YogaFit!


In 2012, it became a goal for me to start teaching fitness classes again.  I was inspired by my Tone It Up trainers and truly missed the feeling of being in front of a class, helping people get healthy.  After much research, I decided that YogaFit was the absolute perfect fit for me.  With a personal training and group fitness background in a former life, YogaFit was the next step I needed to throw myself back into the fitness/wellness world.  So I am excited to share with everyone that my Level One certification is COMPLETE! And I'm so happy with the entire experience...and it has just begun!

I work a job Monday through Friday entrenched in Corporate America where the stress levels can be high and we often spend hours in front of our computers and sitting in meetings.  Knowing that this can do a number on your posture, overall body alignment, & focus, getting a deeper knowledge of how to teach Yoga seemed like a no-brainer. 

I signed up for a Level 1 Instructor Certification course with YogaFit in December.  I met some great people in the area and it was so refreshing to be around a group of people that all share the same passion and interest.  After I completed the course I had to teach 8 hours of community service, offering yoga to people that aren't normally exposed to yoga.  What better place to get my community hours in than in the Corporate environment?  Yoga is a great way for people to de-stress, unwind, breathe, and simply focus on themselves. 

THAT is what I wanted to promote with my community services classes. Anyone could participate and get something positive out of it.  To add to that, one of the philosophies of YogaFit is that it is Yoga for Everybody and Every Body.  I HAD to bring this into the office space.  I offered a few free classes right in our offices in downtown Manhattan, after work hours, and got a great turnout. 

The best part of holding these classes was the people that kept coming back for another class.  It made me feel like it was "working" for them and they were getting something out of it.  It also made me work harder to come up with sequences and flows that would help people learn, expand their practice, and not get bored.  So it was a learning experience for everyone involved.

What has been so great about this process is that although I have officially received my certification, my colleagues at work still request classes and I will be holding a few in Battery Park this summer, as the weather gets a little better.  Offering free classes has helped me become a better instructor and it is just plain fun to plan them and unwind after work.  And my co-workers see me in a different light!

So I just wanted to share my excitement:-) I hope to blog about more of my YogaFit experiences with everyone as I move on to Level 2 this summer!  If there are any YogaFit instructors out there that can share their experiences and tips, please reach out to me!

NAMASTE!

Spring Fever!

It was a long, cold, and snowy Winter here on the East Coast.  The fact that it's the first week in May and we've finally reached the 60s & 70s, is just crazy to me.  I remember years when I was in shorts at the end of March and April was really warm with flowers everywhere.  Not this year!  Needless to say, it's making me yearn for warmer nights, opening the windows, and finally putting away my coats and boots.  Spring and Summer are the perfect seasons for BBQs, outdoor runs, and light & healthy eats and cocktails. 

Today I'm doing my final long run before my 10K next weekend.  I'm happy to say the sun is out and we're supposed to be in 60s today.  I decided to do 7 miles today so that my 10K won't feel as tough!  There is something about running in NYC that makes me so happy and feel good about myself.  I have spent 6 years running in this city and I oddly feel like I have developed a connection with the different routes that I take.  They almost bring back memories of different times/different states of mind of my life over the past 6 years.  I also brought an old ipod along with me last weekend and I swear I was smiling as I was running, thinking of old memories.  Running is so therapeutic for me and it really has been a big part of my NYC life. Does anyone get this feeling about running?  I'm so very excited that the weather is finally giving me good running weather!! 

After I get through my 7miles today, I'm going on a hunt for fun Summer finds.  I do want this to be the best summer yet with lots of outdoor healthy eats with family and friends.  I'm on the lookout for picnic baskets, lemonade pitchers, etc.  Nothing beats a good backyard bbq with a bunch of friends or Sunday night dinner out on the balcony.  I plan to do plenty of those this summer with refreshing wine wines and fresh fruit infused cocktails.  I'll be sharing my finds and recipes on twitter and on here all throughout the summer. 

I get so much motivation from all of the woman I've created friendships with through Tone It Up.  The recipes I come across are things that I would never think of on my own. So I'm really anxious to see what I find this summer for dinners, get-togethers. I LOVE YOU TIU GIRLS!!!

Everyone have a great and productive weekend!  I hope the weather where you are is as beautiful as it is in NYC!  Get out there and enjoy it!