Your Definition of Beauty?

A favorite coach/fitness expert of mine -- who I've followed for several years, who's uber creative with choreography, and whose energy and spirit exude optimism, light and confidence -- has made some changes to her appearance that make me stop, pause and think. She's beautiful now and she was beautiful then, but it makes me question: How much is too much? Where does one cross the line from loving movement and strength and energy and some soft makeup, to living off plain grilled chicken breasts and drowning themselves in beauty products and procedures?

I still adore this woman -- she's gotten thousands of women (and men) off the couch and into their bodies in a loving, enthusiastic way. She's one of those who taught me how not only movement or physical activity tunes us into our bodies (therein our lives) but also more specifically how resistance training teaches the invaluable lesson of body awareness. (And, no, not sculpting-perfect-body-awareness, just the good old-fashioned knowledge of becoming familiar with one's own structure, frame, muscles, strength and flexibility.)

Since I, like you, am bombarded with beauty messages and get-happy-quick tips on a daily basis, I think we have to define what truly works for ourselves on an individual basis. Through my personal training, I teach that we can find peace, joy and freedom through listening to our bodies, but that's not a quick fix to put you on a Milan runway overnight -- nor does it promise the "perfect" weight, Mr. Right around-the-corner, job security, 2.5 children, and a sense of peace for daily levitating. I believe we all have to define our sense of beauty -- from how far we'll go using beauty products, etc., to letting our inner light be Enough.

*Where do you draw a line in having pride in your appearance v. letting your beauty shine from the inside-out?

*How do you listen to your body, your energy, on a daily basis -- and sometimes a moment-to-moment basis -- to guide your sense of truth and peace?

*And, if you have a hard time listening to your body -- or if it's a foreign concept, why not give it a shot?

You might have seen this before, but someone sent this to me today, and it's a good reminder for us all to exhale -- and thank Dove for keeping it real!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh7jsxi79pc

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Breath Made Visible - a film

I just happened upon such a beautiful message that I thought I'd share with whomever might be out there tonight....(in case you're wondering about how dance can teach, heal, inspire and transform...or any connected movement for that matter...)

Check out the trailer for this dance documentary featuring dance pioneer Anna Halprin -- I love how she says "Dance is the breath made visible. Anyone can do it -- I don't care whether they've had any training at all."

This website is too beautiful for me to try to summarize, so please see for yourself. Read the synopsis, then watch the trailer. The music is breathtaking as well as the message:

http://www.breathmadevisible.com/?lang=en

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Measure Your Energy - Not Your Thighs

I recently had someone write asking about my services, and I wrote her such an in-depth response that I decided this specific portion might serve my blog readers too. This will give you an idea of how I'm trying to help steer the world of fitness in a new direction. ;)

"I’ll honestly say I’m not a fan of measuring or weighing - pounds, body parts, calories, carbs, etc. I tell clients – let’s measure your energy not your thighs. The first time I told a client that she was a little surprised and probably disappointed, but she said, “okay, let’s give it a shot.” She’d just been to Canyon Ranch – weighed, measured and poked – before we started together which prompted her to seek a trainer. A year later she returned to Canyon Ranch. She met with the head trainer again who was blown away by her progress in a year. She was already a regular runner, but we added the weight training and yoga component twice a week for added muscle strength, bone support as she was aging, and flexibility training. This cross training gave her a boost in strength, a graceful and calming sense flexibility, newfound body awareness, and a much-needed break in her busy day as a CEO. Yes, she got compliments over and over on how she "looked", but we both knew the stress relief benefits and the strength she discovered she had were the biggest things to smile about."

So, throw away your scales, forget the tape measure, and stop driving yourself crazy with Points. I believe this intuitive approach to fitness -- listening to your body, finding your internal/external edge -- is a more loving and sustainable approach to fitness from the inside-out.

What is Your Word?

I'm not giving anything away by saying that in the movie Eat Pray Love, Elizabeth Gilbert shares an inside "joke" of sorts with her Italian friends that goes like this: "What is your word?" Then, you have to think of a word that describes yourself or an object besides the person/object's real name. For example, for California, you might say its word is "wine". Or, for Vince Vaughn, I'd say his word would be "adorable" (this is all subjective, ok?). Or, Mother Theresa, "generous". Make sense?

What would your word be? Think about it. And, just one word that makes sense in all or most areas of your life. I won't spoil it by telling EG's word -- you've gotta see the movie all the way to the end. :)

My word -- Connected. And, I don't mean I'm connected in the name-dropping sense. I just mean I try to stay connected to myself, my heart, my breath, my body, and special loved ones on a daily basis. It takes reminding and practice, and I'm completely human -- I slip up and forget sometimes. And, while I have tended to navel gaze quite a few times in my life, I don't believe connected always means to be so deep and serious. Simply present, hopeful, mindful and living with good intentions.

So, how are you connected? To your breath, your self, your body, your heart, your loved ones?

FLOW - forum and free video!

Hey, weekend warriors, FLOW's got two updates - See below!

#1) FLOW Training's website - http://www.mybodyflow.com/ - just blossomed a bit, which includes a new FORUM for discussion - http://flowforum.mybodyflow.com/user/Discussions.aspx?id=250807 - I'm the moderator for this community and would love to discuss fitness, healing through movement, yoga, or whatever you want re: listening to your body. You can post anonymously too if you're more comfortable that way.

#2) FLOW's got a FLIP cam and some fitness clips that will be uploaded soon...stay tuned. In the meantime:

* feel free to make a request for a short "video" (ex: stretch, yoga, breathwork, power step, etc.), and it will be added to the "shoot" list.

* the first person who requests a video tailored to her
preferences receives it free!

* personal fitness videos are available especially for you for a fee depending on the length and type of workout.

* Write FLOW for a chance to win a free personal video, to make a request for a short video posted on this site, or to inquire about cost!

Thanks for reading - I'm off to catch up with a new-mom friend and take a fun step class to start off my weekend just right! ;)