Category Archives: FIT + WELL

EIGHT LAUNCHES MEDITATION APP FOR BETTER SLEEP

February 24, 2017

You may have noticed on my Instagram lately that I am all about upping my mediation game, any time I can. Lord knows I need to chill. I am super excited to learn about this new technology mattress company that is improving what we all do, sleep.

The Eight Smart Mattress is a highly comfortable mattress with a technology layer that tracks not only your sleep patterns but also your bedroom environment. The Eight app provides feedback each night to regulate your bed temperature, lights door locks, and even your coffee machine.    

I have been using meditation apps lately and am enlightened to learn that Eight partnered with Simple Habit  to introduce their 7-day Sleep Meditations series, in iOS, and Android. Meditation exercises are now made available to all Eight users who use their app to view sleep stats and wake up to a smart alarm.

 

Learn more about the app here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t3je5-Leco&feature=youtu.be

Not only will I be stepping my totally lame sleep game up (hello insomnia!), I’ll also be able to stay sleep fit and productive while doing so. The Eight Sleep tracker will tell you your nightly sleep data to improve your rest as well as having warming capabilities, home integration and an even smart alarm. The sheets are made of all organic cotton that create the cool, soft and breathable affect to create the perfect sleep experience, sold.

Eight is affordable and allows you a 100-night trial so you can try all their products but I guarantee you won’t want to sleep on this product. #sorrynotsorry #couldntresist

www.eightsleep.com

HUM Supplements : Beauty Starts WITHIN

February 19, 2017

I am over the moon about all things HUM !

I read this article in GOOP, by Dr. Frank Lipman the other day and flipped – I realized I needed some D BADLY! I asap hopped over to HUM and scooped up:

HERE COMES THE SUN ($10)

boosts D3 deficient bodies
  • High Potency vitamin D3
  • Perfectly dosed for busy professionals

Dr. Frank Lipman on Vitamin D Deficiency via GOOP

For the last 30 years or so, doctors (dermatologists in particular), health officials, beauty experts, and many product companies have been demonizing the sun. They’ve told us to avoid it because without sunscreen, exposure to the sun’s rays will damage skin and cause cancer. But this oversimplification distorts the facts. In the past few years, numerous studies have shown that optimizing your Vitamin D levels may actually help prevent as many as 16 different types of cancer including pancreatic, lung, breast, ovarian, prostate, and colon cancers. And the best way to optimize Vitamin D levels is through safe, smart and limited sunscreen-free exposure to the sun.

For hundreds of thousands of years, man has lived with the sun: Our ancestors were outdoors far more often than indoors. We developed a dependence on sunshine for health and life, so the idea that sunlight is dangerous does not make sense. How could we have evolved and survived as a species, if we were that vulnerable to something humans have been constantly exposed to for their entire existence? Is it possible that our bodies are made in such a way that the sun is really a lethal enemy? Not in my opinion. Like all living things, we need sunshine, and it feels good for a reason. Much as plants harness the sun’s rays through photosynthesis, our bodies use sunlight to help the skin produce the Vitamin D it needs to build bones, quell inflammation, bolster the immune system and protect against cancer (including skin cancer).

Let the Sun Shine In

Western medicine has made a practice of telling us to abstain from things that are bad for us in extreme quantities, when in fact those same things⎯fat, salt, and sunshine for example⎯are very good for us when consumed wisely and in moderation. In the case of sunshine, our UV paranoia is contributing to a silent epidemic: Vitamin D deficiency. It’s silent because most people don’t know they are deficient. And it’s deadly, because this deficiency can lead to cancer and a multitude of other diseases. But we’ve demonized the sun and been brainwashed into believing that even small amounts will harm us. We are told to slather on sunscreen whenever we are in the sun, which blocks Vitamin D production and exacerbates the Vitamin D deficiency induced by our modern, indoor lives.

Studies show that as many as three out of four Americans suffer from Vitamin D deficiency. A study published in 2009 in the Archives of Internal Medicine (a leading scientific journal), found that 70% of Caucasians, 90% of Hispanics and 97% of African Americans in the US have insufficient blood levels of Vitamin D. Indeed, it’s thought to be the most common medical condition in the world, affecting over one billion people and we now have research showing just how essential Vitamin D is to health.

U.S. and Norwegian researchers have found that people who live in higher latitudes are more prone to Vitamin D deficiency and more prone to developing common cancers and dying of them. It’s now thought that this is due in part to the body’s inability to make enough activated Vitamin D to help regulate cell growth and to keep cell growth in check. Independent scientific research has shown that whether you live in a sunny or not-so-sunny climate, exposure to the sun and its UVB radiation will increase your production of Vitamin D and help lower the risk of a host of debilitating and fatal diseases—including many cancers, heart disease, high blood pressure, Type I diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and depression.

And now the experts are concerned that we’re passing an epidemic of Vitamin D deficiency down to a new generation. Studies have shown that Vitamin D deficiency may imprint on an infant for the rest of his/her life. Infants that are deficient at birth can remain Vitamin D deficient for the first several months after birth, which may put them at risk of developing many chronic diseases much later in life.

Head over to GOOP for the full article.

HUM is the easiest site and best brand to grab all your beauty supplements.  Here are some of their other amazing supplements.

The Oaks Ojai for a Solo Spa Retreat

February 17, 2017

The Oaks Ojai  is a totally old school spa and I love it – just like Ojai – down to earth and serving nothing but realness.  I am obsessed with Ojai (who isn’t?) and this spa reeks of Ojai history.  I went solo for a couple of days of healthy, clean eating, and QUIET – perfect to clear and rejuvenate my mind, body, soul. And oh did I. It was BLISS.

I had a fantastic massage, ate super clean and simple food, watched small groups of ladies do pool aerobics ( I was recovering from minor surgery – don’t ask –  so I took it way easy!) I forgot my bikini – no prob I walked around in a robe and undies and no one noticed or cared or even looked twice. The chef will work your diet very specifically. I really felt like I was in the 70’s for some reason and loved every bit of it. The women at the desk so amazing. It felt like camp.

My casita was gorgeous – totally private and my little Spanish villa to myself. I confess to spending half my time in the enormous tub.

The Oaks Ojai is majorly unpretentious and perfect for a mother-daughter getaway. The crowd was not your uber-snobby LA wellness workout warrior freaks – but just normal women or all shapes and sizes. Many were older too, so once again, a great for a mom-daughter thing.

They have lots of event weekends (hikes, yoga, etc.

Make sure to check out upcoming programs.

And let’s not forget the town of Ojai is dreamy. You can step out and you are right in the center of it! SO MUCH GOODNESS EVERYWHERE!


Wasn't kidding about walking around totally comfy just like THIS! 

Jordan Spieth and Kelly Rohrbach show off their skills in the new Under Armour Spieth One golf shoe in Malibu.

February 14, 2017

Last night, Under Armour and Jordan Spieth celebrated the third stop of the Spieth One Global Tour at an intimate event in Malibu, CA. Jordan was joined by actress, model (and avid golfer) Kelly Rohrbach, and his long-time swing coach Cameron McCormick at the iconic Nobu Malibu to honor the global launch of his first signature shoe, the Spieth One.

 

Kelly and Jordan participated in a Q&A with the beautiful California sunset as the background. The pair discussed Jordan’s recent victory at Pebble Beach this weekend – his first victory wearing the Spieth One – his partnership with Under Armour, and how he worked closely with UA to develop his first signature shoe. Jordan and Kelly also talked about Jordan’s recent trip to Asia for the first two stops of the Spieth One Global Tour in Tokyo and South Korea. While in Asia, Jordan was able to experience the global love for the game of golf as he interacted with fans, media, partners, and students. A highlight reel of the Asia trip can be found here.

To wrap up the event, Jordan’s swing coach Cam McCormick joined the group and gave some insightsinto their relationship on and off the course. He also shared some key tips with the audience and Jordan praised Cam for teaching him how to overcome hurdles and honing his craft over time. Cam then challenged Kelly and Jordan to a little putting game called “Crash the Gate” that Cam uses to help Jordan with short game skill development. Kelly, a former Georgetown University golfer, held her own against the 2-time major champion, sinking all four putts. 

Photo credit:  Under Armour

Y7 A Tribe Called Sweat : Melrose

February 9, 2017

Yoga For People Who Put On Gangsta Rap and Handle It

— Vogue

I just took my first real yoga class since I had my bilateral hip replacements (last one in 2012) and it was amazing. I am a certified Hatha Yoga instructor and back in 2000 I made a living solely teaching all around town and privates (ok full disclosure I was on a TV series too cause teaching more than 10 classes a week is HARD so that kinda helped). So I’ve been terrified to take a class with my metallic hips, worried one, or both, might pop. And even though I teach spinning and my own signature fitness class, there are too many counter-intuitive poses that scare the F out of me in yoga.

Alas, it was time. I needed to get back on the mat. And indeed it did at Y7  where a trifecta of love came together for me last Saturday morning in True’s class.

Hip-hop and dry heat and sweat.

The class was not too fast (thank god), but rather a deep slow, challenging burn and in the dark with only candles to keep things aglow. The music was not all hip hop, but perfect for a Saturday morning when I had to go on to teach two classes of my own. The sweat was unreal, the people – lovely, friendly, unpretentious (!!!) and REAL. This was not pixie yoga dust annoyingness (I’ve been there. I WAS ONE!). Nope. Y7 has a real-deal NYC vibe which was so refreshing – the yogi thing is so oversaturated in LA that it’s become a parody. This place is free of all of it. YAY! To say this place is my jam is an understatement. I cannot wait to go back!

Y7 Mission:

WE FLOW HARD™

At Y7 we do things differently. We give you 60 minutes of intensity combined with heat and strength complemented by deep breathing and a calming of the mind. We ask you to step outside the chaos and embrace the fire inside. You’ll flow along to the latest beats. There are no mirrors in the candle-lit studios. The darkness, the sounds, and the heat will take you to a place you’ve never before been. Join us for the best hour of your day. Leave here feeling strong, clear and ready to take on whatever the city has in store for you. Take a class and never look back.

WE FLOW HARD™ VINYASA

60 MINUTES

Vinyasa is mindful movement. We flow through our sequences with intention, braiding postures together that will open, stretch and restore your body from the inside-out. Each class will help link breath and movement, deepen the connection of mind and body, and bring a greater consciousness to your subtle body. We will peel back the layers through a smart and safe yoga sequence, carefully choreographed to music that ranges from The Weeknd to Stevie Wonder. We ask that you come with an open mind, stripped of any and all expectations you carry of yourself, and take an hour long vacation of body exploration, transformation and movement.
All levels welcome.

WE FLOW HARD™ SLOW BURN

60 MINUTES

Different than Y7’s Vinyasa class, Slow Burn works toward not only reaching our edge, but surpassing it. This class is slower than a typical Y7 Vinyasa class, as the teacher guides you deeper and deeper into a carefully selected series of postures. We will focus on foundation and structure within our movement, while mindfully tackling some of the master asanas. With a deeper emphasis on both the necessity and support our breath allots us as practitioners, we will use pranayama to both inspire our movement and guide our mind. Although we aren’t flowing as fast, please come prepared to sweat, work, breathe and finally, to restore. This is a great class to take in the evenings when you’re ready to turn off and tune in. All levels welcome.

PRIVATE INSTRUCTION

Private and small group instruction is available by appointment – and is ideal for those with specific physical goals or constraints, athletic teams and corporate business employees.  Email hi@y7-studio.com to book.

Address: 8270 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Phone: (818) 425-8448