Shape Up For Spring in 5 Simple Steps

Submitted by on March 30, 2011 - 11:47 pm

Spring has sprung.  Flowers are blooming and the sun is really beginning to shine.  All is new.  Having grown up in Massachusetts, I can honestly say that, spring has always been my favorite time of year.  That being said, I thought that I’d share my top 5 tips for shaping up for spring.

Eat fresh! – It’s that simple.  Eat real, fresh fruits and vegetables.  Steer away from processed & frozen foods, which for the most part lack in nutrition and are full of additives that your body doesn’t really even know how to process.  Trust me, your body will thank you.

Move your body! –I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again.  “Move your body!”  No excuses, just schedule in 2-3 body toning workouts and 3 cardio workouts/week.  Even 20 minutes counts.  There’s no need to even leave your house.  Click Here for some workout ideas.

Glam you jambes! – Show some skin but make sure to groom a little first.  Start off by exfoliating your legs with a loofah, mesh sponge or body scrub product.  Then wax or shave and don’t forget a yummy pedicure, for the finishing touch.

Get your glow on! – Look sunny, without the sun.  We ALL look better with a little glow and luckily it’s easy to get your glow on with a sunless tanner, at home and in no time at all.

Doll it up, Baby! – Indulge in a fun spring outfit.  You know that you deserve it!

Bonus – Have fun!

Just Because You’re a Service Professional Doesn’t Mean That It’s Charity Work (Part 2)

Submitted by on March 12, 2011 - 12:18 am

I started this article last month by revealing the first of my three insider secrets to breaking the cycle of trading hours for dollars to help you soar in business and life in 2011. What was the first insider secret, you ask?  The riches are in the niches!

That means determine what sets YOU apart from other Pilates instructors. Perhaps that’s by recognizing what you are passionate about, in life and in your work. Maybe you teach more modalities than just Pilates.  Or maybe you make outcalls to clients. Perhaps you attract a particular audience. Your job is not to work with everyone—in fact, that’s the opposite of what you should be doing.

“I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” Bill Cosby

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Getting Zen, In Only 10

Submitted by on March 3, 2011 - 5:13 am

Contrary to popular belief, mediation is not about tuning out and negating the rest of the world.  It’s actually about tuning in, to your breath, to your body, to your mind.  According to world-renowned authority in the field of mind-body healing, Deepak Chopra, meditation is “a way to get in the space between your thoughts. You have a thought here, a thought here, and there’s little space between every thought”.  The beauty of meditation is that it can be done anywhere, at any time.  Actress and Humanitarian Angelina Jolie has said “I find meditation in sitting on the floor with the kids coloring for an hour, or going on the trampoline.”  Many other celebrities, such as Jessica Alba, Eva Mendes and Will Smith swear by its positive effects.  Here are three simple steps to getting zen in only 10 minutes.

  1. Sit up straight, and tall.  Scan from the top to the bottom of your body, making sure that each part is relaxed, (eyes, cheeks, mouth, neck, etc. to your toes).
  2. Become aware of your breath moving in and out.  Your mind will wander.  That’s totally ok.  The idea is to continually bring your focus back to your breath each time your thoughts travel away from it.  Inhale deeply and exhale deeply, maintaining good, supported, but not tense, posture.
  3. It’s really that simple.  As time goes on you will find that your mind wanders less frequently and for shorter periods of time.  You will become skilled at tuning back in to your breath.  Start this practice for a few minutes and increase to 10 minutes, or longer.  See how in tune with your mind and your body you become.

“Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless – like water.  Now put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot.  Now water can flow or it can crash.  Be water, my friend.”  Bruce Lee

I invite you to go within, to meditate.