Life after the Ranch and back to reality

Arrived home after spending an amazing week of teaching at Rancho La Puerta. I met so many wonderful people of all ages and walks of life. It was like an adult summer camp filled with health, peace, emotional well being, exercise, nature, and pampering.

Although the weather in Tecate last week was not as warm as I was hoping for. The experience at the Ranch fulfilled all my hopes and desires. Most days started with an early morning hike through the mountains. Chatting with new friends and convening with nature. A healthy breakfast would follow with lots of fresh fruit, oatmeal, quinoa, eggs and even pancakes one morning. A nice warm cup of tea with a spoonful of agave warmed me up to teach.

Every day I taught a 9am Pilates Level 1 and a 10am Pilates Level 2. Tuesday and Thursday afternoons I also taught a level 2 Reformer class.It was a progressive series adding fundamentals and exercises every day. The clients were so fabulous. Open to learning something new or in a new way and making deep, internal changes in their bodies daily. I was so appreciative of their willingness and trust to explore with me every day. Each one of them was truly a gift to me.

Once my morning classes where finished, I had plenty of time to explore the ranch and take some classes on my own. Some of my favorites were Nia with Maya, Hulu Hoop with Hazel, Cardio Drumming with Miguel, and Release and Mobilize with Diane. I also tried a water class (which I have never done before). I felt a bit uncoordinated and retarded but was open to newness and got a great workout from Craig. I also explored some sound classes and some pampering treatments.

The Ranch's healthy spa cuisine left me feeling full and inspired to try adding some different things to my diet. So many wonderful meals and I ate all of them and actually lost 4lbs. Mostly what I will take away from the diet is to eat some complex carbs for breakfast like quinoa or rice with some fruit. Normally at home I eat carbs like bread for breakfast. Not anymore. As a whole there really was not a lot of bread in the menus. Lots of fresh vegetable soups and salads with toasted nuts and fruit slices and then a dinner of items like fresh fish, vegetarian lasagna, stir fry, enchiladas. Are you getting the picture that I ate and ate well?

Some evenings were filled with fun events like Bingo with Barry. This is definitely not to be missed. Hilarious. Fun. A bit raunchy. A good time had by all. Friday evening had a live band and dancing. A blast and a perfect way to end the week with all my new friends and students.

I truly enjoyed every minute at the Ranch. I feel rejuvenated, refreshed, invigorated, inspired, and at peace. I hope to be asked back in the future to Present again, as I would truly like to make Rancho La Puerta at least a yearly event.

Winter Escape

Retreat:

A place affording peace, quiet, privacy, or security.

This February, find tranquility, peace, and warmth, while enjoying your physical surroundings and pampering your body and soul. I have always found Retreats to be most beneficial to my body and mind. When I allow myself the well deserved time and utmost priority I can come back to my business, clients and family a better me. Well rested, reflective, meditated, nurtured, inspired, invigorated, and fed both spiritually and physically.

There are many places that offer Yoga and spiritual retreats, however I had a hard time finding a space that inhabited a full Pilates studio as well as a beautiful retreat space. I wanted to be able to offer Pilates Mat Classes, as well as Group Reformer and Private Sessions. And in this economic time, make it as affordable as possible without spending a ton on travel to a foreign country. Rancho La Puerta is just that place. Located in Tecate, Mexico. Rancho La Puerta is the perfect retreat spot, even voted by Travel & Leisure's 2010 voters as a Best Destination Spa. With it being located about an hour outside of San Diego, California residents would even be able to drive to the resort without any air fare.

Currently living in Chicago, winter and cold last a good portion of the year. By the February month I am ready for an escape and rejuvenation to get me through until May, when Chicago finally starts to warm up.

This February join me at Rancho La Puerta for either a 4-day or 7-day retreat. Visit www.pilalates.com for more info. Hope to see you there!

Get out of town!

Living in the city has it's advantages. Everything is right at your demand and the energy is always moving. Sometimes, taking a drive and getting out the city for a day or two and into nature is actually what the body, mind, and soul need.

Nestled about 100 miles from downtown Chicago, Starved Rock State Park does exactly that. Starved Rock State Park located in Utica, IL is an easy escape by car off of Interstate 80.  I packed up my dog, some hiking gear, and snacks and plugged the Ipod into the car stereo to escape the windy city for the day. Just getting out of the traffic and stop-n-go of the city was relaxing.  I jammed out to my Ipod singing at the top of my lungs, something I rarely do in the city for fear of someone I know seeing me.  My Golden Retriever, Logan, enjoyed hanging his head out the window taking in the fresh smells of the Illinois Farmlands.

Arriving into Utica Illinois is a cute little town with some local restaurants, shops, trading posts, and lodgings. Following the well marked signs through town about 1-2 miles into Starved Rock National State Park to the Visitor Center. Parking is FREE and there is plenty of it, unlike downtown Chicago.  Logan and I mounted our packs for the day, stopped at the Visitor Center to grab a map of the trails, and headed out to surround ourselves with Nature.

Historically, Starved Rock had been inhabited by humans as early as 8000 B.C., with many different Native Americans settling between 1500-1700's. Both explorers Louis Jolliet and Father Jacques Marquette, are said to have come through on their way up the Illinois River. Starved Rock derives it's name from a "Native American legend of injustice and retribution", where a chief stood his ground on the bluff and ended up dying of starvation.

Starved Rock sits on a total of 2,816 acres of land. It has 13 miles of hiking trails that wind through natural bluffs and canyons and follow along the Illinois River. Hiking is available year round and the back drop changes with each season. At the "early end of spring, when the end of winter thaw is occurring and the rains are frequent, sparkling waterfalls are found at the heads of all 18 canyons, and vertical walls of moss-covered stone create a setting of natural geographic beauty uncommon in Illinois" (Starved Rock State Park Visitor's Guide).  They have a full lodge, family cabins, camping, horseback riding, and fishing/boating available as well. More information on these activities and lodging can be found at www.starvedrockstateparkorg.


The trails that leave from the Visitor/Lodge area are a little crowded and touristy. For a more rugged and less touristy hike park at the other end near the Council Overhang or Hennepin Canyon and hiking towards the Visitor/Lodge area.  The views are much more spectacular and the terrain is a little more athletic.

About two miles up the road is Matthieson State Park. This dell area has an upper area hiking trail that is a 3 mile loop with wood like views. The lower level is through the dells walking through the rocks and canyons. A little more rugged and wet, but Logan was in heaven tromping along and wading through the water.  Well worth a stop if you have the time.  There is also a horseback riding trail as well.

Logan and I hiked for 3 hours that day and according to my heart rate monitor I burned close to 1000 calories.  More importantly was the breath of fresh air, vacation like-mode, and cleansing of my spirit that happened less than 2 hours outside of Chicago.

Unplugged and Rejuvenated

This weekend I treated myself to a four day mini-break. All summer I had been scheduling around my clients vacations, schedules, and their children's obligations and realized that I neglected myself. So I decided to take a 4 day camping trip on my own with my 4 year old Golden Logan.

I was a little nervous camping by myself, but I am an independent, self sufficient woman and figured that if I can make it in a city on my own, I definitely can make it in the woods on my own. I had such a great sense of accomplishment as I arrived at my campsite and pitched my tent all by myself. Arranged my housing for the next couple of days setting up my chair, sleeping bed, cooking area, firewood, and sleeping bag. Then sat down to take it all in. I am so used to being in a scheduling crunch and then zoning out using technology like the computer or television. Here I could just sit in silence (or the sounds of nature) and do nothing. It was absolutely amazing!!

The first night as I sat by my campfire with Logan, I almost completely forgot to look upwards. Being in the city, I never see a sky full of stars, so I have gotten quite used to not even looking. As I laid down on the blanket and caught a glimpse of the sky I was surprised to see the black sky so full of bright, twinkling stars. It was gorgeous.  That day being exactly one month since losing my beloved 13 1/2 year old Golden Madison, as I looked up I wondered if her soul was up there in the stars looking down and shining her love down on Logan and I. I laid there for many hours just gazing upwards and taking in the serenity of the sounds, smells, and sights of nature. I was in a state of serenity that I so often lose in the hectic city life. I was completely unplugged and able to sit still in peace.  A natural, unforced meditative state that I can only describe as bliss.  Solitude.

Each morning I would awake to make breakfast for Logan and I. Then I would sit under the rising sun and read. Around 11am I would prepare myself for a 3-5 hour hike for the day. Arrive back at my campsite around 4pm and relax at the site until sunset when I eagerly lit my campfire, prepared dinner, and sat under my lovely sky of light and love. It was exactly what I needed. My four day trip reset me to come back to the city and be invigorated to get back to life. I am already looking ahead on my schedule to make a fall trip before it gets too cold, as I thoroughly enjoyed myself and know that it was exactly what I needed. We all need to unplug ourselves from society every now and then and rejuvenate our souls with nature and solitude.  It's a mental and spiritual cleanse for the body, mind, and soul.

Taking your Practice on the Road

Taking your Practice on the road doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your workout. Why not pack some props in your suitcase to keep your workout going.

If you are taking a beach vacation, why not pack a mat and practice on the sand. Manduka is my absolute favorite mat provider. Eco friendly, thick, slip-resistant, recyclable. They also carry towel like mats which are super easy to pack, wash, and wipe the sweat off with when you're done. Thick enough to roll your spine on for Pilates. Non-slippery for even the hottest of yoga practices. These mats are well worth the investment and my mat of choice for life.

Resistance bands are super easy to pack and use wherever you are. They come in various resistance and options. I like Thera-bands. Use them for arm work and leg work, on your own or hooked onto a desk, bed or door in your hotel. Tubing with handles or without and/or Exercise Bands (I prefer latex free). These can help take your matwork to the next level and mimic exercises done on the Cadillac and Reformer. STOTT Pilates has many DVDs using resistance bands to choose from or have an instructor lay down a personally tailored workout for you to download onto your mobile like pi-LALA-tes : Pilates without Borders (Insert shameless plug here).

Magic Circles are a great small prop as well. A little more awkward, heavy, and space consuming than the resistance bands. Gaiam has a lightweight circle that comes with a DVD. Children's playground balls can also substitute for a ring and can be found in any toy store, target, and even some grocery stores (depending on time of the year).

These are just a few suggestions to take your practice on the go. You really don't need much to get a great workout wherever your life may take you.