Good Morning Mission!

The greatly anticipated arrival of The Dailey Method in the heart of San Francisco is upon us!  Welcome Dailey Methies to a new neck of the woods at Market and Guerrero.  This marks a new era for San Francisco and I can only expect people to fall in love with this workout like they have across the state, country and beyond.  

The Grand Opening weekend was a smash hit with over 300 new clients gracing the threshold.  New studio deals are swirling about -- Bloomspot will be running a deal Sunday 11/6/11 so be sure to sign up and save some pennies.

What makes Dailey Method special is that its an efficient, dynamic, ever-evolving hour long workout with immediate results.  I love it.  Yes, of course I'm biased, however it truly is the one of the most well-rounded core-strengthening routines out there.  Rooted in kinesiology and proper alignment, the Method is not only effective, its also one of the safest, low-impact/ high-intensity workouts existing today.   Layer on a barre for stretching and balance, light weights for toning, and some rad groovin music and its a done deal.  

Brittany's new studio in the Mission-Castro area promises to be a fabulous edition to the Dailey Method studio family.  Located in a cultural hot spot, we'll help to keep the fire in the heart of SF lookin good.  Damn Gina - Check it out!

http://www.thedaileymethod.com/sfmissioncastro.html

Oh and of course, I teach Wednesday nights 5:45 and 7:00 (most weeks, so check the schedule online)... Petition for a midday class if you think it'll fit your schedule more because I like teaching the 11:00 & 12:15 times (duh, I also work at night!)...

See you at the barre bitches!

Countdown

Ah yet again, I am amazed by this woman.  Its pretty hard to beat Beyonce.  This magical video takes me to a place somewhere between West Side Story, band ballet class and a Gap ad.  I love it.  She really reminds me how I always wanted to be a cool modern dancer with cute Audrey Hepburn bangs... in a sexy black turtleneck and hot pink pumps. and fake eyelashes.

Besides, doesn't this Indian summer weather inspire a little splash of color in your downbeat?  Ladies go show your man you the flyist - ow ow!

Key Muscles of Movers and Shakers

http://www.amazon.com/Key-Muscles-Yoga-Scientific-Keys/dp/1607432382

Every mover and shaker that wants to have a better sense of what booty muscles are used in their trademark dance floor shake should grab this book... Oh yeah, and that also includes all yoginis, Dailey Methies, pilaties gurus and boot campers alike who want to figure out what the heck is going on under the skin.

I happen to be a very visual learner so this functional anatomical guide to the human body in various poses has had a significant affect on my personal workout practice.  It is an incredible visual aid to skeletal alignment and muscular connections.  If I can visualize what muscles are working during plank, I can better isolate and engage them therefore deepening each exercise.  Its fascinating!  

I don't think I can do all of this Muscle Man's yoga poses, but hey, ain't he pretty doin them?

Go Yoga Man!

Dailey Method Strikes Again

Ground breaking news!  4.0 Earthquake shakes up Berkeley and the Bay Area with its epicenter at the infamous corner of College and Ashby... Need I remind you all what else shares that locale? None other than the Dailey Method Berkeley.  Coincedence?  I think not!  Power Rangers are kickin' ass in Berkeley so come check out one of our classes and see what all the earth tremors are about :)

Read about the quake:
http://berkeley.patch.com/articles/three-quakes-and-a-fake-hit-berkeley#photo-8183963

Take a class and rock your world:
http://www.thedaileymethod.com/berkeley.html

Berkeley 4.0 Earthquake Epicenter 10/20/11

Berkeley Dailey Method Location.... 

Super natural. Super human.

A Minor Glitch in the Dailey Matrix

Well, after all that revelatory Saturday evening inspirations, apparently the wine and tequila weighed more on the Muertos than the Dias side of things the following Sunday.  Bad new is, I slipped off the Dailey wagon and missed a day of working out in the studio. I've lost some luster.  Some gusto. Probably a little street cred.  Technically I cannot say I've done 30 consecutive days of Dailey Method this month, because the 12th day was spoiled somewhere between a limited Sunday class schedule and the aftermath of mixing my spirits... Alas.

Lets be realistic shall we?  a) Its not the end of the world b) no need to throw in the towel now, I'm going to keep this Dailey challenge going towards a newly inspired 31 days now and c) eventually I'm going to try it all over again at some point and do consecutive 30 days.  Now, the moment when I slip up is a delicate and precarious point in any workout challenge or diet and it's easy to return to bad habits.  Rally on!

The good news is, I'm human and a determined, optimistic one at that.  So a little bump in the road doesn't mean you trash the whole plan.  Look at the big picture -- 30 days of working out is rad -- even if you miss one.... Let's see the forest for the trees and re-adjust with the grace and poise.    One of the most important things one can learn from any workout challenge is not only how to stay disciplined, but also how to recover from a slip off the plan.  Obviously the competitive nature of my 30 day Dailey goal is a primary reason why I've been getting my butt to so many classes these past two weeks. However lets not forget the more overarching big picture goals of creating more routine and daily structure for health and fitness in my everyday life.  Everyday I'm slowly creating stronger habits for healthier living.  Balance is key in order to maintain a sustainable healthy lifestyle- particularly in the mental approach to making changes!  I'm certainly not going to condemn a social glass of wine or celebratory splash of tequila.  However, if I'm seeking more balance, thoughtful choices are pre-requisite.


Time to gracefully get back on the horse and ride that pony into the sunset.  

Onwards and upwards~

Lydia

Carrot Juice for the Dead

Lets be honest.  There are many factors that contribute to the success of any exercise or health plan, including desire for results, discipline, time management, realistic goal-setting, supportive environment and relationships, competition... and of course good ole' fashioned carrot chasing-- as in a big shiny reward for all your hard work.  Of course, factors weigh in on varying degrees for different people, but sometimes even a little carrot can be a fun and valuable perk at the end of a long and esoteric collection of inspired pep talks.


This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of visiting a fabulous art opening at the Victorian Rat, an innovative art gallery space moonlighting as a Temescal garage.  Founders Brianna, a fellow Dailey Method instructor and artist extraordinare, and David her husband live in the bungalow upstairs and decided to kick off the Halloween season with their second Dia De Los Muertos themed show.   My friend Haven and I joined the ranks of well-healed arty Oakland folks and mingled amidst skeleton brush strokes, lacy spiderwebs, flickering memorials and of course, a large porcelain skull filled with tequila.  Perhaps it was the warm fall evening, or the whirling energy of fresh art on display, or maybe it was just the blush of the Jaliscan skull speakin' some magic, but  I think it is safe to say we were feeling inspired.

"Amy" by Brianna: 

For me, fall inspiration comes from a sense of change, a shifting of intention and desires.  Although Saturday's warm Indian Summer evening offered a lovely atmosphere for art musing, the change of seasons was well at hand.  With the closure of those long, colorful, extroverted summer days, the crackling of fall makes me turn inward and offers a time of self-reflection, nourishment, and re-focus towards future planning.  I mean, what else can explain the overwhelming recent temptation to ignore all my work, grab a Pumpkin Spice Latte's at Starbucks and cozy up with a good book!

Yet, this transition of energy and focus is as natural as day and night, new and old, and life and death.

Thus yet another contributing factor of my current head space of "what next!? and why!?" My Autumn mantra for health and fitness usually differs from my Summer "bikini-bod" anthem.   I tend to focus more towards restructuring my exercise practice, reassessing my goals and reaffirming a sense of discipline.  Changes in my routine now reflect a desire to make health and fitness a greater overall priority in my life (um, a little different than trying to tone up for a Burning Man tutu-  of course both valuable goals!).

"Lady Muertos" by Brianna

So, sitting amongst the painted dead and lively artists, we settled on a carrot.  In three months time, after working out four times a week (or more -- particularly since I'm still doing my 30 Dailey Days!), we'll reward ourselves with a trip to the outlet malls in Vacaville. J-Crew watch out, fit fashion craved ladies on the loose!


Now that the carrot's in place in a flurry of Autumn inspiration, sticking to the track is the hardest part.  Well, can't hate on some healthy skull-bottled tequila inspiration!  Salud!

Thanks to Brianna and David for such a wonderful and revelatory setting-- visit their website to find out more about their next show:
http://victorianrat.squarespace.com/

Family Weekend

We enjoyed a fabulous few days last weekend with my Aunt Jan and Mary's visit to the Bay from Michigan!  Lots of outdoor time, farmers markets, gardening, Marin hiking, healthy feasting and of course LOVE!