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I’m excited to partner with Athleta in Hoboken to teach a donation based class for the Liberty Humane Society. There’s nothing better than being able to combine my love for teaching yoga with my passion for helping animals. The class will be Sunday, March 10th at 10am at the Athleta store on Washington St. As a bonus, Athleta will be having a Friends & Family sale! Suggested class donation is $15. Hope to see you there!
Earlier this month, I shot a yoga series at the New York Public Library in Bryant Park as part of a new project showcasing my journey through life. I feel most alive when I’m practicing yoga and when I’m surrounded by places of inspiration. When there’s beautiful architecture and light, the yoga flows naturally and images speak volumes. Here are a few out takes from my first shoot. The entire series will be released slowly on my Instagram page with more context. I hope you enjoy it.
Dancing is the best aerobic exercise you can do, because you’re using flexibility, strength, memory and it helps to reduce stress. I took NBC’s Joelle Gargulio to two NYC dance fitness studios to bust a move. Check out the segment here!
When looking at all of the trend predictions for the new year and analyzing the products that come across my desk and emails that that flood my inbox, I honed in on trends that I personally think will explode. Here are the top five wellness trends to get excited for this year.
Postpartum, I wanted nothing more than to lose the baby weight I gained since my new body was a horrible reminder of our tragedy (see post). I aggressively started taking SoulCycle classes just two weeks after I gave birth in hopes it will help me get back to my normal weight and it did, however, I learned that cardio like spinning and running only allows your body to burn calories during the exercise where as strength training on the other hand, keeps your body burning calories at a higher rate for hours post exercise. I spoke with my personal trainer and CEO of M.O.V.E FIT NJ, Jarrett Hahn for the 411.
As someone who's always been into keeping fit, I felt confident in my strong, healthy body for a long time, but now being postpartum, nothing is the same and my body now acts as a reminder of my tragedy. I'm determined to not only get my body back, but to become leaner and stronger than I ever was before. Here's where I am today... starting a new kind of wellness journey.
Back when I was 20 weeks pregnant, I had to supply The Bar Method Hoboken with a doctors note stating that I was able to keep up the work out. I didn't announce the news publicly yet and was still able to hide my little bump, but according to studio rules, I needed to start modifying certain exercises. I wasn't ready for that!
Whether you’re looking for a new water bottle for the gym, to take to work or you just want to help ensure you’re drinking enough water per day, using a reusable water bottle is environmentally friendly. These are three of our favorites that'll keep you in style.
I'm excited to share that I partnered with Nature Made as their Spokesperson for their Healthy Together campaign! As a Certified Wellness Coach and content creator, I couldn't be more excited! Read on to learn more about the partnership and watch my first video featuring at energizing yoga sequence.
When I first moved from the city to Hoboken a little over four years ago, I was convinced that I was going to hate it. A typical New York attitude. Today, I can't express how much I absolutely love this little city and am so proud to call it home. Of course, I did my fair share of exploring and testing out all of the beauty and wellness offerings the town has to offer. While I still go to NYC for many of my services (see my round up of the best salons and spas in NYC here), I found some real talent in Hoboken. Here's my edit of the best of beauty and wellness in Hoboken.
While we may not be getting Spring weather in NYC any time soon, the season is upon us, which means that soon enough, we'll be frolicking around sans tights. I spoke to the owners of The Bar Method Hoboken to find out how to quickly get your legs in shape. Here are exercises for your calves, inner thighs and hamstrings. I do the calf raises as I brush my teeth.
If you follow me on Instagram, then you've noticed in my stories that I recently got into SoulCycle. I know, I know, it took me a while! I used to dread spin class, but once bit by the bug, I shortly became addicted. How much fun is dancing on a bike? Who knew! As a cardio compliment to my regular barre and yoga classes, it's now part of my fitness regimen. Of course, I love how inspirational and motivational the instructors are during class. Here are the top five lessons I learned at Soul so far... Enjoy!
Throughout the past few years, I've been incorporating massages into my self-care routine as often as possible. Working out about six times per week, I find them necessary to help break up Knots and give my muscles some tlc. Barre classes often make me feel tight and crunchy and SoulCycle's been rough on my hip flexors. Like a good yoga class, a deep tissue massage also helps to relieve stress and make me feel a bit lighter on my feet. In honor of Global Massage Makes Me Happy Day coming up on March 20th, spoke with Lynda Solien-Wolfe the Vice President of Massage & Spa at Performance Health to make a case for monthly massages.
Good news! More and more beauty brands are creating products for active women like us. Here are some of our favorite products to use before, during and after a workout.
Sculpting abs is hard enough as it is, but sculpting your lower abs is by far the most challenging. I was first introduced to this exercise, leg up taps, years ago in pilates and when the Bar Method started including it in their workout I was pumped. It targets your transverse abdominals and is extremely efficient.
Whether it's beating the 4 o'clock slump or just trying to wake up, I'm sure you can use an energy boost at some point during your day, Believe it or not, I don't drink coffee. After eliminating caffeine a few years ago in order to help keep my migraines at bay (see article here) I've taken to new techniques to boost my energy. Here are yoga poses that really work.
You guys know how much I love The Bar Method and I'm psyched to start the new year putting 100% into my classes. After all, summer bodies are made in the winter. Throughout my Bar Method Fitness Series, you'll find info on breathing for flatter abs, proper form and the importance of stretching for leaner muscles. Here, I sum it all up by giving you my top X reasons to become addicted.
Planking is hands down one of the best exercises you can do for your core, but it also strengthens and tones your back, glutes and shoulders. No matter what type of workout you're into, there's always room for a plank. During class at The Bar Method Hoboken, we do two planks and sometimes our teachers even sneak in a (much welcomed) third. Here, owners Melissa and Lucy share everything you need to know to make sure you're getting the most out of the exercise. From form to timing, we got you covered.
If you live in the Hoboken or NYC area, then you might be interested in a new yoga program I'm launching – a 4-week beginners series. Whether you're new to yoga and want to learn the postures before attending an open class or are already a practicing yogi and want to perfect your form, through private instruction you'll learn the classic postures and any modifications that'll support your movement. Email me to learn more.
As a hardcore yogi and #barrebabe, I understand the importance of stretching in order to look and feel my best, however I find many of my friends and readers tell me they skip it before or after working out. When it comes to The Bar Method, I appreciate that the class strategically fits stretching exercise in between the tucks and pulses to compliment the toning movements. I spoke with Founders of The Bar Method Hoboken, Lucy and Melissa, to find out just how important stretching is during a barre class and in life.
Since doing this fitness column about The Bar Method, a lot of you have been asking common questions about the class, so I thought I'd do a post to answer them. Founders of the Hoboken studio, Lucia Almeida-Oliveira and Melissa Opsahl took the time to fill me in. Here, find out how long it takes to begin noticing results, truths about muscle bulking and how to integrate the practice into your fitness routine.
Bar Method just celebrated their 16 year anniversary, but I've only been taking class (religiously) for two of them. During that short time, I've been inspired, made new friends and learned the technique that keeps my muscles lean and toned. The community alone at The Bar Method Hoboken is reason enough to go daily. Meet the ten teachers who encourage me to "get lower" and tuck with purpose.
Throughout my life, I've taken part in various workouts to keep myself fit. Dancing, cardio kickboxing, spinning, circuit training, yoga, pilates and of course, barre classes were always in the rotation. There was even a point in time where I obsessed over P90X videos in my own living room. Since moving to Hoboken, I've been dedicated to yoga and barre classes and find that they work best for my body type. In Bar Method classes, we don't sweat, we glisten, but the fine-detail toning is thanks to isometric movements. Here's how it works. Bye-bye burpees!
A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I partnered with The Bar Method in Hoboken to bring you unique barre-inspired fitness tips each month. First up, let's talk about our core. Back in the day, I used to crunch every chance I got in hopes of toning my abs, but it wasn't until I discovered barre workouts, that I understood the true secret – it's all about your exhale. Game changing. Here's the deal..
The beauty industry tends to define beauty as ‘confidence’ and through advertising and the media, explains how by using the right products and learning a few tricks of the trade, confidence can be easily enhanced. Yes, that’s true, having my brows shaped to properly frame my face, having silky smooth skin and rocking a nearly flawless self tan all definitely make me feel more confident and therefore, more beautiful, but I’ve recently come to find that beauty is so much more than just that. This new understanding through self discovery changed not only my career path, but also my entire perspective on life and in this moment, I couldn’t be more fulfilled or grateful. Read about my transformation and new definition of beauty here.
If you follow me on Instagram, then you know that I'm fitness obsessed. Working out, whether I'm in a yoga or barre class, is a form of meditation to me. When the Bar Method opened in Hoboken two years ago, I found myself immediately addicted and began attending classes four to five times per week. As someone who, loves to focus on technique, the isolated movements work for my mind and body. Bar Method is always my answer when people ask me why my arms are so toned. Fast forward to today, and I'm proud to announce that I'll be partnering with the Bar Method Hoboken to bring you barre inspired, monthly fitness tips.
One of my favorite parts of teaching yoga is that I can cater the playlists to each class. My favorite type of music to play and choreograph to is by far rock and roll. I get just as high from opening a flow to John Mayer's cover of Free Falling as I do when inviting my students to join me in a closing OM at the end of Dave Matthews' Crash Into Me. Chills. However, Pearl Jam's Release and Just Breathe take the cake. Here are some of my favorite playlists to teach and practice to.
I'm excited to announce that I partnered with natural beauty brands Jason, Alba Botanica and Avalon Organics to teach a free yoga class at a their event in NYC tomorrow night and you're invited. In collaboration with Care.org, the brands are celebrating women's empowerment in order to raise awareness and funds for their work in supporting Qach'Umilal Girls' Education and Leadership Project, which helps to give indigenous Guatemalan girls access to education. Read on for details.
It's been a year since I completed my 200 hour yoga teacher training at YogaWorks and I am still so grateful that I had the opportunity to take it on. It was by far, the best personal growth opportunity I've ever had. I've never been stronger than I am today and have never felt more comfortable in my own skin. Besides teaching, my practice has drastically changed. Here's how:
When it comes to wellness, there’s always something new and trendy popping up. Today, I shared my top skincare, travel, yoga and food picks with Sara Gore and Jacquie Reid of NBC’s New York Live. Check out the segment here.