I did the Urdhva Dhanurasana!! The what??

I had a pose breakthrough in my Vinyasa class on Thursday and it was quite fitting that it was during the class of my fave instructor. (I've blogged about Sonia before as she is the cat's meooow of yoga instructors.)

So, I have always had serious issue with this backbend move. Oh, the endless amounts of classes over the years where I made little progress as I strained, sweated and struggled and the furthest I ever got was the faux version, which was only being able to balance on my head and yet never able to get my arms fully extended and body in the full, glorious half moon shape! Until Thursday night and magic happened.

I did the Urdhva Dhanurasana!! The what?? I did the wheeeel!!! The moments leading up to it, as my lower body was in bridge pose, I was like F** it, I am tired of feeling weak and pressuring myself, I’m just gonna try it with no “mind baggage.” And lo and behold, I DID it. Twas like angels lifting me up. Giggle. I was soo surprised that my friggin head was off the ground and because I hadn't taken her class/attempted the move in months!! Getting out of the pose, I was SUPER anxious because this being the first time I successfully did the pose, I was fearful that my arms would give out on me which would have led to true blue DIS-aster. But, I successfully eased myself out of it with a snails pace.

I was delirious and so full of adrenaline that the restorative parts of the class were lost on me and the mind buzzed with my accomplishment!

So let this be a lesson to all of you THAT ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!! Now, if only I can figure out how to master crow and the headstand…

Free Community Pilates Mat classes

Hey all,

With money being a lil tight with most people these days, I wanted to draw your attention to two studios in Manhattan that offer free one hour Community Pilates mat classes weekly taught by Teachers in Training.

Movements Afoot
Wednesday at 6:30 pm and Fridays at 4:00 pm
Reg class prices are $18.00
Visit Movementsafoot.com or call (212) 904-1399 for details

Kane School of Core Integration
Tuesdays at 1:00 pm and Thursdays 5:30 pm
Reg class prices are $18.00
Visit Kane School or call (212) 463-8308 for details

Forget the Giants vs Redskins Kick off. Have your own Fitness Kickoff

Ok, the title of this entry was inspired by my viewing my first EVER football kickoff game when my gym buddy Amanda asked me if I wanted see the game with her at a sports bar. It was my first ever football game ever in its entirety. (I know the occasional glancing at the screen while munching on Super bowl nibbles doesn't count.)

Anyways, while riding out the wave of summer guests, I clung to the notions that once the waters had stilled, I would definitely need to do something special to get my booty back in gear with working out AND, I would make sure that I took some time away,

I looked at fitness retreats/spas and couldn't justify spending the money. SO, I decided to have my own Fall Fitness kickoff and design my own retreat!! After some deliberations, I decided to hit the very cosmopolitan and international Montreal. (I wanted to feel like I was in Europe and had already been to Quebec City, so I knew the province of Quebec would not let me down!) I booked my hotel in Old Montreal where historical landmarks, sublime architecture and cobbled stoned streets abound!

My next step was to find a workout studiot. I was open to either yoga and/or pilates classes. After much research, I happened upon Spa Zazen, a wellness center located within a 10 minute walk from my hotel. Even better they offered New Client Starter Package and I got 3 private machine classes for only 120 CAD!! You would NEVER find that rate in New York. I also booked an affordable (65 CAD) one hour massage. The owner Jennifer was a gem in helping me make coordinate my appointments.

Upon entering Spa Zazen, I knew I made the right choice. The exposed bricks, wooden floors and abundance of light lent the center a wonderful, tranquil energy. My trainer Natalie Fitzpatrick was awesome and delightful. And she's actually the ONLY certified Yamuna Body Rolling practioner in Montreal! (Ya'll may recall that I had Yamuna sessions in the Spring that I really enjoyed.) I was soo happy to have Natalie kick my butt as I woke up my muscles which had been on snooze. Even as the muscles ached, I remembered why the pilates reformer is one of my favorite fitness apparatuses.

The day of my final session, I had a swedish massage that was the cherry on top of the sundae and walked out feeling so light on my feet. During my "retreat", I also made sure to eat well and "detoxed". I also did sooo much walking and sitting around and people watched.

So, if any of you fell off the fitness bandwagon, I encourage you to have your own Fall Fitness Kickoff. You don't necessarily have to leave the city, but the weather is cooler now and is prime for outdoor activities. Gyms and studios to revamp the fitness schedules, so look and see if any new classes have been added on to pique your interest.

NYSC Soho has a new Tuesday Zumba class that I am VERY curious about...

NOW is the time to try Gyrotonics

Ok, if any of you have ever thought about trying Gyrotonics, now's is your chance!

Fluid Fitness in Midtown is offering a sweet deal for New Clients. You get TWO Private Training sessions (1 hour each) and ONE Migun Massage (15 minutes) all for only $80. The value of this is $180.

Man, it's too bad I already work out here. I have visions of going into the studio in disguise and using an alias just so I can take advantage of this offer. (Giggle)

And where did I leave off... Oh yes, my unexpected discovery Part 2

Well! With everyone visiting me this summer, it forced me to change my fitness schedule to free up my evenings. Therefore, I decided to work out on Tuesdays at lunch time and putting rebounding after work on hold. Ya HUH, I gave up my glorious class... So my gym buddy Kiki and I decided to give the 12:15 Spin class a try at NYSC on 38th street.

Well, I must say that the instructor well..... he turned out to be an unexpected discovery. I've taken many spin classes with instructors who all had one thing in common and that was to make you ride as hard as possible and/or push you as hard as possible. (There's even an instructor that Kiki and I take once in a blue that is downright cranky and we take the class whenever we want a giggle.) As a result eventually, the class would start to wear on me and I would give it up.

Well NOT Kevin, his mantra is that you should walk out of the class feeling like you can take another class!! How freaking refreshing is that??? I loved it. A gentle, effective, sweaty workout with a trainer whose got a fanstastic sense of humor and reminds us that we are all just trying to work off the Ben and Jerry's and who actually walks around the studio checking on people's form and making sure their bikes are adjusted properly. A super spin instructor I say!

Though I am back to rebounding after work. He is my permanant Tuesday backup!

Boy did I take a summer vacation

My summer exploded with out of town family and friends visiting and the hurricane did not stop until early September, but now I am baaaaaccckkkk and looking forward to keeping ya'll updated on the cool happenings.

Two unexpected discoveries, Part One

Well, my first week of regular activity has ended and I am thrilled to say that the body did not lose its fitness memory after having been deprived of regular activity.

But, one of the highlights of the week was the unexprected discovery of a new activity and it happens to be a fusion of two of my favorite workouts, which are Yoga and Pilates.

I was all prepared to take my first Pilates classes in eons and selected one at NYSC with an instructor that was new to me. Early on I thought to myself, hmmm this ain't your mama's pilates class as it had a bit of Yoga seasoning to it. HUH?? Then I heard the instructor use the word Yogalates and a light bulb went off as I thought, I am NOT going crazy. Ha!

Yogalates or Yogilates mixes Hatha Yoga and Pilates to create an extremely enjoyable workout. It was effective at targeting many areas like the abs, booty and arms and moved at a quick and challenging pace that did not allow one to get bored.

I have to admit that I am not a huge fan of fusion exercises as I think original activities should be left alone, but I if you ever see this class advertised I recommend that you give it a whirl!

Stay tuned for the Second unexpected discovery...