Thai Yoga Massage with Yogini Annie

Annie Foster- yogini

Yesterday I had the good fortune to receive a Thai Yoga Massage from my friend and fellow fitness enthusiast Annie Foster.  Annie and I met at a theatre I worked at a couple of years ago and, like me, has branched out from the fine arts into a fitness career.   Annie is being certified through Lotus Palm Massage School at the Integral Yoga Institute here in New York City.  She is also a certified yoga instructor.

So, what is Thai Yoga Massage?  It is AWESOME.   Kam Thye Chow, who started the Lotus Palm school, began teaching Thai Yoga Massage as "a safe method of integrating the Eastern approach to body, mind, and spirit with the Western understanding of the physical body".  Through a series of different yoga based moves, the massage leads your joints through a complete range of motion.  After the 90 minute treatment, you feel refreshed, aligned, and reawakened.

Unlike a traditional massage where you lay on a table and someone massages your muscles, Thai Yoga Massage is done on a padded surface on the floor.  Annie had me set up two yoga mats with some towels and blankets for padding.  Another difference from traditional massage:  Thai Yoga Massage is done fully clothed.  I wore what a would wear at yoga class--loose fitting pants and a top.

After the set up, Annie put on some ambient yoga music and got to work.  We started in an upright cross legged position, and I was amazed that Annie used her own body to prop up my back, my arms, and my legs to make me incredibly comfortable and relaxed.



Annie demonstrates how Thai Yoga Massage works on her website http://www.yoginiannie.com/

My fave move was the thunderbolt, where I was on my stomach and Annie had my feet almost touching my low back- very aerodynamic.  I don't know if you all remember when I injured myself earlier this year doing Insanity, but when Annie got to the deep muscles in my butt and lower back I felt all that old pain come to the surface and just release.  It was incredible.

Thunderbolt pose.  I mean, look at his face!  This is good stuff.

The best part?  Annie can come TO YOUR HOME!  You don't have to even leave to experience all the wonderful benefits that this service has to offer.  It felt like a custom yoga workout that someone else did for me using my own body.  Annie is professional, soothing, and very well versed in what each move does for your body.  How can you reach her?  Email her at yoginiannie@gmail.com, check out her website at http://www.yoginiannie.com/ and read her blog at http://yoginiannie.blogspot.com/ .

Working Out and Staying Cool

Although I love warm weather, I have an aversion to working out in it. I get super sweaty and I break out in heat rash behind my knees, the crooks of my elbows, and my neck! It is torture. I can't NOT workout, so I have my "go to" workouts that keep me trim, sane, and help me beat the heat. They are all based on small muscle movements, a ballet barre, resistance bands, pilates, and yoga. Similar, but different.

SQUEEZE: Created and led by Tracy Effinger, Squeeze is one of my favorite workout series. I own the original Squeeze, Squeeze Stronger, and Squeeze lower body challenge. It is a more athletic approach to small muscle movements: Tracy keeps a brisk pace throughout and doesn't spend a lot of time setting up the movements. She uses light weight and a lot of reps to tire out your muscles in a way that most heavy weight exercises can't. Her ab workout is one of the toughest around- you won't die but you'll want to!
Equipment: mat, light hand weights, a medium sized ball, a dance barre or high backed chair







THE LOTTE BERK METHOD: Lotte Berk was a famous Russian ballerina who created this pilates-esque workout that has been around since the 1950's. This version was created by Lydia Bach who opened a studio here in NYC and is similar to popular classes at Exhale (Core Fusion), Bar Method, and Physique 57. I own all four DVDs: Basic Essentials, Hip Hugger Abs, Muscle Eats Fat, and High Round Assets. Each video is about 30 minutes in length and is very instructional. Once you get past the over instruction it is a really great series and wonderful when I am short on time or don't have the energy for Squeeze.
Equipment: mat, light hand weights, a dance barre or high backed chair




FLUIDITY: I love infomercials and bought this series off of one. It came with four DVDs: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced and a Seat and Thigh video, two resistance bands, a rubber ball, and a beautiful ballet barre that sets up on it's own without being attached to a wall. I use the barre for all my ballet workouts! It was a great purchase even though it was pricey. Led by Michelle Austin, the workouts are very similar to Lotte Berk and Callanetics, but I feel they are a little more ballet inspired. I love the stretching after every move and feel these workouts made me better at my other workouts because of the control that I gained over my muscles. The ab workouts are TOUGH.
Equipment: Fluidity barre, resistance bands, rubber ball




I just bought Core Fusion Pure Abs and Arms and will be doing a separate post about it (I liked it!). All these workouts are proof that you don't have to jump around and sweat like silly to gain strength, muscle tone, and grace. I use them regularly in my rotation and find they help in all aspects of my fitness gains.

Mind Over Madness Yoga: Solstice in Times Square 2010

I never dreamed I would be lying on my stomach in Times Square. I also never imagined I would be doing it at 7:30 am, but there I was this morning welcoming the beginning of summer with a bunch of other yoga practitioners at the 2010 Solstice in Times Square, produced by the Times Square Alliance, the same folks who put on the dropping of the ball every New Year's Eve. Their brochure summed it up the best:

So, in honor of the many cultures throughout history that have celebrated the Summer Solstice as a flowering of mind, body, and spirit and an outpouring of creative expression , we invite yoga enthusiasts; both experienced and beginners to find tranquility and transcendence in the midst of the urban energy of the world's most commercial and frenetic place.

I was invited as a member of the press by yoga company Manduka, one of the event sponsors and giver away of 100 eco-Lite yoga mats for the first 100 participants of each class. They also gifted me a beautiful "VIP" package (who me?) that I took some pics of further down in my photo essay. . .Thanks to Manduka for getting me into one of the coolest events ever!




Here I am with the background of the TKTS booth in Times Square. I am all smiles despite not having any coffee yet.


The waiting line for the 7:30 am class! I was lucky I got to bypass it and see the goodies at the Manduka tent in the yoga village.





The event opens and people start to trickle in. . .



. . .and it gets fuller. . .























. . . and then it was time for class to begin!



The little guy in the yellow shirt is instructor Douglass Stewart who co-founded the Solstice in Times Square event. He teaches at Yoga Works here in NYC, and was an amazingly motivational teacher. The class was inspiring-feeling the energy of the other students of all levels working together to create this amazing sense of peace and calm in the busiest place in New York City was a once in a lifetime feeling. I was so happy to be there!




We even had the class shown on the JUMBO TRON television. I saw the Tony's on this TV last week. Neato!



This is what Douglass looks like close up. I'm sporting my new Manduka yoga bag!

Here is the swag I received from Manduka: A pro-Lite yoga mat, yoga bag, and yoga towel. I can't wait to start using the mat for my practice! I do yoga about 2-3 times a week, and my old mat is looking a little ragged.

I feel like summer is officially kicked off in one of the most awesome ways possible. I can't wait to participate next year! If you are in town, you must must must check it out!!!

GET AHOLD OF YOURSELF

Audition complete. Sang and danced. Had ONE little snafu- practiced the song in the wrong key. Sigh.

But it is done! I did a little yoga. . .a little breathing in and breathing out. . .and it's all Zen.

By the way. . . today is day 2 of the Million Minute Month at http://www.socialworkout.com/, a really cool site. Do your part! Chip in your minutes!

Stolen Video From Fitarella.Com- Bob Harper Yoga Class

I am the beginning! I am surprisingly alert for as early as it was. . .

Thanks Jacqueline from www.fitarella.com!

Bob and Brita: My Magical Bob Harper Experience

If you had asked me yesterday morning if I was going to meet Bob Harper, Biggest Loser trainer extraordinaire, I would have said, "Sure. Maybe I'll walk past him on my way to the subway. This is New York, after all." What I would never have imagined is not only did I get to meet him, but he touched my feet.

Intrigued?

On the twitter yesterday, fellow fitness blogger Jacqueline aka Fitarella (check out her site here and her twitter here) asked if I was going to the Bob yoga class in the morning. Hmmm? What? Yes, please! With a couple a quick e-mails, I was confirmed for a car service (!) to pick me up at 6:15 AM for an early morning Bob yoga class sponsored by Brita. We all know Brita from the Biggest Loser ranch, and Bob is a big fan of not using disposable plastic water bottles.

When I arrived, I got to meet Jaqueline in person with her coach Jodi from Model Per4mance (check it out!) and fellow fitness blogger Gym Belle from Gympressions (you can meet her here!). It was almost like getting to go to Fitbloggin'. They are the cutest sweetest ladies! And so full of information. THANK YOU for the opportunity!

When Bob arrived at the New York Health and Racquetball Club on Park Avenue South, we all filed into the yoga class to see some awesome swag from the Brita folks! Of course a Brita pitcher and those green bottles like the ones shown on the Biggest Loser, but also a nifty canvas tote bag and yoga mat. HOLLER! Nothing is better than free cool stuff.

Bob hopped right into the yoga, and although it was only about 40 minutes, I did break a sweat! What a way to wake up! In table top pose we did a balance exercise where Bob pulled on my feet and then my hands. All I could think about was how I haven't had a pedicure in months. I hope he doesn't have a thing about feet. If so, I apologize profusely. We also went into a plie squat move where he pushed down on my legs until I was shaking like Jell-O. My own personal abuse from Bob!

After the workout, the bloggers and news people got to ask Bob questions about everything from exercising to his thoughts on Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution (he liked it!). I asked him how he got started on The Biggest Loser, and he told a great story about how he had come to LA from Tennessee in a little Toyota, started training out here for "celebrities" (his quotes, not mine) and was asked by NBC to audition for the show. he was skeptical at first, especially about the title, but after much research and a 6-week audition period, he landed the gig. And here he is nine seasons later.

I also want to point out that Bob is an EXCELLENT plugger. We always tease about this during our live tweetfest during #BL9, but Bob does it so seamlessly you don't even know it is happening! Here we are, talking about the importance of working out and hydration, and BAM! Brita plug. Hilarious. If he had pulled out Extra gum or some Ziplock baggies I might have wet myself.

After a quick photo op, I had breakfast with my new lady blogger friends. They are all so cool, I am totally jazzed to be in their company.

All in all, it was a magical day for this lady. I love my life!

Week 1 without Insanity

I injured my back/hip one week ago and had to postpone my final week of Insanity (I would have been finished on Monday!!!!) until I am back in business. Since that day I have engaged in gentle yoga and stretching, walking in the park, and yesterday was the first day I tried to ramp it up a bit by doing Tracy Effinger's Squeeze. It was a lot more hip rotation, stretching, and pilates action and I was nervous that it would make my traveling injury seize up again.



I am happy to report that all muscles are fine, still a little sore, but I can move pretty normally. When I say traveling injury, I mean it started in my low back, moved to the middle of my hip, moved to the side of my hip, traveled to my hip flexor and my inner thigh, and today it seems to be focused mid glute. Every day is an adventure with this injury!



I never dreamed I would be out of commission for for a week or more when I ignored my body's warning signs. This has been an excellent lesson. :)

NEW NEWS: The date for my PT test is April 23! Plenty of study to be done between then and now. Please send lots of positive vibes my way!

What I am "F'd Up!" about today! Back Issues and Candelight Yoga

Thanks for all the well-wishes! I love my blog family!

Okay- back issues. I am semi happy to report that I can very slowly touch my toes and pick things up off the ground again. PROGRESS. I also didn't take any ibuprofen today, and have just been relying on my heat pad and yoga. Glorious yoga, fixer and healer!

While at my job on Thursday evening, the first thing a customer did was elbow me in the small of the back. I likened it to getting a scratch on a new car- you're so careful and cautious and sometimes stuff happens. And then you deal with it from there. I knew that I couldn't exist in a plastic bubble and call sick into work and wallow in my own misery. Wallowing would probably pull something anyway.

On Thursday I attempted X Stretch from the P90X series, and it was a little too vigorous for my state. The minute we went into Sun Salutations and I had to swan dive I thought my pelvis was sutured to my spine. So, I dug through the Foster Fitness "archives" (my big storage trunk chocked full of my fitness DVDs) and found a little gem that has saved my life: Crunch Candlelight Yoga featuring Sara Ivanhoe. I did it yesterday and today and I know it is the reason why I can now flex from the trunk!

Sara Ivanhoe has a relaxed, patient voice and is a good cuer. The yoga moves are very basic- cat/cow pose, downward dog, child's pose, tree pose. No super twisty bendy moves- the entire purpose of the DVD is to get you to relax. It would be great to do before bed, or even first thing in the morning if you need something to relax you into your day. It is also only 43 minutes in length, which is great if you don't have a ton of time to commit to a practice.

When I did it Friday, I could barely tilt forward and it hurt to sit in cross-legged position. Today there was mild discomfort, but I could handle it and I could tilt forward. And like I said, no pills! I don't like taking pills. I plan on doing it everyday until I feel back up and ready to tackle that last week of Insanity. MY PLAN is to be doing it this week. Let's hope the back cooperates.

Day 31 and 32: Insanity Challenge- RECOVERY WEEK

I had a snow day on my blog! Wasn't that show of force by mother nature something else? HOO. That's why I love having a workout regime that I can do at home. Even with a gym membership, working out at home is smart! There is never any excuse you can use when your workout room is in front of your television.

I'm still in recovery with Insanity (sorry, just was watching Celebrity Rehab) and I feel myself getting stronger every day. I'm not the only one who is noticing- my boyfriend commented on my obliques being more pronounced. And during my bloaty lady time! That's a huge accomplishment.

If you are inspired to workout now, here is a link for some fabulous yoga poses you can do anytime, anywhere- and right now! Happy Thursday!!!

Apartment Fitness: Trudie Styler's Warrior Yoga

(Read the article on examiner.com!)

There have been many media reports about Sting and his wife Trudie Styler and their love for all things yoga. According to a 2005 interview with the Times Online UK, Mrs. Sting does two hours of yoga daily: An amazing feat for any 52-year-old. It is no surprise then that Styler would pair up with leading yoga workout DVD producer Gaiam for her aptly titled "Trudie Styler's Warrior Yoga" (Gaiam, $14.98).

Styler herself does not lead the video: It is instead led by her yoga instructor and fitness guru James D'Silva in voice over format. Styler and D'Silva perform the routine on the lawn of her "eco-friendly" estate in Italy. The scenery is lush and tranquil and really puts you in the mood to relax and exhale. To up the cool factor, the workout is underscored by Sting's own music: "Fields of Gold" and "Message in a Bottle" are slowed down to a yogic pace.

I found the routine to be really different from most yoga DVDs I own. There were fresh combinations: No boring sun salutations here. Although the selection is entitled "warrior", it is based on the warrior pose. It is not aggressive in the slightest.

The combination is performed all on one side of the body, and then again on the second side. There is not a lot of repetition. I find you do not have to have an advanced knowledge of yoga to perform the routine, but there is not a lot of explanation on D'Silva's part. Besides the 45 minute Warrior Workout, there is also a 25 minute express option which promises "a total-body strengthening workout and the mind-body connection you crave" in a shorter block of time.

Buying this DVD will not only make you feel good inside and out: This purchase also benefits the Unicef Ecuador water project. I would expect this from the couple who has championed so many eco-friendly causes. It would make a fabulous addition to any yogi's fitness routine.

Holiday Fitness Gift Ideas, aka Don't Buy Me a Sweater

(Original article with links to gifts is here at examiner.com!)

Need ideas for the Black Friday shopping rush? The gift of health and fitness is something that everyone needs! Here are some hot items to pick up for the ones you love.

Kettlebells: Although they've been around for years, the kettlebell trend is picking up speed in health clubs and at home fitness. These weighted wonders provide a way to work the muscles with a fuller range of motion than traditional free weights. The Body Solid Kettlebell set from Sears offers 6 Kettlebells in 5 pound increments (up to 30 pounds) for $199.50. Target is offering the GoFit Kettlebell set: A 10 pound kettlebell in fashionable yellow with a companion Core DVD for $29.99.

If you already own kettlebells, there are many DVDs that feature the tool. Collagevideo.com offers 8 different videos for all different fitness levels. My favorites are Amy Bento's Kettlebell Dynamics and Kettlebell Bootcamp with Angie Miller.

Heart Rate Monitors: Nothing says, "I care for your heart!" like a great heart rate monitor. There are many varieties on the market: Wireless, chest straps, time tellers, and calorie calculators. The most basic version is the Polar Fs1, which comes with a chest strap and tells time in addition to having stopwatch functions. On Amazon.com, it is $49.99. If you are pulling out all the bells and whistles, the Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS wirelessly tracks heart rate, speed, distance, pace, and calories burned. It also tracks your run with built in GPS. At Saks Fifth Avenue, it is $289.00.

Yoga Equipment: Escape the stress of the holiday season and start the new year in nirvana with yoga. Gaiam.com offers beautiful yoga mats in a rainbow of colors and designs. Target.com offers a beginners yoga kit from Spri that has a mat, yoga blocks, strap, and DVD for $37.99. Lucy.com is featuring yoga pants, tops, and tunics with free shipping during the holiday season.

Nintendo Wii: This game console is sure to be a winner with every member of the family. Not only for traditional video games, the Wii offers many fitness titles, from the hugely popular Wii Fit and newly released Wii Fit Plus, to EA Sports Active Personal Trainer and The Biggest Loser. The Wii console has a new lower price of $199.99, and the Wii Fit Plus with balance board costs $89.99 at BarnesandNoble.com.

Jump ropes, resistance bands, and food diaries are small, inexpensive, and fantastic stocking stuffers. If all else fails, remember that a pair of walking shoes are all you need to get your holidays off on the right foot!

30 Day Shred Challenge: Day 5

DAY 5!!! Only 25 days left, and I know that everyone participating in this challenge is getting better, stronger, fitter, leaner every passing day!

I thought today was going to be rough because I had a hard time going to sleep last night. Paranormal Activity scared me more than I thought it would and I had to watch two episodes of the Graham Norton Show to feel comfortable enough to turn my lights off. That's what happens when your boyfriend quotes the movie while you are trying to sleep. No sleep at all. For either of us.

However, I woke up with the sun shining and the birds chirping and I was full of energy. I completed Level 1 of the Shred with the increased weights again, and did Patricia Moreno's Yoga Dance Fusion express workout. Patricia is one of my heroes and and one of the main reasons why I want to be fitness professional- this workout is AMAZING.

I am feeling centered and focused, ready to Shred my day. BRING IT ON!