yogaworks

i never wash my car. i know i should want to do it, but for some reason, i hate it. until, of course, i'm driving around in a clean car. as soon as i get in and look through the spotless windshield and see the freshly vacuumed carpet underneath my feet, i think "why don't i do this more often?" and then i think "i'm turning over a new leaf. i'm going to wash my car once a week!" two months go by and i am once again rolling around in my dirt-caked bmw with water bottles and cookie crumbs rolling around at my feet. i am the same way about yoga. as soon as i bow my head, say "namaste," and walk out of the warm room, i think "why don't i do this more often?" but then a few days go by and the thought of committing to an hour and a half class sounds like the worst thing in the world....so i wait another couple of months. that was true until i found yogaworks.

yogaworks has gotten me hooked. for the past two months i've been to yoga at least two to three times a week and i've noticed that my flexibility and my strength have increased significantly. i've also noticed a difference in my running. the tight hamstrings and hips that used to ache after long runs now feel more at ease. every class is completely different and each teacher has his/her own style so you never get bored and you're always being challenged.

yogaworks has studios all over, but my favorite is the one on main street in santa monica. it's a block away from urth cafe and across the street from the sunday farmer's market so it's easy to fit a class into your packed agenda.

if you're still not sold, you don't have to commit quite yet. yogaworks offers a two week trial pass for $30 (usually classes are $22 each) and you can attend as many classes as you want during that two week period. if you don't have a mat, you can rent one for $2 and parking is a cinch: there is metered parking right outside on main street and additional parking around the corner on strand.

give it a try. if you're anything like me, you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.

vote for the studio (mdr)!

as you probably know from reading my post here, the studio (mdr) is one of my favorite fitness studios in la, and, apparently, i'm not the only one that thinks so. since january of this year (that's when they opened) they have grown tremendously...to the point that they are in desperate need of an expansion! every month the schedule for the following month is posted and classes sell out in a matter of seconds. there are only 9 machines in the studio, so they are (unfortunately) capped at 9 people per class. enter dell.  dell has developed a program called america's favorite small business where they are giving small businesses the opportunity to win $25,000 in dell products, a $50,000 pre-paid MasterCard, and their own reality show. to be honest, although the $75,000 is enticing, i am more excited about the idea of a kylates reality show! no, but seriously, this is a huge opportunity for the studio (mdr) to get some much needed cash to cover expenses and go through the expansion they need to be successful. it only takes a second to vote, so if you have time, please do so in the "view and vote" section here.  you can (and are encouraged to) vote even if you don't live in la. every little bit helps!

burn 60 with kyla

i went into my first burn 60 class expecting it to be a piece of cake. i was already running a ton and doing pilates plus twice a week - how hard could it be? well, i'll be the first to admit that i was wrong. apparently running at a comfortable pace outside on flat ground is just a tiny bit different than running 9 miles per hour up a 15.0 incline.  the class is one hour long and consists of cardio and strength training intervals. the cardio portion of the class is done completely on treadmills and consists of 8-12 minutes of hills and sprints (sometimes the two combined). there were definitely times when we were running so fast that i felt like i was going to end up like the guy in the video below (have you seen this?), but luckily the sprints were short enough that i was able to keep get my legs under control before tumbling to the floor in embarrassment.



the strength training was just ok. i was tired from all of the running so i didn't mind the fact that it was relatively easy, but i wouldn't go to burn 60 if you're looking for a really good strength training class. that being said, i was definitely sore the next day, but i think it had more to do with the sprinting up hills than anything else. i enjoyed burn 60 and i would definitely consider working it into my regular routine. i think it could help build up cardiovascular endurance quite quickly and it is a great class for someone who wants to get in and out in an hour and get a well-rounded workout.

the only burn 60 location is in brentwood.

Parking is free with validation!

yoga co with alex

third street promenade is definitely not my idea of relaxation.  with all the tourists and street performers, i often find myself ducking into stores not because i want to browse for a new pair of shoes, but simply because i need to get away from the endless commotion.  that's why when i saw yoga co right next to anthropologie on the promenade a few weeks ago, i was immediately skeptical.  how could it possibly be the calming safe haven it claimed to be when it is in the middle of all of this chaos!? well, although i am the worst offender of this rule of thumb, never judge a book by its cover.  i went to a class at yoga co the very same day that i discovered it and boy was i wrong.  not only is the studio immaculate, but it is also very cozy and relaxing (you can't hear a peep from the promenade). yoga co survives off of donations alone ($14 recommended per class) and they charge $2 for mat rentals (so bring your own mat if you have one!)

[earth room]

they have three rooms in the studio - the water room, the earth room and the sky room.  i've only been in the earth room and i loved it.  they have tons of "all levels" classes and also some beginner and advanced classes.  they are located on the third floor at 1408 3rd street promenade and you can park in the parking structure on santa monica and 2nd street. here is a link to their schedule.

pilates plus, venice

i've always been good at fitting running or spinning into my daily routine, but when it comes to strength training, i have a bit of a commitment issue. unless i'm panting and sweating, i don't consider it a workout. this has actually worked to my disadvantage. the more i read about strength training, the more i realize that, if i want to look toned, burn more calories (and actually burn more fat) i have to build muscle. so i started going to pilates plus in venice (there are other locations, too). not only is pilates plus an incredible strength workout, but it is extremely high intensity, and i leave drenched in sweat every single time (which i love). the class is done entirely on the proformer (pictured below) and is focused mainly on upper body and core strength. 

[your new best friend]

classes are one hour long and cost $30 each (your first one is free). i don't like to play favorites, but if you want to know who my favorite teacher is, it's ky. he's fun, energetic, and he'll work you so hard you can't walk the next day. if you want someone a little more low key, try rendel's class. oh, and don't forget to bring your toe sox!

[toe sox]

*mention hill and third and get 15% off of a monthly unlimited (normally $199)!!

pilates plus:
1653A abbot kinney blvd.
venice, ca 90291
pilates plus
(park on the street)

new york city marathon

it is exactly eighteen days until the marathon, and, aside from a giant blister on my big toe, i'm feeling great!  i've been following hal higdon's training program and i  have not missed one run during the 18 week program (hello, ocd).

[not daunting at all]

training for a marathon is an incredible experience. when i first looked at the training schedule and saw an 11 mile run at the end of only 4 weeks of training, i knew i was in trouble. but now, that distance is cake (mmm, cake). your perspective of a "long" run changes quite quickly when all you're doing is running. here are a ten things i learned while training for the marathon:

1. leave early (i'm talking 7am). nine o'clock sounds early until you realize you have to run for three and a half hours and you'll be done at 12:30. not ideal.
2. body glide anti-chafe balm is a necessity.
3. gatorade is the best thing ever!!
4. music is key. make sure your ipod is charged and that you have enough songs to last you the entire run.
5. stretching (specifically, yoga) is soooo important. i should take my own advice!
6. pasta really does work, but it's not the night before a long run that counts, it's two nights before.
7. there are vegan energy bars our there. i really like purefit. there are many others at whole foods, too.
8. always bring $5-$10 with you on a run to buy water and/or gatorade.
9. naps are necessary on long run days.
10. anyone can run a marathon.

[leave early]

i have some favorite things i discovered while training (shoes, sports bras, shorts, etc), but i'll share those things in another post.

after i have new york under my belt, i want to start looking at international marathons. what a great excuse to travel, right!? in case you're interested in running with me in auckland or frankfurt, here is a schedule of international marathons. i hope i've inspired you! xx