What happened to "going organic"?

I know, I know.  I haven't made huge strides on the organic front yet, but I'm trying!  It's tough.  I really need to educate myself and that takes time – something I'm lacking right now. Good news is that I've started making some small changes.  Baby steps people, baby steps.  

3 steps so far:

• I've switched to organic whole milk

• I'm buying organic fruit (eating an apple right now actually. yum, tastes so much better) haha

• I have actually stopped using splenda in my coffee (that's a BIG step).  I'm using the natural brown sugar now.  

As soon as I hit the road, this movement will be in full swing!

Theme song??

Great friend proposed to me that I need a theme song for my "re-invention"!!  Great idea! Thanks, Blake.  

Any suggestions??

Today's forecast

Today's forecast: golf ball size hail today (is beating down on my head). I need someone to please pack for me!

yoga | om yoga factory anti-gravity wings

Today I decided it was time to give ANTI-GRAVITY WING yoga a try. Looks interesting that's for sure!  I was definitely intrigued. I did a quick google search and it seems that only two spots in NYC offer the anti-gravity wings – Crunch Fitness and Om Yoga Factory.  Since I already began my challenge with a trip to Crunch, I decided to give Om a try.  I had to see for myself whether or not this was just another trendy yoga fad.

Location: Om Yoga Factory  265 West 37th Street @ 8th Ave. 17th Fl.

Cost: $14 ($60 mins) $17 (90 mins) Packages available.

Venue: small, intimate, personal. 

Class: AntiGravity Yoga Wings

Class size:  Only 7 (great size!) 6 gals and one dude

Level: Open

Description: AntiGravity yoga principles with elements from aerial acrobatics, dance, pilates and calisthenics. Helps students realign their body and spirit with the tool of gravity that serves to achieve physical and mental decompression. You will learn to fly, hold and balance in challenging yoga poses longer, gain better kinesthetic awareness, build cardiovascular and muscular strength, become more flexible, increase joint mobility, decompress the vertebrae of the spine without strain and utilize the agility you've gained from yoga to play with gravity.

Summary:  Thumbs up!  What is an Anti-Gravity Wing? Think of your bedroom sheets hanging from the ceiling – that's your "wing". The "wings" are definitely a bit intimidating at first, but once you get used to them, they become easier to manipulate. 

The "wings" allow you to lengthen and deepen into your poses more than traditional yoga. It's like a yoga belt on steroids. The feeling was invigorating.  It's definitely a trendy fad, but I really enjoyed it. It's a nice break from traditional yoga and it gives you the chance to swing around like a little kid and fly through the air. How often can you do that? If you've always regretted the fact that you didn't join the circus when you were young, well then this class is for you. After a couple of years, I think Cirque de Soleil will come calling. Our instructor could very well be part of the show!  I should have asked her – maybe I could have gotten tickets. 

Chicken "wings": I was heading home after my invigorating "wing" class when I got a text from one of my best guy friends, Matt.  One of the best looking, coolest guys around. :) Matt has this uncanny way of always being at a bar in my neighborhood just when I'm about to go home and need to go home.  Once he mentioned he was at MacAleer's, I immediately started fantasizing about their amazing chicken wings... hence the "chicken wing" reference.  Not exactly the ideal post workout meal of champions, and certainly NOT organic, but I had to go.  What followed was an evening of wings, beer and dating advice!  Matt and Paul have volunteered to be my go-to-guys for "dude" advice on the road.  I'm flattered, but a little scared.  Matt and Paul are both single by the way.  Should be interesting!!

Today's Forecast

Today's forecast: Hurricane "moving" has struck my apartment and left massive destruction in its wake.

yoga | pure yoga nyc

I had decided back in February that I was going to FINALLY start taking more yoga. Knowing nothing, I contacted 2 popular yoga studios on the UWS – Yogaworks and Pure Yoga West.  Cassie, a sales girl from Pure Yoga, couldn't be sweeter and stayed patient with me as I would schedule a "free introductory class" with her and inevitably have to cancel – because of "no time". Well, it was finally time to give PURE a try, so I contacted Cassie.  Cassie was more than happy to schedule me for my free demo class.  I like "Free".

Location: Pure Yoga (West) 204 W. 77th St. @ Amsterdam Ave.

Cost: FREE introductory class. Contact Cassie Hanley to schedule 212.877.2025
Expensive.  Memberships can run up to $180 per month. 

Venue: Breathtaking; spotless; trendy; sceney. 

Class: Basics 1

Class size:  Thankfully class wasn't crowded this particular evening (6:30pm Tues).  Mats are already laid out and positioned right on top of each other.  If the class was full, it would be a little too close for comfort for me. 

Level: Beginner (I definitely needed "beginner" today as I am still sore from Trapeze!)

Description: An iyengar inspired introduction to the fundamentals of yoga with an explanation of the postures combined with correct breathing techniques. Class is conducted at a more relaxed pace where students are encouraged to ask questions. Ideal for first timers to yoga.

Summary: As soon as I entered the PURE YOGA, I realized this place was a little to posh for me. They've spared no expense – from the purified, filtered water fountains, to the manicured plants and the cozy lounge areas, the place is breathtaking.  As gorgeous as it was, it wasn't for me. Trendy and sceney are the two words that come to mind. I'm still new to yoga, but the essence of the practice seems to be lost here. I much prefer the Practice Yoga, where the yoga seems more pure -- ironic I would use that word.  Again, this is all subjective. This place is a perfect haven for some people. I would imagine they see their fair share of celebrities and socialites. I personally, was a bit uncomfortable. Although it wasn't perfect for me, it might be perfect for you. What I'm learning is that you have to try all sorts of venues to see what environment speaks to you. I do envision this place going nationwide – Kinda like Starbucks. 

flying trapeze | nyc

Clumsy with (very brief) moments of grace!

Let me begin by saying that I have a paralyzing fear of heights!!  I'm happy to bomb down a double black on my snowboard; however, you will NEVER catch me on a roller coaster!  And bungee jumping -- completely out of the question.  You couldn't pay me a million $$ to bungee jump!  I would die of a heart attack on the platform, so the money would be of no use to me!  That being said, I've always had this twisted desire to do trapeze!!?

I talked my friend Tanya into taking an outside trapeze class with me at the NY Trapeze School (which didn't take any arm twisting at all).  Tanya is a nurse but can very well pursue a career in the circus now! She was amazing. Me on the other hand – watch the video and see for yourself!!  When you see me on the platform, just imagine your heart is in your throat, you're shaking uncontrollably and your eyes are filled with tears (making it hard to see, which just added to my emotional meltdown). Now you have the complete picture. It's not pretty. Btw, when I get hit in the head with the rope, it actually hurt – a little! 

Although it wasn't pretty, the experience was exhilarating!  Can't believe I did it.  Totally awesome and I highly recommend it!  I was without question the least skilled and most spastic in the class, but everyone was so incredibly supportive! It was great!

Btw, for those of you who have seen Tropic Thunder, this is an excellent example of someone going FULL RETARD!

Today's Forecast

Today's forecast: (brain is) foggy with some gradual clearing in the afternoon! (hopefully)

yoga | practice yoga nyc uws

I started my morning off by calling the cable company to cancel service.  Thought that would be an easy enough task to check off my list!! Right?  Amazing how rude these folks can me.  They blatantly came right out and told me that if I was upgrading my service, they would be more than happy to have a service technician come out this week; however, since I'm canceling service, it would take at least 2 weeks for an appointment?! Really?! I was definitely in need of some yoga after that conversation!!!  

I was still in pain from my moronic foray in "Yoga Extreme" yesterday, so I popped 2 advil and heading out for a "beginner class". 

Location: Practice Yoga 140 W. 83rd Street NYC 

Cost: $20 per class ($15 lunch time express / $12 students). Packages available.

Venue:  Small, private, intimate, personal

Class: Beginner / intermediate 

Class size: 7 (6 girls and one guy)

Teacher: Very very helpful and intuitive. She's located directly in the "middle" of the room so it's easy to follow all of her moves and instruction.  I've never done a "head-stand" as it's always been a very intimidating move; however, she made me feel so comfortable and confident that I got it right away!  Btw, headstands are exhilarating!  Who knew!?  

Level: Level 1+2 

Description: A class for students with a basic understanding of the yoga practice, who are looking to enhance their study. Focus will be on correct alignment of poses and breath-work.

Summary:  I've walked by this little yoga shop a million times over the past five years and never even gave it a second thought.  It really doesn't look like much from the outside, but as soon as you walk into the studio you're taken a back by its charm. The space is a tranquil, cozy retreat.  "A little piece of heaven on the UWS".  This is exactly what I needed today.  This was my first trip to a non "gym" setting for yoga, and I realize now what I've been missing.  At first I was anxious as I looked around for a "clock" and realized they didn't have one!  I also left my apartment without my watch or my blackberry, so this was gonna be tough!  I'm always racing to be somewhere so this "new me" was going to be an adjustment. 

The back wall of the room is paneled by sliding glass doors that lead to a deck -- a RARE find in NYC.  It was a breezy day and the doors were perched partially open to allow a soft, cool breeze into the room. I even heard birds chirping!!!  I'm not kidding!  I had to focus for a moment to confirm, and yes, they were birds! I definitely know the difference between a firetruck and a bird!  

The yoga was delivered in a slow relaxed pace, yet my muscles were definitely working and my limbs were becoming more limber! 

Love this place and would highly recommend it!

Meet Lulu, my downward dog!

testing out the new flip cam so decided to use lu as my guinea pig! technically challenged so everything takes me longer to figure out!! never uploaded a video before and it's proving to be difficult!! ahhhhh this is about my 10th attempt.