As our lives get busier and busier and more and more stressful, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to carry out even just our daily responsibilities, let alone making our hopes and dreams a reality. We just don’t have the ENERGY to get it all done.
I enjoy many different types of exercise and being active in nature, but I also really appreciate finding something that is able to make the best possible use of my time and energy, and that’s why I’m so hyped about the Maxi Climber.
Spring is here and it is time to start thinking about “Spring Cleaning” of our bodies and mind so that we can shed the toxins we accumulated in Winter and become our most brilliant and healthy self. That is why I am so excited to share with you my upcoming ALL-INCLUSIVE 3-day, 2 night weekend “Spring Cleaning” retreat happening at the Deer Lake Lodge on April 26th – 28th. This very special 3-day retreat was designed with my clinic patients and online community in mind will be an exceptional opportunity to jump start your brilliance.
During this special “you” weekend, you will learn to tap into your inner strength and be brilliant so you can achieve your life goals and passions by improving your nutrition and lifestyle. My goal for the weekend is to provide specific, practical and easy-to-apply suggestions, which can improve your ability to reach your optimal potential in physical and mental health.
The Deer Lake Lodge is a unique wellness resort which specializes in cleanses and detoxification in a natural, sustainable setting. Their holistic approach addresses your mind, body and spirit. The Deer Lake Lodge is simply amazing in all that they offer their guests in complimentary classes, products, use of their equipment and so much more! Here is only a partial list of the many amenities that you will receive during your stay: daily cleanse program, organic robe and slippers, himalayan rock salt, organic juices, specialty teas for cleanses, supplements, yoga classes, nutrition and raw food classes.
During this 3 day, all about you weekend, you will learn:
- About food allergies and how they contribute to inflammation; disease, and obesity;
- Why sleep can be your best medicine and how to get more!;
- How to recalibrate your “Bio-Rhythms of Life” to increase energy, vitality, lose weight and increase lifespan;
- 7 foods to eat for energy, mental clarity and weight management;
- How to prevent the three most common physical complaints of America- fatigue, indigestion, headache;
- Why time management is key to your health and success.
And much more!
This amazing three day experience will help you revitalize your energy, stimulate your mind, bring out your brilliance and set you on a path for optimal health and personal success.
Click here to find out more now and to reserve your space. If you register before March 31st, you will save $500. Also, if you choose to come in early you can do so for just $200.
I would love to see you there! Step into your brilliance and sign up today for a weekend all about you that will cleanse your mind, body and spirit so that you can be your most brilliant self.
Looking for a great new workout without the hassle of an expensive gym or confusing exercise videos? Get outside and join the crowd at the stairs in Santa Monica. This great local spot is dripping with workout fanatics who enjoy a good sweat just as much as you.
The stairs are located at 4th street and Adelaide Dr., but I am sure any of the locals could point you in the right direction. The Santa Monica stairs offer you a great workout without any strings attached. They are steep and long and will guarantee you the same workout as one of those fancy machines at the gym. In fact, getting a workout outdoors in the fresh air makes your body work harder, improving your lung strength, and getting you into great shape that lasts.
The stairs in Santa Monica are also a great place to meet new people and get involved in other local fitness hotspots. When you go, I recommend drinking water at least 30 minutes prior to the workout and of course sipping water during your routine as well. I always like bringing a little snack when I’m finished too, like a granola bar or a small bag of trail mix. Whatever you prefer!
So meet up with a friend and test your endurance. It’s free and available when you’re looking for that next challenge, without any strain on your wallet!
Skip that pricey gym membership and drop the heavy equipment. It is time to rev up your fitness routine with a portable and cheap cardio workout that just so happens to be an old childhood favorite: jumping rope.
Jumping rope is not an activity relegated to playgrounds alone. Professional boxers swear by the benefits of jump rope or as they like to call it, “rope-jumping”. Jump rope is more than just your average hop, skip and a jump routine. The benefits range from improving your coordination, agility, cardio vascular system, footwork and endurance.
It is important when first learning how to jump rope to take your time and not to push yourself too hard when you are just starting out. Although it may look deceptively simple, it actually takes a lot of skill and practice. I recommend starting with intervals. Start off by jumping for 20 seconds at a time with a 10 second rest period. Repeat this procedure three times, and you can effectively build up to your goal instead of trying to attack it the first time around.
Also, choose your jumping space wisely. Make sure you have a clear area of about 7-10 feet in each direction, to ensure that you don’t whip anything in the vicinity. Also, do not jump rope indoors unless you have an exercise mat to jump on. Jumping on the carpet causes drag in your rope and you may trip because your shoes won’t grip properly. The best place to jump would be on a track, tennis court or hardwood floor, any place that will absorb the shock of the jump and put less strain on your joints.
In my opinion, the worst places to jump are concrete and grass. The concrete is way too hard on your joints and in grass you will most likely get your rope caught and whip yourself. Also, try not to jump barefoot. Wear shoes that will support and protect your feet. I would recommend a good pair of cross trainers for the job!
I have been training with the jump rope for a while now and I am starting to see great results. Jump rope has not only helped to sculpt my legs and my backside but also my arms and my midsection. It really is one of the most beneficial and cost efficient workouts out there. This routine is perfect for the upcoming season. You can get a great workout indoors and take it with you on vacation without that extra weight in your bag!
References:
http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/fitness/exercises/3-benefits-of-jump-rope-fitness.html
http://www.rossboxing.com/thegym/thegym26.htm
champuru.net
Discover a great new way to walk around town or boost your next hike with Nordic walking. Using these great Nordic walking poles is a great way to increase your heart rate during a low impact workout. The typical walker will use about 70% of their muscles, while a Nordic walker will use up to 90% of their muscles and burn up to 40% more calories!
What started out as a way for cross country skiers to workout year round, these walking poles have taken on a life of their own. Discovered and honed by fitness guru Bern Zimmermann, Nordic walking has become a fast favorite all across Europe. Thanks to its many benefits and easy technique, Zimmermann has even founded the American Nordic Walking Association (ANWA) to help people ease back into healthy living.
The poles are uniquely designed to help you increase stride, length, and speed. Using the poles during your walk helps with posture and to relieve tension from problem areas across the body, like in your shins, hips, knees and back.
Try using the poles the next time you and a few pals get together for a good, long hike. A great way to boost regular fitness workouts, Nordic walking is a relatively simple way to add some fun to the same old trails!
References:
http://walking.about.com/cs/poles/a/nordicwalking.htm
http://www.nordicwalkingonline.com/
antigravityyoga.com
Think yoga was only meant for the floor? Have you found yourself wishing there were other more dynamic ways of practicing yoga? Thanks to people like Christopher Harrison, founder of AntiGravity, Inc., we can now all enjoy yoga while suspended in mid-air.
Harrison’s mission is to create a “lighter existence” and in so doing developed a program dedicated to “suspension training” or aerial yoga. Aerial yoga was designed as a bridge between fitness workouts. You get the core workout and alignment of yoga but also a great low impact cardio workout. Aerial yoga aligns your body and decompresses your joints. It is great for dancers and athletes looking for new strength training exercises or as a way to stretch and heal the body from intense fitness schedules.
The silk hammock, often seen in aerial shows, lets you feel the weight of your body and use it to become fully aware of every muscle working. You gain a better understanding of your body and create a stable, strong system for everyday obstacles. The continuous movement and deep breathing “stimulates the release of neurotransmitters from the brain,” specifically serotonin. The
release of serotonin helps to alleviate pain and create that ‘happy’ feeling while pushing your body to new extremes.
The tranquil feeling that follows works to increase joint mobility and hydrate the vertebral discs in your spine. Not only will aerial yoga help with core strengthening, balance and flexibility but it will also release tension from your body and mind. If you are a yogi, I would definitely suggest trying it—take your regular yoga to new heights!
infobarrel.com
Beach season is upon us! Have you prepared for it? Let’s face it, working out is hard and getting those perfect summer abs can be kind of intimidating and difficult at times, especially with all of the work and effort that is required. That is why I want to introduce you to a very simple and effective way to strengthen your core without having to do it the old fashioned way.
A great way to tighten those lower abs is with a simple routine I like to call reverse curls. The first step to great abs is of course a core workout. For this exercise there is no equipment needed and can be done right in your own home.
- Lie on your back with your arms to your side. A yoga mat is great for cushioning.
- Keeping your feet together, bring your knees to your chest. Make sure to not bring up your entire upper half. Keep your shoulders on the ground and focus on your core.
- Make sure that when you are bringing in your knees that your hips are following. Do not use any momentum to bring your knees up and down. These repetitions should be completed slowly and will get easier with time.
- When lowering and straightening your legs do not drop them and lose that core engagement. Keep your heels about an inch or two off the ground for a few seconds before you start again.
- Repeat 20 times. (Or until you feel the burn.)
Reverse curls are great because they are not done in your standard sit-up or crunch position. They are easier on your neck, and still work out that stubborn mid-section!
References:
http://www.fitsugar.com/Work-Your-Abs-without-doing-single-crunch-Reverse-Curls-68945
ocegoscueblog.wordpress.com
Pain relief is something we all want, and most of the time it can only be achieved through over-the-counter medication or prescription drugs. Chronic pain that stems from trauma or from years of poor muscle alignment can get even more complex, as it not only requires pain medications, but weeks or sometimes years of physical therapy to recover from. As of today you are probably not aware that the cure for this type of pain is within reach. First and foremost, it lies within yourself—the body is wonderful at self-healing—but it can also be helped with a little guidance from a method called Egosque.
Since 1978, veteran marine Pete Egoscue has sought pain relief for himself and for probably thousands of others through his unique therapy method. Rather than using conventional methods to determine a symptom of pain, the Egoscue method uses a more “common sense” approach. Instead of treating the symptom itself, Egoscue involves a more overarching assessment of the body, meaning they see the area of pain as an individual’s dysfunction in another part of the body. For instance, poor posture can cause cause a number of physiological problems that appear as pain in different parts of the body. The Egoscue method, in this case, wouldn’t treat those individual pains, but conduct thorough, highly personalized tests based on each individual’s core design, without the use of equipment or “hands-on” therapy, to get at the root of the problem.
Naturally I am a big fan of using non-conventional ways of healing to relieve pain. What I like about this method is that it is highly personalized, and the responsibility of alleviating discomfort falls on the individual. This approach increases confidence and decreases dependency on other people, something that is not always possible, especially when recovering from trauma or surgery. Because over-the-counter medication and other quick fixes for pain have been known to do more harm than good for your body in the long run, the Egoscue Method is one pain reliever I can actually stand behind!
References:
healthtipsinformation.com
It is a well known fact that most of us do not get enough exercise in. Especially during the week with work, family, and other priorities. After a long day at the office, the last thing we want to do is go home and change into our work out clothes. We can however, utilize some of our time spent at the office to burn a few extra calories here and there, even when we are sitting in our comfortable office chairs.
Chair exercises, if done often enough, can help with your balance, strengthen your abdomen, tone your body and keep your blood moving during the long work day. There are simple chair exercises you can in your office or cube that do not involve too much grunt work. Your office mates might look at you a little funny, but research has shown how important it is for people who sit for long periods of time to get take frequent breaks to move around. In fact a recent article in Fox News stated that “women who stay inactive at a desk for more than six hours a day are 40 percent more likely to die of heart disease or cancer.” If that does not get us up and moving, I do not know what will!
For your abdomen, a great exercise is to hold a water bottle in line with your chest, twist slowly to the left as far as you can, back to the center, then to the right again for a total of ten reps, keeping your knees and hips forward. These are called ab twists, and they are easily done in any office chair.
To work out your upper body, you can simply do a few bicep curls with the water bottle, keeping your abs in and your back straight. Curl 16 reps per arm and you will definitely start to feel the burn!
You can also get a really good quadricep burn by lifting yourself up slightly from a sitting position to a squatting position, so your legs are still parallel to the chair. Hold for 2 or 3 seconds and stand, and repeat the movement for 10 to 16 reps.
These exercises may seem a little silly at first, but for the busy, 9 to 5 worker, you would be surprised how beneficial they can be for your health!
References:
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/07/12/new-guidelines-encourage-office-fitness/
http://exercise.about.com/cs/exerciseworkouts/l/blofficeworkout.htm
