Fitness For YOU

I think by now, unless you are truly in denial (or living under a rock!) you know that exercise is a necessary component to living a full healthy life. In theory I strongly support Michael Pollan's theory- eat good foods, not too much and mostly plants. However a question frequently posed is: which is more important, good exercise or good nutrition?

I believe no amount of exercise in the world will take you to your optimum health unless you are also eating whole clean foods. When I say that, I mean for your OWN body. Yes, there is the understanding that calories taken in vs. burned, is what leads to a healthier number on the scale- yet what works for one individual might not work for another.

First, there is much debate about how much protein a body needs to maintain a strong and effective exercise routine and muscle mass. Some of the strongest athletes are strictly Vegan.  For others, the Paleo Diet works. And for others, The 21 day Clean Diet has changed their lives. On this note- when a new client comes to me, I never assume what will work until we explore their eating styles, cravings, digestion, habits...so many facets to look at. So undoubtedly the same applies to exercise.

Lately in South Beach (approximately 1st street north to 17th street in Miami Beach) the exercise possibilities have exploded! Again there are so many choices- no particular one better than another. You have to try several before you start to see your own results. Personally I have explored a lot of the options and here are my favorites, though each very different in style from the other.

Crossfit Miami Beach on 9th and Alton is owned by two guys, Nate and Mike. Crossfit Workouts which are called WODS -Workout of the Day. Crossfit gyms are all across the US and Canada and involve cardio, weights and innovative movements, that are fast paced, competitive, and short (some workouts are 20 minutes!).  I think the world of Jason, the early morning instructor, he is interested and treats everyone has if he is your own personal trainer making sure your form is correct. (Tell them you read my blog and take a free class!)

Green Monkey- can't tell you more than that I am a Yogi and this is my home. They now have 3 locations, South Miami, Miami Beach, and Midtown Miami- there is a level and class for everyone!

Jetset Pilates 110 Washington Avenue, ground floor of the Cosmopolitan condo. This is no ordinary Pilates class. You exhaust each muscle group. Wow were my quads on fire! My new love- a really cool, amazing hard core workout.

My trainer Jeff Shepard is opening his new gym Symbio this week on Purdy Avenue. Gorgeous, an unbelievable amount of equipment, a variety of classes and what makes it unique- Biofit. Biofit is their medical component to fitness which helps determine what foods and exercise type your body processes and reacts to best. Definitely useful information! And I must say that their views to the bay are beautiful, as you are doing your cardio. Whether you choose to hire Jeff or any of the trainers, or just join with a regular membership, I strongly recommend it if you live on the beach.  (You could be like me and 'live' on Purdy Avenue all morning between Green Monkey and Symbio- considering they are neighbors!)

And last but not least, Miami is now big time- joining NY and LA with our very own Soul Cycle. It is in the Mondrian Hotel on West Avenue. Great music, great instructors and you even use hand weights during the workout to make sure your upper body is not left without getting its cuts.

Whatever you choose to be your fitness kick- make sure to nourish and rehydrate the body afterwards.
What I recover with is a great smoothie. Here is one of my favorites.

Acai Smoothie
3.5 oz frozen Acai puree
1 Banana
1/2 cup frozen Raspberries
1/2 cup Pomegranate juice
1 TBSP Agave nector
1 TBSP spoon ground Flaxseeds.
Blend well and enjoy
Add protein powder if desired. I like Shapefood or Sun Warrior- my favorite Vegan protein powder.

Hope this gets you going! And if you have a class or fitness facility you would like to add please share and post it under comments. We would love to hear what else is going on out there in this ever expanding world of fitness!

Happy sweating!!!  XO Ginny

The Family that Asanas Together, Stays Together

I cannot express the joy and pride I feel when I enter a Yoga studio with two of my boys and husband in tow.  I feel so incredibly blessed as I waited a long time for this to happen. And though I have been practicing for many years now, there was a time in my life where I was searching for some answers.

I went to see my Rabbi, who thought I should start Karate. He felt I needed more secure boundaries because I wasn't reserving enough of ‘me’ for me.  Instead, I walked into a Yoga studio and never looked back.

Yoga became my refuge, where I went alone each morning and practiced in a very small group, doing Mysore. Everyone in their own space, movements and pace.  Peace. Silence.  Then heading home afterwards to a very young and busy household of 4 young babes, feeling ready and so happy to be back in the fold of the action.  I thrived on this contrast. Yoga does that for you, gives you clarity and the understanding of your place in the world.

Understandably, I wanted to share this with my family, but my four sons and very athletic husband met me with strong resistance, not understanding that Yoga isn't about how much weight you lift or how many push ups you can do, but instead about the total package, mind, body and spirit. Not to mention that the body strengthens itself quite beautifully with Yoga.

It took my youngest son's Lacrosse coach calling me and telling me my son needed Yoga. That the stretching would strengthen and lengthen his muscles- so that when he came into LAX season after completing basketball, his injuries would lessen. They wanted him performing hard. And when the coach speaks versus the mom, things happen. And so- Kevin was sold, and one of his older brothers became interested as well (insert glorious choir chant here!).  I called on my long time friend and beloved Green Monkey instructor- Amy Rabin to work with my boys. To make them fall in love with Yoga. And she succeeded. I have no idea how she managed it so quickly and so thoroughly but they are true Yogis now. Kevin now wants, when his schedule allows, to become a certified Yoga instructor and now I see Michael opening up to a more spiritual side of life.  Now you'll see them around the Green Monkey Treehouse regularly during school and sport season breaks.

So please know that when they walk in with me my heart is feeling so full, and I am so filled with love. My husband- seeing us all with mats in hand, raring to go- threw in the towel and now joins us. And now each time he comes along, I am so grateful and bursting with an increased love for this man that I adore.  So on this coming Valentine’s Day I pay tribute to my Yoga studio, to Amy, my fellow Yogis and mostly to these gorgeous men I get to claim as my own. And my family- stronger, spiritually synchronized and beautifully aligned. I am blessed.