let's talk about the tush

over the past couple of years "barre" classes have taken over like wildfires spreading all over southern california. the reason why these types of classes are so popular is because not only are they fun and allow people to work out like dancers - who, not coincidentally, have some beautiful behinds - these classes yield great results, especially when it comes to tushies.

well-conditioned behinds, formally and simply speaking, your gluteals - maximus, medius and minimus, are not only sexy but functionally very important. not only do round, toned, gravity-defying tushies look good, they help support our backs and keep our hips from tightening up. in addition, they stabilize our hips in cooperation with our abdominal core and are therefore crucial to maintain healthy postures as we go about our daily lives walking, standing, going up stairs, etc....

the main purpose of the gluteus maximus, the most well-known, outermost muscles of all the gluteals, is to extend the hip, i.e. when we bring a leg back when we walk. it also turns the leg outward and lifts it to the side. underneath the maximus, the medius helps bring the leg out to the side, turns it inward & outward; it pushes the hip forward and also flexes it (like when we bend over). the innermost the minimus also flexes the hip, helps pull the leg out to the side and also rotates it inward.

it's no wonder, therefore, that there are so many different ways to work these all important muscles. they move the leg in so many directions! and how often do we rely on our legs? all the time!! it might be easy to forget to condition them, letting fatty tissue in the area take over (ever heard of the phrase "secretary spread"?) as we spend so much time sitting - at our desks, in our cars, having dinner with friends, etc...but thankfully, there are many fun options in which we can get them nice and healthy.

so now you know a little more about what's "behind" you, get up off of it and find a class near you (mine are at the equinox club in west hollywood on friday mornings at 9a). your back, hips and not to mention, your significant other, will be very happy you did!

barre burning it at equinox west hollywood

happy holidays all! i’ve been having the time of my life this last quarter, with fantastic new clients, new class programs and new schedule that includes a barre burn class at equinox west hollywood!

as described by the club, it’s a “total body workout that slims your hips, tightens your thighs, lifts your seats and mobilizes your metabolism. utilizing ballet movements, intelligent isometrics, challenges in rhythm, range of motion and progressive core training, your body heals, tightens, strengthens, so you look, feel and move better!”

the class definitely lives up to this description so i hope people who are looking for something new to do can come check it out and stick with it!

if you want to condition your body into straight up sexiness and learn how those dancers move with such strength and ease, then this class is for you! i share my background and lifelong love of commercial dance with everyone in class and will help you get there. we use the same foundational moves in pilates that are based in low resistance, precision, flow, control and long lines. we add some dynamic level changes (like high kicks and jumps) for more core destabilizing. it’s only 45 minutes so everyone gets in their cardio and their sculpting “burn” in at the same time.

friday morning workouts are meant to be fun. weekly attendance will get you strong, limber, poised and ready for that photo shoot or in shape for that long-overdue beach trip! come check us out at #equinoxfitness west hollywood 9am this friday, december 16^th for the last class of the year. we get to start back up again January 6, 2012. see you soon!

community in fitness

when you're around people who are active and have a healthy attitude about physical fitness, you are part of a very special community. you will find inspiration, many laughs and long-standing camaraderie amongst these people.

i’ve always loved the tagline “it’s not fitness, it’s life” for equinox fitness clubs. this declaration is quite accurate for me and the many of the dedicated friends and colleagues i've met through the fitness community. we often say how people approach their workout in the gym/studio is a direct reflection of how they live their lives outside of it.

people who consistently make time for their workouts are adaptable, sexy, vivacious, hopeful, driven and success-oriented. they deal with stress a little better. they aim to eat well and consider what they put in their bodies. generally speaking, their serotonin is at a good level and they know how great endorphins can be. they not only look good, but they smell good too!

consistent activity results in improved blood and oxygen circulation as well as digestive function which, in turn, effectively flushes out toxins that cause disease. with the management and prevention of disease, one naturally has a healthy state of mind. needless to say, this existence is quite attractive and pleases all of the senses - vision, smell, touch, etc...

i am so thankful for my spirited friends and colleagues in this community. our lifestyles have resulted in a great way to live. we inspire and motivate each other. we maintain a healthy sense of discipline and competition. from this, we all respect one another for our commitment to ourselves as individuals, knowing that we each are a direct reflection of our collective selves.

cyclical thoughts

we recently entered into the autumnal equinox which symbolizes many things, the bounty of nature in the year that had passed; the harvest of fruits or even a melancholy association signifying the impending cold weather, depending on the culture.

i know that autumn for me has always been a good time to evaluate the "fruits" and contributions of my existence. during this time, i myself just got a new tattoo with symbols extracted from a philippine mandala that (to oversimplify) signified my commitment to teaching as part of this community. i did it to reinforce a fulfilled - and happy - sense of union with the world around me. as a yogi who practices transcendental meditation, it was just a logical symbol to chose.

as we go through this life, it's really important to check in with oneself on occasion, perform a "gut check" if you will. we should be happy with our present existence, celebrating our our lives thusfar. sometimes it's what we imagined for ourselves, sometimes it's a total surprise!

whatever you have in your present, always make sure to find the happiness in it. celebrate who you are and what you've done. the best way to be prepared for an uncertain future is to relish in today.

spinning sugar

every tuesday morning i spin now. i never thought i would want to get up as early as 5:45a to spin. but here i am! doing it! i dropped off for a while, but i'm pleased to say that my new favorite spin teacher, ronit koren, has filled a void that was once occupied by spinning great stacey griffith at equinox. stacey had a number of followers, i being one of them, who would religiously spin with her three times a week at noon. however, she has left us to create a new life elsewhere and for a while i was floating around "spinless" in westwood, getting fat and eating too many cupcakes. i had the yoga practice down, but i was struggling with my cardio.

but this class has become a treat that i now look forward to it every week! music is a huge part of the ride, for me, at least, so it took a while to find a great teacher who had just the right energy. a teacher that i love, andrea lawent, is too far away for me in hollywood.

ronit warms you up quickly out of your sleep, motivates you to maintain a high energy level and paces you out for the best challenge. you watch her move and want to move with the same amount of strength and ease. her music is driving, fun and heavy on bass. prime spots fill up fast! thank goodness for equinox's online bike booking, or else i'd have to get to class an hour before to sign up (which i NEVER would want to do that early on a weekday). thanks ronit!