New Year's Resolutions Just Got Easier

Hello All, 

I've started a new venture that I'm very excited about.  It's called TwitterDoIt.com.  The idea is to set goals and have experts and peers help you along the way to meet them.  You can set a simple daily goal or a long term one.  

I'm very excited and would love it if you'd check it out.  

Thanks, if the above link doesn't work try, www.twitterdoit.ning.com. 

Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukkah!

Happiness Spreads

Happiness is something that can be created and grumpy moods can be reversed with a little effort.  There is a buddhist intent to only say positive things and I've been practicing it a lot on my own lately with some interesting outcomes. 

After have 5 clients one Friday I was careful and only said positive things.  I didn't complain about my laundry, or the frigid temps or any Hollywood gossip.  I stayed focused on the client and on positive things happening in Coolidge Corner.  Well, 3 out of 5 clients walked out saying, "this was such a great workout, thanks! I needed that."  While I get this a few times a month it is quite unusual to get 3 in one day! 

Prevention Magazine this month says, '"staying happy can have as powerful an impact on your physical health as avoiding cigarettes," says Dutch social scientist Ruut Veenhven, PhD.  He analyzed 30 past studies and found that happiness helps bolster the immune system, prevents healthy people from falling ill, and tacks on extra years of life as a result.'  

How cool is that? 

Another article in the Boston Globe last week said that spreading cheerfulness can have an effect on people you've never even met.  A friendly smile or act of kindness can spread from one person to another and another.  Helping the Mom with the stroller, or letting a harried person finish before you in line will make them feel like helping someone else.  The old concept of paying it forward. 

So the next time you're feeling grumpy, force yourself into a happy thought or compliment someone on their fabulous shoes.  What goes around really does come around.  

Less Americans Dieting than Ever Before

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.  I ran across this factoid in the November issue of Lola and thought it was interesting.  

Only 26 percent of women in the US and 16 percent of men claim to be on a diet at any given time.

NPD Group, a market research firm who conducted the poll also said, "despite high levels of obesity nationwide, a declining percentage of people want to slim down or, for that matter, consider excess weight unattractive."  

On the positive side people are don't seem to be struggling to reach that size 2 ideal.  But on the negative side they don't seem to be trying to lose a dress size or two to improve their health.  I'd love to hear your thoughts on this . . . 

Bruins Player Goes Green

Andrew Ference of the Boston Bruins has been a great eco-ambassador according to Boston Magazine.  He has helped to install recycling bins in the locker rooms and administrative areas and he even bikes to work!  When he needs to drive it's in his Prius.  He has also encouraged his team mates to join him in purchasing carbon credits to offset their heavy travel schedule.  Way to go Andrew.  You're welcome to a free Pilates class at Modern Pilates anytime you want!  Check out the full story here . . . 

Web Site Up & Matter Yoga Coming

We're up!  Yeah!  The web site is live.  Studio Elle is now officially Modern Pilates.  I'm very happy and love the updates that Kate McLean has made to our web site.  Studio Elle will still be up and running for a while so everyone can still find us! 

Also, I'm so happy to see that Matter Yoga is shipping our first clothing line this week!  We have decided to carry Matter Yoga because they are made from 100% certified organic cotton with low impact dyes and they are very cute!  Check them out at www.matteryoga.com.  Tell Azita that we sent you! 

Pilates Ab Work Most Effective

Researchers at Auburn University tested four different types of ab moves, three were Pilates based (hundred and double-leg stretch, roll-up) and one was a regular 'ole crunch.  

The results were the hundred and double-leg stretch were the most effective in engaging the transversus muscle.  For those of you who don't know, the transversus muscle is the deepest layer of muscle tissue and works just like a girdle sitting under your obliques.  If you can tone those baby they "suck in" and you whittle your waist very effectively. 

The quote from the study is, "That's the deepest ab muscle, which pulls in the midsection and stabilizes the spine, giving you a flatter belly as well as more control during exercise and everyday movements," says lead authoer Michele oldson, Ph.D. professor of exercise physiology at Auburn.

So the next time you're in a mat class complaining to yourself about doing the hundred remember, tighter, higher, smaller . . . 

Halloween Candy Hangover

I know you've got a stash somewhere.  Do what I did and throw the Snickers away!  Let's face it, we're high quality people, we do not eat low quality, mass-produced chocolate.  If you must indulge make sure it's the good stuff. 

Some dark chocolate is actually healthy for you and because the taste is so rich, you don't need as much to feel sated.  My personally favorite store is Serenade Chocolatiers in Brookline Village.  Check them out.