolutely NO core strength, and if this was the case, then how was I ever going to actually go to a class and participate when I can’t even keep up with a video??

Three years later, I finally attended my first 2 Pilates class, and with two completely different structures. I have found that Windsor pilates is probably the best format of all three, instruction and pace wise. The Pilates class at the gym is more like a power-pilates-get-your-ass-in-gear-do-it-like-i-say-or-your-ass-is-grass format, while the pilates class at BodyWorks Studio is calm, relaxing, challenging, yet zen, but not much instruction on the moves.

Either way, I still think that Winsor Pilates is the best of the best, and am so glad that I have it in my life

Wooot!! We are going on a field trip this saturday for a Bodyworks hike early in the morning! I haven’t been hiking since I was a kid, and I’m really looking forward to it. Do I just wear some sneakers?? I’m not even knowing. I will be sure to post photos & blog about it afterward. What a fun way to get the girls together and do something fun, different and healthy!!

This weekend was pretty hectic. I got a new puppy, and unfortunately my family isn’t being very supportive of my new family member. Thank goodness that I live with OJ who is just fabulous and accepting of my doggy family. My parents on the other hand, have made me give away my past puppy (my chow-chow named Zeus) and have made it clear that the new puppy Obi is NOT welcome at their home. It caused a bit of a trife, but for now, thats TMI, so I will leave it at just having had a hectic puppy-weekend.

In the midst of all the familial dramz, I was able to get in a few quiet moments to check out some cool sites online that I’d like to share with you, as well as some info that I learned at Trina’s Total Body Makeover last week that was a surprise to me, and I am sure will be to you too.

In the quest for going green and saving our planet one tiny bit at time while being and staying fabulous:
EcoStiletto: The secret to smart & sexy green living

Sustainable Cotton Project
In 2007 there were 2 organic cotton farmers growing 240 acres, reducing• chemicals by a little over 500 pounds

Finally, a big thanks to Trina from BodyWorks Studio for making me aware that you shouldn’t ever microwave food in plastic containers, OR freeze food in plastic containers because when you either heat or freeze plastic, the chemicals that were used in forming the shape are released and absorbed into your food. Did you know that?? I totally didn’t!!!

Yay – Trina has finally gotten the hang of blogging! Now you all can read the latest and greatest on what is going on over at the fitness & dance studio, and even rss import it to your own blog or reader. Thanks, Trina!

BodyWorks Studio in Northridge, CA: Pilates & Yoga: Experience a mind body connection through Pilates & Yoga taught by Gretha Louis Monday at 8:00pm. Strengthen, stretch & stabilize key muscles through proper alignment, centering, concentration, control, breathing & flowing movement.

Trina never mentioned what an amazing cook she is! Today I ate the food plan that she cooked up, and I’ve got to say the stuff was YUMMO times 3! I did ask her what I should do if I do get hungry, because I was a bit nervous about my transition to real food again, and she told us that we should be eating every 3-4 hours, and how many times have we heard that? A gazillion. That doesn’t necessarily mean that we DO it though.

Anyway, she broke it down for us in an analogy that worked best for me: eat like you would take cold medicine. I don’t know about you, but I am a super neurotic about taking my meds ON TIME, before the next symptom or ailment has a chance to kick in. And so I ate, before I got hungry…and looked at it like I was taking meds. I.E. “Girl you better eat this orange right now because if you don’t you are gonna be asked out” and guess what? I didn’t get hungry today at all!

I did however, notice that twice during the day I had to make conscious efforts to not eat out of emotional habit. For example, after I got home from work, I got some bad news regarding a new puppy that I have been expecting. My initial reaction (after crying) was to eat. I totally new that it was an emotional reaction, and so instead, I talked, cried and basically hung out with my BFF OJ in attempts to deal with the emotional issue, and didn’t eat. The next time, was right after my Bellydance class workout at LA Fitness. I instead, drank some water and made some hot tea. I found that I really wasn’t hungry, I was merely interested in eating to kind of ‘calm down’ from being excited from working out, and ended up putting on some bellydance music on my stereo and did about 30 minutes of drills, which calmed me down and maybe even enhanced my shimmy LOL.

So yea, there you go…day one with the food program. And I’m loving it. Check out Trina’s website and youtube channel to get more information on her programs.

Ok, so today was my 2nd tuesday of Trina’s 12 week fitness & weight loss program. In the event that I didn’t mention that I was starting this program on this particular blog (I know I blogged about it, I just don’t know where at the moment…) Trina from Bodyworks Studio is heading up a full on comprehensive 12 week total fitness and weight loss program at her studio. Last week, we hit the cardio circuit super hard. We measured and weighed in, and I bought a gentle cleansing suppliment pack. The next day, I could barely move my legs. The tea and pills seem to be doing their job, and today I also got some probiotic powder mix.

Our workout is super fun. It kind of has old school cheerleading camp type of workout to it, very girl-friend Sex and the City type of vibe, and is just all around fun and super positive! Joining the ladies over at Bodyworks has been a major change in my life, and I’m welcoming all of the benefits of surrounding myself with like minded women who are in it to win it. Don’t get me wrong, I dig the gym…but sometimes it’s kind of hard to get that intimate type personalized group committment because of the huge size of the classes & constant traffic going on – especially at the beginning of the year.

Anyway, this week, we got some pre-measured and packaged yummy food for one full day of eating in portion and nutrition, and we also got some information on body cleansing. We might be doing a group – type 1 day Master Cleanse next week – I will be sure to post about it, because I kind of think I will be going bananas while on that one day…

Ok, my mind is pretty frazzled at the moment, so for now I’m going to sign off. More tomorrow on different specific topics, plus I will post some photos of the food plan. Oh and did I mention I finally, FINALLY quit Jenny Craig?? To make a long story short, it just stopped working for me. I don’t know why, but I’m thinking that maybe my body just built up resistance or something…but it did work for a while, and then it just stopped working. I’ll have to write a conclusion entry on that, as it’s definitely part of my past, and not in the plan for 09.

Let’s go rock it!!

Ok people – here is a quick little clip showing you how fun Zumba class is. Trina from BodyWorks Studio and Fitness center is a great, fun teacher and she makes the class feel like a party rather than a workout! I hear alot of people saying that they want to try it, but are intimidated because they feel that they aren’t coordinated enough, but you will see that it’s much more fun than it is competative because the main idea is to move to the music any way you can

JANUARY 22: Unleash your inner goddess…try my 8wk Private/Intensive Belly Dance Series at BodyWorks (my studio) starting next Thursday, Jan. 22nd from 8pm-9pm. The series will go for 8wks covering technique and choreography in an intimate setting.

The cost is only $88 plus a small registration fee for new students ($25). Space is limited. To secure your spot, RSVP contact BodyWorks Studio or by mailing your FULL NAME, CONTACT INFO & PAYMENT TO: “BodyWorks”. See address below.

BodyWorks Fitness & Performing Arts
10207 Sepulveda Blvd. Mission Hills CA 91345

Phone: 818-830-1612
www.BodyWorksStudioInfo.com

Bodyworks Studio is hosting their 4th annual Dance Marathon & Shoe Drive Benefit! It all goes down Saturday November 22 from 1pm to 4pm at the Granada Hills Recreational Center 16730 Chatsworth St. in Granada Hills, CA 91344.

There’s a group of die hard dancers who are going to be dancing for 3 hours straight. Feature bellydance performance by my fellow classmates in full costume, guest instructors who are going to be teaching 30 minute class sessions in Zumba, Bellydance, World Beat, Wayback Workout, Pilates, Yoga, Hip Hop, and Hi/Lo Latin Fusion. Prizes awarded to top participants, refreshments and lots of fun for a good cause!

Advance tickets are $15 with a pair of shoes at the door, $20 with no shoes. Shoes should be either new or in good used condition & will be donated to the Shoes for Africa campaign drive hosted by BodyWorksStudioinfo.com

For more information on ticket information or sponsorship opportunities contact Trina 818.830.1612 or email youcanshine@aol.com

What a fabulous event this is going to be – and get this: It’s TOTALLY FREE! Plus, some of the ladies from my bellydance class are going to be performing around 12:30 and 1.

Saturday October 18, 2008 from 10 am to 2 pm the 2nd Annual Family Resource Fair is taking place in Pacoima. Seriously, if you are one of our citizens who does not have health insurance, this is THE place for you. Here’s a list of the free services that you can get:

Immunizations (bring your yellow card to get updated)
Blood Pressure Screening
Asthma Screening
Mammography exams ( call to pre-register 818.504.3911 & get a time slot)
Dental Screenings
Child Fingerprinting
Cholesterol Testing
Diabetes Screening & Testing
Asthma Screening
Child Car Seat Inspections (Free seats to those who need them)
Emergency Preparedness Kits
Bicycle Helmets & Training
Energy Rebate and Incentive Info (this means $$ back or off your bills sometimes!)

Be sure to bring your family and get your preventative care on this season – you’ve got to be pro-active in getting and staying well!
Click here for more info & maps/directions to the event. Please spread the word.

Saturday, October 18, 2008
10 a.m. | 2 p.m.
Branford Park
13306 Branford St.
Pacoima, CA 91331