CorePower Yoga

Recently, I was driving through Sherman Oaks when I was instantly drawn to the yellow and orange signage of a workout studio I never noticed before--CorePower Yoga! I was intrigued--so I immediately googled it. I was instantly sold on the "free week of yoga."  Enlisting my friend Brittany to join, we looked at the schedule and decided to give the yoga sculpt class a shot. We had no idea what we were getting into, but consider ourselves to be in pretty good shape--how hard could it be, right?

Upon arriving at the studio, we were greeted by our very attractive instructor, Mark. Oooh la la! Class hadn't even begun yet, but it was already good. We entered the studio and immediately started to sweat--probably because the room is heated to 98 degrees (and I don't mean the terrible boy band)! At first, I felt like I couldn't breath, and sweat was pouring off of me like rain, and then Mark expected me to bend it like Gumby in various poses repeatedly while using weights. Just as I was getting into the groove, Mark started incorporating cardio with exercises like mountain climbers and jumping jacks. Was he insane? Well there was certainly a method to his madness!

I made it through class, and literally was wringing out my clothes. I felt incredible---and was ready to do it again---another day.  Since, my first day I  have incorporated it into my regular workout routine. It's definitely a challenging class, but the way you feel afterward is oh so good. You feel more flexible and cleansed both physically and emotionally.  

I knew I had to share! I had the opportunity to speak with the regional manager, Charlotte, who broke down what the sculpt class is all about and why it's truly a great workout. I was even lucky enough to get a one-on-one session with her!  Check it out...

Like Charlotte said in the interview, CorePower Yoga has something for everyone--so give it a shot!

Just a few tips when preparing for your first class:

-Dress in fitted exercise attire in which you can sweat.
-Hydrate the night before a morning class or throughout the day if it's a night class.
-Bring a bottle of water, yoga mat and a regular size towel. Note: studio has mat and towels available to rent.

There are multiple locations throughout Los Angeles, and it's definitely catching on across the country.  For a location near you, schedules and any additional information, visit www.corepoweryoga.com. Your soul will thank you--I promise! 

Working the circuit at Circuit Works

When I first moved to Los Angeles, I was living in the valley and commuting to an internship in Venice.  Needless to say, I spent a lot of time in the car. As a result, my fitness routine was in serious trouble.  Instead of allowing the traffic to control my life, I decided to explore this new hood, and find a new place to workout.  I found Circuit Works!  Circuit Works is a "highly effective Interval / Circuit Training workout routine that rotates through a series of stations combining Aerobic and Weight Training exercises." It will kick your butt!  Unfortunately, my internship ended much sooner than imagined, and I was back to letting traffic control me.  As a result, my new obsession quickly subsided---until recently.

In September, I started a new job in Santa Monica. I had learned that Circuit Works moved locations and, to my advantage, was only minutes from my new gig.  It was fate!  Since I didn't get a chance to fully embrace it the first time, I was on a mission.  I began taking Justin's classes. Wow! What a workout! I just knew this was a workout I needed to share with all of you! So I decided to bring a camera in and show you first hand what Circuit Works is all about! See for yourself...

I encourage you to give it a shot!  For more information, visit www.circutworksla.com.

Park Bench

Yes, I've been slacking again! Not because I haven't been working out, but it's just that I am still addicted to Piloxing. On February 24, 2013, I solidified my sleek, sexy and powerfulness and became a certified instructor.  My goal is to teach at headquarters and since that requires auditioning in front of the creator, Ms. Viveca Jensen herself, you better believe my living room has become a make-shift rehearsal space to master every move perfectly.

In between classes and rehearsing, oh and doing that whole working towards my goal thing, I hit the canyons about three mornings a week with friends for a 50- minute hike.  However, I decided to trade in my hiking sneakers for my running and went on a four-mile run around the neighborhood today. I ended up at a local park that has a dirt track; three laps equals a mile.  It's absolutely perfect for everyone!

On any given day, you'll find walkers, runners, people walking their dogs, people playing tennis. If you're also looking to tone, this park has relatively new machines that allow you to do that full body workout.   If you hate the overcrowded gyms here in LA and hate watching gross men pick up equally disgusting women, this is definitely a better alternative. The best part of all... it's free.

A Meditated Release

Breath is defined as "the air that you take into your lungs and send out from your lungs when you breathe: air that is inhaled and exhaled in breathing."  Dictionary. com makes it sound so formal, and it even took me a few times to read and reread it to truly appreciate what the definition actually says. It's such a natural part of our everyday lives, but many don't take the time to give it a second thought; including myself. Why? After all, it's not like it's the foundation of life or anything.

So when a friend of mine invited me to a breath work class in Venice, I accepted without hesitation. How hard could this be? It's just breathing, right?  On our drive from the valley to Venice,  my friend warned me that it was going to take me out of my comfort zone.  My curiosity definitely peaked, but I still wasn't convinced that it was going to be challenging.  Little did I know, I was about to have one of the most out-of-body, life-changing experiences ever.

I walked into your typical Pilates studio with reformer machines set up, and gorgeous instructors with perfect bodies (don't forget I live in LA) stretching out their clients. The woman at the front desk directed me to a little room in the back of the studio. I was immediately welcomed by the smell of sage and a hug by a very striking and fit bald man. My initial impression of Jon Paul was "this should be interesting," but then he started playing his music for our breath work including a Cake cover of "I Will Surive," and he let the F bomb fly, and I knew we would get a long splendidly.

Jon Paul had us each take a mat and offered us a blanket. I took the blanket because every one else did. Little did I know it would be an instrumental part of the experience I was about to have. He had us all lay down and for the next 20 minutes we would be breathing in and out of our mouths.  There was even a rhythmic pattern that he had us follow... stomach, chest, exhale, repeat.

After 20 minutes, we switched from breathing in and out of our mouths to in and out of our noses with our tongue softly hitting the roof of our mouth and letting all of our muscles relax. At this point, I reached for my blanket, because ironically enough I was freezing! This is when it happened, that life changing moment. Within 10 minutes, I was crying uncontrollably. I couldn't stop! I thought I was going to stop breathing because I couldn't catch my breath. Finally, my lip stopped quivering and I was able to get it together. By that time it was time to do some guided meditation and we were asked to think about moments in our lives where we felt gratitude and love and take those moments and hold onto them. It's amazing how in my 29 years of life, I could immediately think of those moments when I felt those feelings the most.

When the class was wrapping up, Jon Paul had us surrender in child's pose for a few minutes and then come into a circle where we ended class with a meditation prayer. When the lights came back on, I could not even begin to comprehend what just happened.  I felt relaxed and like the weight of the world had been lifted. My soul felt at peace.  I looked around at all of the faces in the room and I could see the transformation in all of them, as well. We each had our own experience, but we all had the same end result. It was amazing!

On the drive home, my friend and I just talked about what just happened. I was so thankful to her for sharing this moment with me. It was something I needed and apparently unknowingly craving in my life.  I was raised Catholic, but in my adult life I never associated with any religion really. I considered myself spiritual but it was in this moment that even my spirituality was not really present in my life.

Since taking that class, I've done a modified version of the meditation almost daily on my own. I never realized that in such a transitional period in my life, this would be the saving grace.