HOPE I SEE YOU IN CLASS IN JANUARY

Just in time for those New Year’s Resolutions, take class with me at INNER LIGHT STUDIO in New Haven, USA:

• TUES/THUR 7:30-8:30AM – FAT BURNING FUSION FLOW, starting Tuesday, January 5th. This before-work workout is 60minutes of seamless, mindful cardio that’ll tone and de-stress too. *Must pre-register, space is limited. Email Bonnie at innerlightstudio@sbcglobal.net. $150/10classes.
• WEDNESDAY 5:45-6:45PM – BAREFOOT CARDIO, starting Wednesday January 6th. This after-work workout is 60minutes of a faster paced flow, where you’ll burn fat and expel the stress of the day. Focus is on breathing, alignment and making the mind/body connection. * No pre-registration necessary, just walk on in.

Monday Musing

Roxy (my dog) was kicked by a horse! We were out for a hike, she was off leash and yapped at this beautiful big horse while standing underneath it’s tail and she was walloped, flew in the air like a rag doll and landed, looked lifeless. Then, she “came to” and, today, is fine – didn’t lose any teeth but I’m sure she had a horrible headache for a day or two. My point of saying this is this: this dog knows how to really live. Of course she pays the price (a.k.a, a bruised jaw) but she’s the stuff of legends. She had been sprayed by a skunk. She’s been stuck in muck and I needed to wade into knee deep mud and rescue her. (This summer, Roxy excited a wasp’s nest and you can imagine what happened there!) None of this stops her from going out into the world again, for this she is a great teacher. We all get figuratively kicked by a horse every now and again, but let’s not let it stop us from going out into the world again.

On another note, I received an adorable email with the subject header: OHMYGOSH “I just received Fusion Flow today and I loved it. It is, absolutely, workout perfection! Just when I thought Barefoot Cardio was pure joy and bliss…I have found this workout! I love all the dvd’s in the Studio series but I really, really love this one! Thank you sooo much for creating this dvd. It really is perfect for all levels! Happy Holidays!”

We appreciate when you take time to write us (you can always contact us at studio@ellenbarrett.com).

SKINNY SCULPT, the next DVD, will be available in late January 2010. We will keep you updated here on the FIT+FAB blog.

The Girl Effect

Take the time to click here. THE GIRL EFFECT, n. : The powerful social and economic change brought about when a girl is given the opportunity to participate.

Socialworkout.com Interview

I spoke with the folks at socialworkout.com, a blog dedicated to all things fitness. Click here to read what came out of my (unfiltered) mouth!

Here’s My Upcoming Teaching Schedule, FYI

• This Saturday, November 7th, from 1-3pm, I’ll be in Bloomfield, Connecticut teaching a FUSION FITNESS instructor training workshop at GOLD’s Gym. Open to people currently teaching group exercise. There are five spots available as of today (Wednesday), so if you are interested, call Program Director, Julie Miller at 860.817.6450.
• Sunday, November 15th, from 10:30-11:45am I’ll be teaching BAREFOOT CARDIO at Sid Jacobson JCC in East Hills, New York. Space is still available, call Heidi Roussis to register at 516.484.1545, extension #109. * DVDs will be available for purchase at the event.
• Starting Tuesday November 17th, I’ll be teaching another 10 class series at Inner Light Studio in New Haven, CT on Tuesday/Thursday mornings at 7:30-8:30am. Pre-registration is mandatory as space is limited. To register, call Bonnie at 203.562.2833.
• Wednesday, December 9th, tune into Sirius Radio Channel 112, Martha Stewart’s Whole Living show with Terri Trespicio at 10am-11am. I’ll be on air, taking caller’s fitness questions, and discussing BAREFOOT CARDIO (why barefoot?).
• Starting Wednesday evening, January 6, 2010, I’ll be teaching a permanent class once/week at 5:45-6:45pm at Inner Light Studio in New Haven, CT. Pre-registration in NOT necessary. Hope to see you in class! I’ll be teaching the invigorating, yet calming, FUSION FLOW.

Way To Go Venezuela…

…I hope that at some point the rest of the world does the same thing. Click here to read what I’m talking about. (I know, I know, it’s a mandate from Hugo Chavez…but he’s not banning Coke, just Coke Zero.)

P.S. The BEST (calorie free) beverage is water.

Can’t Get Any Cuter!

My friend Kim in San Diego just sent me these pics of her three kids doing the FAT BURNING FUSION DVD. She said that they were really “into it” and 2 out of the 3 kids finished the whole workout (45minutes worth of moving!). They’ve got good form too.

The big take away with this for me is point of view. From a child’s perspective, popping in this exercise dvd is a fun activity, not an “oh, I’ve gotta workout now” chore.  

Thus, I hope you workout like a child today EB

Exercise Mat Management

Let Mother Nature take care of your yoga mat! You don’t need fancy spray or detergents. Here’s what I do (and I’ve done this for over 10 years and my yoga mats have never deteriorated):

First, I have three mats that I rotate. One is in use while the other two are hanging on my deck getting rained on OR hanging in the guest bathroom shower. Second, I use unscented castile soap (Dr.Bronner’s Magic Soap is a good brand) and warm water. Remember, your face is up close to your mat and you don’t need to breath in cleaning chemicals. I use castile soap as my own soap and as Sophie & Roxy’s (the dogs) soap. (No funky perfumes for us!) Third, sunshine, sunshine, sunshine! My mats “lay out” in the sun for an hour or so and be sure to sun both sides. Sunlight is anti-bacterial and as with bed linens, gives a fresh air smell that I love. Four, I don’t store my mats rolled up. Try to lay them flat or hang them from a ledge. Five, be possessive of your mat. Don’t let your husband, your kids, your friends “borrow” your mat. They’ll taint it with their energy and their energy may be good or bad but it’s not YOUR energy….your mat is “a room of one’s own”.

Top 10 Things I learned About the Human Body From My Pre and Post Natal Experience

1. It’s impossible to have good posture without core strength.
2. The “core” is not just abs – it’s also the glutes, lower back, obliques, upper back and lats…it’s the whole torso actually.
3. Exercising on little sleep is a recipe for disaster! 
4. If you are too tired to officially workout, just sit on the floor and do some simple stretches…maybe a gentle spine twist or hang out in child’s pose for a few minutes. 
5. I didn’t feel as though being fit helped me with labor, BUT being fit helped me “bounce back from baby” more easily. The labor part…whoa (!)…I think women are born with a deep strength, mental and physical, that gets unearthed during labor and delivery. It really can’t be “trained” for. (Oh, I know I’m going to hear about this one)
6. We put too much emphasis on dropping pregnancy pounds and not enough emphasis on restoring energy. I believe if you restore energy, you will drop the lbs without struggle. Many women are not given the chance to restore their energy because they have to return to a career too soon or don’t have enough child care support. 
7. Are you tired all the time? Cold when your have 8 layers of clothing on?Out of breath more than you should be? You may be iron deficient. Anemia is rampant in American women and it need not be. Get more iron (spinach!) and watch yourself be so much stronger.
8. Carrying excess weight – even if it’s temporary – is extremely demanding on one’s knees, ankles and feet. If someone is 10lbs or more beyond their ideal weight, hi-impact activities (like running) should be avoided because it’s likely to damage those areas, immediately or over time. Try low-impact activities like yoga, walking, spinning and swimming instead. 
9.  I believe in chiropractors now. If you feel like your alignment is “off,” get an adjustment. (Some “naturopathic” doctors do alignment work too.)
10. Women are undoubtedly the stronger sex. 

    I’m back teaching classes again and I feel very “mortal” as I am very achy the next day! But, on the flip side, I am learning so much by experiencing this process and my compassion for my fellow females has increased. Do you have anything to add to this list?  

The Way to Get to the Top is to Get Off Your Bottom:)

I just read an article about how TV watching is at an all-time high. Americans now watch more than 151 hours of TV a month. I think that statistic has a lot to do with unemployment being up and the weather being horrific this time of year….I say, “great, stay home where it’s safe and warm, but maybe try to get off the couch a bit.” Click here to read my latest Lifetime.com column that gives you at-home fitness inspiration.sheltonave_1pager_final

ADDITION TO ORIGINAL POST: (Of course, you can always get fit and sustain a high level of fitness with at-home exercise DVDs!)