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Review: EarthRise Yoga (at Equinox)

Continuing with my exercise kick…

On Tuesday morning I got up and went to EarthRise yoga from 7:30-8:30am at Equinox on 63rd and Lex (3 blocks away).

Okay – *this* is my yoga. This is exactly what I practice when I do yoga on my own. This is it!! It’s like dance… but yoga. It’s breathing and moving and flowing nonstop. It’s invigorating. Here is the description from Derek Beres’ site (that’s the instructor):

“Derek Beres is the creator of EarthRise YogaTM, a rigorous Vinyasa-based practice pulling from his decade of study in various yogic practices, as well as studies in various martial arts and dance disciplines, including certifications in Budokon and Thai Yoga Massage.”

It’s completely clear that this yoga is built on so many different foundations – martial arts, dance, vinyasa – you are constantly moving with the breath and really getting into the practice.

The hour long class had 2 major flows (each done on both sides). The flows were probably about  10 minutes per side (!). The first one went something like this (forgive me for butchering the sequence if I do):

  • leg up; knee to nose (repeat a few times)
  • leg up; knee out to the side like an L
  • lunge with back knee down and arms up; straighten legs to pyramid (repeat a few times)
  • something…
  • warrior 2 and half moon back to warrior 2
  • forward to a squat; straighten up and do a back bend (repeat a few times with the breath)
  • birds of paradise (going slowly through the whole preparation)
  • bound half moon play (!)
  • side straddle
  • warrior 2
  • something…
  • lots of side planks thrown in there
  • more stuff that I’m forgetting

That was not a very good layout of the flow; it was so long that I couldn’t even remember it at the time! I loved it though. Most of it was moving with the breath; even when we did hold poses for longer it felt like nothing. I loved the half moon bind – I didn’t even know that was a posture. And I finally got birds of paradise.

The class was set to some very cool beats (I think done by the instructor himself) and the music definitely kept the energy flowing.

There’s another one tomorrow (Thursday) morning at 63rd and Lex (same time: 7:30-8:30am) and I’m going to try to go in before work.

I am *so* glad to have found my perfect yoga class. This maybe be reason enough to join Equinox (even thought I would probably join for the showers and free Kiehl’s alone).

What’s the best exercise class you’ve ever taken?

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Review: Equinox Classes!

Here are all of the classes I have taken since I started my one month Equinox pass last Sunday. Equinox has been amazing so far. I’m curious to see if they’ll offer us a discount after the month; I have a specific number in mind (which is still way to high!) that I will pay to join… I’m hoping they hit that number.

Sunday, 1/10: intenSati kickoff (60+ mins of intenSati; with Patricia)

Monday, 1/11: intenSati (60 mins; with Erika) and hip hop to the 1/2 (45 mins; with Erika)

Tuesday, 1/12: slow flow yoga (60 mins) and pilates/bartenieff fusion (45 minutes but I was late)

Friday, 1/15: warrior flow yoga (60 mins) and zumba (60 mins)

Saturday, 1/16: intenSati (60 mins; with Lindsay)

Sunday, 1/17: vinyasa yoga (60 mins) and intenSati (60 mins; with Erika)

Monday, 1/18: intenSati (60 mins; with Lindsay)

My favorite intenSati class so far was definitely the kickoff class with Patricia Moreno leading. She is such an amazingly beautiful, strong woman. Erika is also pretty kickass and Lindsay is so upbeat. I actually remember the affirmations from Lindsay’s class this morning (cuz I took it Saturday too). You say all these phrases while do vigorous cardio and feeling strong:

I celebrate my strength
I believe in myself
I have what it takes
I want it I want it I really really want it
I am committed YES to doing my part
I am ready to get moving
I am willing to get moving
I am able to get moving
I am moving right now
What do you intend for 2010?
Happiness and Joy… say it again!

As for the other classes:

I really liked Tuesday night’s slow flow yoga. The instructor was Maja Sidebaeck. It was exactly the kind of class I would teach.

Friday’s yoga was pretty good too – I actually can’t remember the class that well, but I know that I walked away feeling good. The instructor was Adrian Molina.

Sunday’s class… not that great, to be honest. The instructor hardly adjusted anyone at all and he offered no guidance – he just counted out the breaths for every single pose and walked around with his eyes closed. It was kind of strange. I think it was a sub or something because the picture online of the guy doesn’t look like the guy in class (or maybe I just couldn’t see because I wasn’t wearing contacts). I won’t say his name just in case it’s the wrong guy 😉

Friday night’s Zumba was great – Zumba does not feel like exercise to me. It’s just too fun.

But (yes, I’m girly), I think my main reason for wanting to join Equinox is their locker rooms (did I say this already?). Okay – the showers have Kiehl’s shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. They have Kiehl’s body lotion. The towels are usually warm. They have blow dryers, razors, and shaving cream for you to use – free of charge. They have deodorant, hair spray, cotton balls, q-tips, and mouth wash – free. And probably more that I’m forgetting.

My skin feels like a baby’s. My hands are usually dry in the winter and I can’t seem to stop rubbing them together now because they feel so good (thanks to Kiehl’s lotion). I’ve showered in my apartment maybe 3 times in the last week (I’m a frequent showerer). Ahhh, I want to join!

To think that a week and a half ago I didn’t think I had time to join a gym (truth: I don’t – but it’s important to me).

Here’s a good question… what do you do to pamper yourself? What do you *want* to do to pamper yourself (even if you can’t afford it)?

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Review: Core Fusion DVD (and an award)

Who else is doing Dori’s Core Fusion Challenge? The goal is to do a Core Fusion class (or DVD) 4-5 times a week for the month of January… intense, but exciting. I went over to Exhale Spa on Sunday and picked up my DVD: Core Fusion Body Sculpt.

core-fusion-dvd

The DVD is 50 minutes; it’s broken into 5 sections of 10 minutes each. The first section is arms, the second is butt, the third is thighs (or is it thighs then butt?), the fourth is abs, and the fifth is stretching. I haven’t done the fifth one yet.

Each 10-minute workout has a short (1 minute) warm-up, then about 7-8 minutes of yoga and ballet (in my humble opinion) inspired strength training, and then 1-2 minutes of stretching. When I first started I thought it was wimpy. Two minutes later my legs were shaking and I wanted to die. But I pushed through and the end of the workout came way quicker than I expected. I did all 4 sections (arms, butt, thighs, abs).

I did this yesterday (Monday) morning, and I’m not sore today (Tuesday)… I credit this to the very good stretching in the DVD… or delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). I might be achy tomorrow (Wednesday)! If I feel alright (I think I’m getting sick…) I’m going to do it again tomorrow morning – and maybe even do the stretching segment if I have time.

So far – I love Core Fusion. I hate strength training, and this is much more down my yoga/ballet interest path. Plus, I want my butt to look like the one on the DVD. And those abs! Here’s to hoping that’s me in a month 🙂 Thanks for the intro to CF, Dori!

Another blogger friend, Elizabeth (who I met at Foodbuzz) gave me this sweet Beautiful Blogger Award. Elizabeth is a Beautiful Blogger herself! Thank you, friend!

beautiful-blogger-award

I’m supposed to list 7 random facts about myself. In no particular order…

  1. I love to sing. I haven’t been in a choir for the last 3 years or so, but I have been in various choirs for more than half of my life (age 8 to age 20). I sang in Carnegie Hall when I was 10 and I’ve gotten to tour all over the US. I’m a soprano!
  2. I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up.
  3. I secretly enjoy greasy Chinese food. Er… guess that’s not a secret anymore.
  4. I like to rearrange furniture. We just did our apartment on Sunday (it looks nice!).
  5. We don’t get cable. I don’t miss it either.
  6. My favorite color is purple.
  7. I’m currently reading The Likeness by Tana French (thanks Tina for the rec!). I started it in Miami, then forgot I had it, and for the last two days I haven’t been able to put it down in my free time (what free time? I think I’ve only read it for 2 hours total…).

And I’m supposed to pass it on to 7 people. I was going to cop out like I usually do, but I’m actually going to give it to 8 amazing and beautiful blogger friends because I just can’t narrow it down to 7:

  • Dori (Dori’s Shiny Blog)
  • Clare (Yogi Clare Bear)
  • Cindy (A Sparkle A Day)
  • Gena (Choosing Raw)
  • Averie (Love Veggies and Yoga)
  • Christina (Dinner at Christina’s)
  • Coco (Balance, Joy & Delicias)
  • Heather (Heather Eats Almond Butter)

And now I’m going to bed so that I can get better. I firmly believe that a good night’s rest can cure just about anything.

What do you do to feel better when you’re sick?

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New York Events (Join me!)

New York News #1:

Do you like Bethenny Frankel? She’s going on tour to publicize her new book, The Skinnygirl Dish (“so much more than a cookbook”) next month. She’s coming to the Columbus Circle Borders on January 6th (a Wednesday) at 7pm. I plan on going… let me know if you want to go together.

New York News #2:

My new friend Ann (my coworker’s girlfriend) alerted me to this Warrior Challenge sponsored by Sati Life and Patricia Moreno. If you apply and are accepted you get a month-long pass to Equinox gyms (a $180 value) so that you can take intenSati classes. You just have to commit to doing 3 classes per week for a month and attending the kickoff class (January 10th) and finale class (February 7th). intenSati is a high-energy cardio workout class created by Patricia Moreno. I applied last night.

Non-New York tipoff:

Do you have Netflix? Do you want a good workout recommendation? This morning I did a 45 minute dancey/cardio workout called “Dance Off the Inches: Calorie Blasting” that was FREE with my subscription. Netflix offers a lot of free streaming videos (I’m currently blowing through the first season of Dead Like Me) and I love the workout videos. This was my first sweaty workout in a while and I had so much fun doing it. I missed real exercise! I do enjoy my relaxed routine now (20 minutes of yoga? that’s all I need each day!) but sometimes I just crave a good workout.

I’m heading off to Miami tomorrow afternoon (to join Bobby, who’s already down there with his family), so expect another post soon – I’ll have lots of writing time in the airport. I have some great posts lined up including a recap of a Christmukkah  party with friends (think latkes, homemade applesauce, and eggnog) and a crazy little announcement of something I’m doing next week with Dori.

Happy Tuesday! Almost Christmas!

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Exercise Routines & Exercise Videos

Since moving to New York, my exercise has been cut down a lot. Take a look at this week‘s exercise routines:

Week of 06 Dec – 12 Dec:

Sunday – sadie nardini’s power half hour exercise video; walking
Monday – 5 minutes yoga in the morning; 20 minutes yoga @ night
Tuesday – 5 minutes yoga in the morning ( =( wish i had done more this day)
Wednesday – 2 mile walk home
Thursday – 25 minutes yoga in the morning
Friday – yogadownload’s “weight loss yoga #2″ (20 minutes; this was an exercise video, not just a podcast)
Saturday – meaghan townsend’s cardio yoga exercise video (20 minutes; exercise tv); walking around @ night (1-2 miles?)

That is an average of about 20 minutes of very relaxed exercise each day. But I feel great! I wish I was walking more, but I do think I’ve found a great balance. I should have known – sometimes less is more 🙂

I found this great exercise video yesterday (and I did it again today): Meaghan Townsend’s Cardio Yoga (exercisetv.tv).

cardio yoga

Bobby did it with me yesterday (Saturday) morning. It is great – it’s the flowy, dancey, motion-filled yoga that I love. This is the best video since…

Tom Morley’s Cardio Yoga. I discovered this way back in the fall of ’08. The first time I wrote about him was on September 9th, 2008 – back before I had any commenters and before I knew how to make real post titles. Since then I have done Tom’s yoga videos many many times. I still highly recommend him, but I can never find his “Cardio Yoga”. I can only ever find “Buns and Thighs Yoga”. Sigh.

You don’t have to kill yourself to be in shape. I disagree with many fitness professionals in this respect. I think that taking the stairs, parking far away, being mindful, and taking some deep breaths are way more important than getting in an hour of sweaty cardio. Work exercise into your life – don’t work your life around your exercise routines. Life is short, so chill out and enjoy it.

P.S. If you think that you’ll gain weight by chilling out, think again. Exercise can increase your appetite and make you ravenous – which makes it easy to overeat.

Stay tuned for…

  • Baking experiments starring some NY family members (this was so fun!)
  • More Macro Vegetarian Reviews
  • New York bagels
  • A Holiday Challenge (this won’t be for a week or two)
  • Restaurant review (The Long Room on44th between6th and 7th aves) & a night out with friends

Have a lovely lovely week! Don’t forget to relax.