Don't let excuses stand in the way of meeting your fitness goals.

According to Idea Fitness Journal it is not that many of us aren't motivated to workout but more that our excuses are strong non-motivators. 

Here a few questions to ask your self about those obstacles that might derail your fitness goals.

!. What is the biggest obstacle for you?  Is it family, time, avoiding pain, or embarrasment?

2. What actions can you take to prevent those obstacles from occuring?  Is is finding an exercise partner, scheduling specific workout time with a trainer or scheduling a class?

3. When that obstacle gets in your way what can you do to get back on track? Book an appointment with a trainer or class, or usuing a reward system?

What ever your obstacle is try writing them down and making a plan for success, review and rewrite your goals and obstacles frequently.  Studies show that those who did write their goals everyday and reviewed their obstacles had a higher success rate than those that did not.

Make it your best fitness year ever.

Happy Holidays!

May the true meaning of the holidays fill your hearts and homes this year.  Take a moment to really listen to the stories the older members of the famiy have to share.  Observe and cherish a child who is truly emerged themselves in Christmas and all it's joy and excitement. Sit in silence as you reflect on a year that has passed and open your heart to all the possibilities of a year yet to come.

Happy Holidays everyone from our hearts to yours.

How to eat raw foods.

I was invited to a friends house last night for a demonstration on raw cooking.  The woman who taught the class, Joan Jackson, was fabulous.  She wasn't a cosmic new age type, but a lawyer who started eating raw foods in 2005 due to health issues that were slowly taking her life at an early age.  She lost 150 pounds in two years and has been eating raw foods ever since.  She didn't preach that it had to be 100% all the time but more of a stress free relaxed approach to preparing and eating raw foods which was very comfortable for me. In the few hours we were together she prepared a wonderful meal of granola, ceviche, tostadas and peach cheese cake all of which were fabulous although I could have eaten a bowl full of that ceviche. 

I am looking forward to bringing many of my garden items into my kitchen and preparing them with a different eye and knowledge.  I know it won't be easy being organized but have some experience as I am gluten and lactose free also so know that it takes a bit of time and energy but worth it to have wonderfully prepared meals within a short period of time.

I will keep you posted as to how it goes and resources that are available too.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and comments with me also. 

Pilates for the Equestrian 4

This video shows you how to perform the classical exercise 100.  This exercise is great for warming up the body, stabilizing the body while adding movement and challenging the core.  If you could only do one exercise a day I would suggest the 100.  Enjoy.

Welcome back Melissa.

We are so excited to have Melissa back teaching with us at the studio. Her skills and energy breath life into her class and into the space.

Born and raised in Hood River, Melissa Vovou has taught Pilates in Oregon, Las Vegas and New York. Drawing from a background as a professional dancer and certified massage therapist, she will use her knowledge of the body and eye for alignment to increase your understanding of your body, and help you build a strong core, flexibility, tone and stamina.