Calming the Nervous System

We are a Starbucks generation , go, go, go, go GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO at all costs. Even when you are tired; add a little caffeine, some 5 hour, ginko etc. just to keep going. As a fitness and lifestyle expert, people come to me looking to GET to the next thing. They want me to take them to their goals FASTER, to jump in my sidecar and for me to drive the motorcycle at high speeds…GOOOOOOO.
I’m happy to doan the goggles and scarf, but typically, thats NOT what the body needs.
All of the marvelous changes that can occur in our bodies happen during the resting stage.

Most people are not getting enough rest or calm in their life. It is a true test of self, you gain real control when you finally LET GO. It seems oxymoronic. Do LESS to get more? Roll that around in your mouth, then swallow. It’s true. We have been been sold a bill of goods in our fitness culture, of FAST, quick, pills, secret elixirs and food depravation. When all we really need is to accept ourselves, be WITH ourselves a little more in a a CALM and relaxed space.
If it’s difficult for you wind down there are natural supplements that can assist (speaking of magic elixirs….see the world is full of wonderful hypocrisy.)
Magnesium in general assists proper muscle health. you can get it many places, I’m a fan of this one
This one aides the nervous systems capacity to quiet. No magnesium but other recognizable ingredients like chamomile and kava kava Liquid Calm
Give it a try, you’ll be shocked at how well you sleep and how great the reward is of slowing and calming down.

Abs, abs and more abs

Core is the real term, but everyone asks for abs. so here you go. Core exercises are clearly my favorite (hello?! My calling card is Pilates). So here is my all time favorite:
Lower Lifts - they work the area ALL women complain about. The ‘pooch’ between your belly button and bikini line. Lie on your back on the floor, legs go as straight up towards the ceiling as possible, hands behind your head and neck, curl up over your ribs like you’re doing a crunch, then inhale to lower your legs and FLATTEN your belly, exhale to FLATTEN your belly even more, to lift the legs back to where they started. If your belly pooches while you are doing it, don’t even bother, it’s no good. Only lower the legs as far as you can keep your belly tight and IN. the goal is to lift your legs with your abs NOT your legs. Then you’ll be ready to rock that monokini with flat abs and confidence. Do 1 set of 5-10 reps

One of my Favorite Leg Exercises

Side Kick Series, Rockette Smudges (well, thats what I call them, I always feel like a Radio City Rockette when I do them)- lay on your side on the floor, legs out long on the mat. The top leg extends to hip level AS CLOSE TO 90 degrees as possible (in line with your hip bone). Flex your foot and SMUDGE the wall in front of you with the sole of your foot, trying to keep the heel of your foot in line with your hip bone (or as close to it as your hamstrings will allow). Do one set of 8, then flip to the other side and repeat. You will totally know where it’s working in your hips (hellooooo bikini bottoms). OW! But the good kind of ow.

Plank! The Wonder Exercise

Here’s why Plank Is one of the best core exercises around. I love it, you should too.

Dr. Oz Knows What’s Up

It’s no surprise to pilates afficionattos that the work is the end all be all for back issues. Now, evn Dr. Oz is stating the obvious HERE.

Yoga Studio in NY

I’ll be checking out this studio this week in SoHoViraYoga I’ll let you know how it is…..Big Apple here we come!

One of My Favorite Foods

My husband mocks me for loving beets. He says they taste like mother earth, or rather, dirt. He may be correct. He’s not the first male I’ve come across to state something similar…..However, the woman in my life have stated the reverse….how they ADORE beets. Whether you love or hate them, you might just take another look at the miraculous little red root, because apparently, they’re great for athletic endurance.Check out the blurb on BEETS

Mix and Match Workouts

It’s a great idea, SELF magazine has created a media ‘player’ where you can create your own workouts with mix and match exercises. I LOVE the concept and there is a LOT of sneaky pilates in their content (but of course they don’t label it that way). However, there is no recommendation for how to actually build the workout, warm up, how to order the exercises or cool down. There is also a lot of ‘mixed up’ content in the mix and match. Exercises labeled as ‘abs’ when they are not, or rather abs are not the prime focus in the exercise. As all pilates enthusiasat know, any movement can be turned into core, however, I think some of these are out of place.
All and all it’s neat, check it out.

Shout Out to Austin, TX

I have to say it, I have found 2 of the BEST body work people EVER. There have been many a good one cross my path and a few extraordinary ones. Perhaps it’s the combination of them that makes them so great, but I wanted to give a little love to Massage Therapist Toby Minor and Chiropractor
Dr. Kirsten Shepard for being talented and thoughtful, full-circle wellness practitioners.
Their links have contact information if you’d like to book appointments. Truly, they ave been able to do what no one else has for my spine and body. They are a blessing.

SELF CARE #4- Ice Ice Baby

Ice. It’s your best friend when things are off, uncomfortable, inflamed or in the inbetween time before you can get to a doctor or massuese. Ice is our final bullet point in our self care list.

The training acronym RICE says it best
Rest
Ice
Comprehsion
Elevation

As many therapists and doctors will tell you ( of which I am NOT one)…ice is the easiest, cheapest best way to keep inflamation and pain down.

In this day and age of wellness and health I just cannot understand why every person who is after full wellness and/or fitness does not have a loved massuese and chiropractor they visit regularly. The relationship between fascia and bone is literally inseperable. In order to get full response from a muscle you need to know where the bone is…and what it may be telling your nervous system to do. They are attached…at the hip so to speak…..if self care was consistantly a part of your fitness program, you might not even need RICE.