http://www.internationalorange.com SPA · YOGA · LOUNGE Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:50:25 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Sometimes I want to stop my brain. Stop it from thinking. Stop it from thinking things I don’t want to think anymore. Stop. Just STOP already. But try as I might it just doesn’t stop. My mind just keeps on thinking and thinking and thinking. Sound familiar? It’s helpful to remember ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/its-only-a-mind-and-its-job-is-to-think/ Kirtan is call-and-response chanting performed in India’s devotional traditions, sometimes called Bhaki Yoga, or the practicing of devotion. Kirtan practice involves chanting the names of the divine in song or hymn like a mantra. Kirtan is traditionally sung to the accompaniment of instruments like the harmonium, two-headed mradanga drum, and/or ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/sing-your-heart-open-sing-kirtan/ Sounds like a good time, doesn’t it? My friend Jewel makes one of my very favorite chocolates on the planet. Jewel is also part of the IO extended family. She actually used to work at IO in the very early days right along side me and Melissa back when we ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/dark-chocolate-and-massage/ I’ve been a fan of getting out of the city and “taking the waters” for as long as I can remember. When we were growing up, Ma and Pa Darland packed my brother and me along on many a family outing to hot springs around California and the Northwest. I ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/taking-the-waters-hot-springs-in-california/ I thoroughly enjoy my time in the great outdoors. It is great. There’s nothing like waking up to fresh air and the sound of birds and wind in the trees without the distraction of sirens and construction and traffic. For all its vibrancy and convenience, the city sometimes wears on ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/bringing-more-country-to-city-life/ I just returned from a new year’s kirtan (devotional singing) and yoga retreat in tropical Costa Rica followed by a very fun wedding with friends (old and new) and it’s got me inspired and thinking about building community. In Buddhism, the word “sangha” traditionally means “community of monks”, and ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/sangha-means-community/ I’ve written in the past about the self-nurturing, wholesome aspect of cooking meals at home. (See “One Thing at a Time“) When cold weather strikes, I really start to embrace the comforting experience of preparing a good meal for myself, and particularly if that meal is soup. Warm soup on a ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/the-wonders-of-homemade-soup/ Often, in the western world, Thai massage is watered down into a version of Swedish massage that incorporates a few faux-yogic stretches here and there. I’ve experienced Thai massage in many spas and the mother land as well as other Asian countries, and wanted our IO bodywork program to incorporate ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/thai-massage-at-io/ Think of the last situation that really riled you up. Do you have that moment in mind? Are you mad just thinking about it? Sure. That’s normal. Okay, now imagine you press the rewind button and approach that hair-raising scenario with equanimity. Equanimity is a calm abiding in a state ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/practicing-equanimity-when-its-hard/ “The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/the-art-of-living/ I haven’t completely renounced myself from alcohol. I still like to enjoy a drink now and then. But on the spectrum of attachment and craving, I think most of us, certainly including me, could use a reminder about our relationship with the crutches in our lives. A local sangha (or ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/meditation-and-addiction/ Dreamboarding is basically like making a collage, with an intention. It’s a semi-annual activity of mine. Over the year, I collect images I love, things I dream to do, be or manifest and then when there’s time and I have a hankering to get the creative juices flowing, I make ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/dreamboarding/ The Slow Food Movement is one of my favorite new crusades, although it’s not exactly “new”. Our IO Spa Yoga and Shop concept was even inspired by the movement. We wanted to be the Slow Wellness business where products and service offerings reflect sustainability, natural ingredients and care. Conceptually, the ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/right-eating-the-slow-food-movement/ Yes, this is a blog post about finding your Spirit Animal. I love that term. It makes me laugh every time because it sounds a little silly. But humor aside, I am fascinated about exploring my Spirit Animals and opening my awareness to all the creatures of the world. Recently ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/animal-totems/ I’m always fascinated by spiritual systems that help us find out more about ourselves. I think a lot of the so-called “esoteric” spiritual practices that we encounter work best in our Western mindset when we think of them metaphorically. The chakra system is a perfect example of this. A lot of ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/chakra-system/ Okay I am up on my soapbox now to promote a project that some brilliant and giving friends of mine are doing. I really like to promote projects like this one that mutually support the mission of this blog: to offer readers a bridge to their better side. Project Ahimsa ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/project-ahimsa-turning-beats-into-hope-worldwide/ The theme of this blog is Building a Bridge to Our Better Side, and one of my favorite ways to do that in my own life is to travel. Visiting other places and exploring unfamiliar terrain is an opportunity to simultaneously shrink our world and expand our perceptive horizons. I ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/wellness/the-travel-bridge/ I try to refrain from making this blog a forum for the blatant promotion of IO products, but occasionally I feel so passionately about one of our services that the need arises for me to get up on my soapbox and blab a bit. So here goes. The ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/three-words-organic-detox-facelift/ The IO Yoga Program is an integral element of our holistic offerings at IO, and we are constantly on a quest to hone and refine our roster of teachers and classes to stand out from the 80+ other yoga studios and gyms in San Francisco. As a longtime yogi myself, ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/real-deal-yoga-teachers-at-io/ Recently I had a moment of synchronicity of the sort one simply must act on. I was flipping through a book called Animal, Vegetable, Miracle (great autobiographical chronicle by Barbara Kingsolver, incidentally, about an experiment with growing all her own food for a year) and I learned about a progressive seed ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/seeds-of-change/ So this IO blog is really all about finding, building, being A Bridge to Your Better Side. This has always been our mission at International Orange (a moniker we borrowed from the paint color of the Golden Gate Bridge itself), and with this blog as a forum, we aim to ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/people-who-like-you/ San Francisco Magazine Best of the Bay Reader’s Poll 2009: Best Pamper Spot July 2009 “Ten thousand votes later (all cast on our website), your decisions have been handed down… Best Pamper Spot: International Orange” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/san-francisco-magazine-2/ C Magazine Best of California: Top 5 Hydrating Facials Summer 2009 “International Orange: Custom Organic Enzyme Boost Facial – Take away the ocean and California is a desert – and don’t think our skin doesn’t feel it. Rehydrate with these replenishing facials from a handful of the state’s premier aestheticians.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/c-magazine/ A few weeks ago I noticed that a few of the English peas in my latest batch from the farmer’s market had started to sprout. Normally, I’d consider those to be beyond their peak of freshness and I’d toss them. This time, though, I was inspired by some reading I’ve ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/the-miracle-of-plant-life/ Forgive me if I sound like Martha Stewart when I say this, but I find it delightfully empowering to know that I can whip up my own skincare recipes right in my kitchen at home, with a few simple ingredients from the farmer’s market. (Or, maybe I’m actually channeling Alice ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/summer-skincare-in-your-own-kitchen/ The ancient art of reflexology is way more than a fancy foot rub. It’s a medical practice that can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians and Chinese and has since spread to all corners of the world. The basic premise of reflexology is that areas of the feet correspond ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/your-feet-a-bridge-to-whole-body-health/ Because I grew up surrounded by left-wing bohemian role models, the concept of “Made in the USA” often struck me as an overly patriotic, politically conservative denouncement of global culture. But as I get older, and hopefully wiser, I realize that making a commitment to support local businesses is actually ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/happiness-is-a-local-non-cafo-cow/ It’s so easy to get wrapped up in our burgeoning cyber-communities: Facebook, Twitter, email, IMing. Never in my life have I had such a rich social life spanning so many time zones and cultures. Closer than ever in some ways and farther apart in other ways. Connected by information and ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/creating-your-own-community/ An unfortunate side effect of stress and anxiety (sensations that many of us are overly familiar with and even more these days) is that it impacts our skin directly and visibly. Impurities, wrinkles and other complexion messer-uppers love to show themselves just when we don’t need one more thing to ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/when-you-are-stressed-practice-simple-skin-care/ A few things have got me thinking about the role of the feminine in our modern culture. One is a recent re-read of the women-centric historical novel The Red Tent, which focuses on customs from Biblical times of honoring womanhood with female ritual and community. The other is this insightful Ani ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/embracing-the-feminine/ Most of us – if we were lucky – were raised with this empowering message at heart: “You can be anything you want.” I heard this myself growing up, and now as part of the wellness community for my work and pleasure, I go on periodic retreats that teach this ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/loving-yourself-right-now/ Well it’s almost summer, you know, and summer always inspires me to spend more time outside. Living in San Francisco, though, it can be hard to tell when it’s actually summer with all that fog blocking out the sun. June gloom, as we call it here. One recent Saturday, I woke ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/a-healthy-dose-of-fresh-air-on-mt-tam/ Wellness is the anti-stress. And taking care of yourself is an investment in your well-being akin to a reliable savings plan for your financial security. Especially as the current economic situation drudges on, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with stress and uncertainty. Truly, taking care of yourself is your first ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/wellness-the-anti-stress/ Lucky Magazine May 2009 “The online arm of luxe Pac Heights spa International Orange offers a great selection of natural beauty items.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/lucky-magazine/ Amy Darland’s Top 5 Sustainable San Francisco Picks April 2009 “…Darland and her co-founders Melissa Ferst and Kary Chendo have gained a cult following for their top-notch yoga classes and all-natural spa services.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/conde-nast-daily-traveler/ It List: San Francisco February 2009 “If two hands are better than one, then it stands to reason four hands are divine. International Orange puts the theory to the test with the launch of their nurturing Four-Handed massage this month. The treatment utilizes two massage practitioners working to bring you to a ... http://www.internationalorange.com/press/7x7/ Give (or Get) Good Face December 2008 “One-part technical genius, one-part retreat and all parts organic, the Organic Rejuvenation Facial is skincare (and gift-giving) perfection!” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/face-parlour/ Best of Beauty 2008 December 2008 “I had my first facial at IO this year. It was the best facial I’ve ever had, which is no small feat, because I’ve had many over the years.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/the-coveted/ Thanks once again to The Coveted for featuring several of IO’s skin-friendly “eco-products” in their post about facial peels (read article here). And for highlighting the sage advice of IO senior esthetician Alicia Moody, who truly knows her stuff when it comes to what’s good for the skin. A facial peel ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/in-fiore-let-thy-fragrance-be-thy-medicine/ I risk sounding like a 1-800-Flowers ad when I say, there’s no better way to say I love you than with flowers. Okay, maybe there are better ways, but flowers are one good way at least. Flowers are such an easy way to invite beauty into our lives. Plus we ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/no-better-way-to-say-i-love-you/ When I heard the news that our governor is threatening to close most of California’s State Parks by the fall, I got sick to my stomach. Really. This is an issue that hits close to home. Mt. Tamalpais and the serene sanctuary of our breathtaking state parks are my church. Not ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/threatening-to-close-californias-state-parks/ Recently, Conde Nast Traveler’s “Daily Traveler” editor asked me for my “5 Sustainable San Francisco Picks”. I gave a shout out to some of my favorite places in this lovely city of ours. You can read the full article here. In this progressive area we’re blessed to live in, there are ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/sustainable-in-san-francisco/ Lao-Tsu said that “a journey of 1000 miles starts with a single step”. Well, the same goes for healthy habits. It can start with a single act. Self-helpers say, “the first step is admitting the problem.” I’ve slipped a little lately. Unfortunately, recognizing the need for change doesn’t automatically make change ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/change-your-eating-habits-one-step-at-a-time/ Apparently scientists are proving that people who have a long-term, dedicated meditation practice actually develop bigger brains. Now that’s what I like to hear. Scientific studies are showing that longtime meditators have thicker frontal lobes – the parts of the brain that control focus and concentration. That sounds good to me. ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/be-your-own-temple/ I always crack up a bit when I read an article in a magazine about “recent studies” showing that red wine, chocolate, and excessive sleeping are all secretly good for you. A part of me thinks that we’re all just looking for a justification for our bad habits. But then ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/chocolate-is-it-really-good-for-you/ Lately in our world we are inundated with fear-based information about the economic situation of our nation and the world. It is a reality. And it’s being felt in some way by every American. Yet, amidst the gloom and doom, when I continue to wait in line for a seat at ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/pocketbook-friendly-wellness-at-io/ Steven Wright once famously quipped, “Everywhere is within walking distance if you have the time.” Wise words, and zen advice. In addition to my daily morning walks, I’ve often found myself trying to get from point A to point B in the city, too impatient to stand on a corner and ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/urban-hiking/ When a smart acupuncturist friend recently mentioned evening primrose oil, I looked it up. There’s a great book called “Prescription for Nutritional Healing“ that offers natural remedies for pretty much anything that ails you. I’m keen on learning about “miracle” herbal medicinals. I learned that it’s not just prescribed for ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/evening-primrose-oil-inside-and-out/ I read a recent book by Alice Walker that is poignantly relevant to the times we are living in and her voice, beautifully inspirational. Her powerful message is summed up well in her book title, We Are the Ones We Have Been Waiting For — Inner Light in a Time ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/we-are-the-ones-we-have-been-waiting-for/ This is the inspiring story of an unsuspecting hero who recently passed on, but first she fed many lives. May Anne Wright, known to her East Bay community as Mother Wright, was just an ordinary woman who was inspired by a lucid dream in 1980 to help the world’s hungry. ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/mother-wright-angel-to-the-hungry/ I’m not sure which is scarier, witnessing the swine flu “pandemic” sweeping across the world, or witnessing the fear of a pandemic freaking us out and making top headlines everywhere last week. I don’t mean to discount the possible gravity of situations like this. Swine flu is a real thing ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/swine-flu-fear/ All this Boston Tea Party talk recently in the media made me think a lot about tea (and not just because of tax season). I’ve always been a big tea lover. One of my favorite things to do is make up my own herbal teas, or, as they are technically ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/make-your-own-tea-party/ A couple months ago I wrote a blog entry about the advantages of simply doing one thing at a time. Bill, one of our blog readers, commented on it and pointed me to another great blog posting called “Discover Why Multitasking Damages Your Business and How to Fix It.” This ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/the-sane-way-to-multitask/ You’ve probably noticed that there’s been a surge in the popularity of exotic salts lately. A dizzying array of choices can be found at upscale groceries: fleur de sel, Himalayan sea salt, Peruvian salt, Celtic salt. And I shouldn’t forget to mention some of the delicious doctored salts like smoked salt ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/homemade-sea-salt-scrub/ We are grateful (though not altogether surprised) that our very own IO Four Handed Massage was mentioned in San Francisco Magazine’s annual It List. The Four Handed Massage is a unique bodywork service that IO has cultivated in order to offer you something ceremonial and luxurious. San Francisco Magazine sung our ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/four-handed-massage-better-than-two/ Once in a while, a revolutionary new beauty tool comes along that’s worth raving about in this blog. Clarisonic is a laudable invention that’s been written up in the Huffington Post as being “spectacular” and “the skin care product — for women and men — of 2008”. We took the ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/look-ma-no-hands-the-beauty-invention-of-the-year/ National Geographic magazine is such a great visual pleasure and informative read. I read it more when I was a kid and in love with the color, the images, the animals, the landscapes and the mystery of far away places. Recently I’ve picked it up again. I was inspired by ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/kicking-the-habit-of-wasting-energy/ Once in a while a news story comes along that draws my attention away from seemingly more colossal world events like war in Iraq, earthquakes in Italy, and pirates in Somalia. Maybe because of the local human interest element, or perhaps because it’s so morbidly compelling, but I’ve been riveted ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/sandra-cantu-breaking-stereotypes-the-hard-way/ Reading is one of my favorite low-cost stress-reduction activities. I love reading to relax. There is something mentally relieving about turning the mind over to a story or riveting subject matter. Getting into a good book, in that sense, can be like a mini-retreat. It’s reading meditation. It’s a vacation ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/healthy-escapism-reading-to-relax/ When I was new to yoga and freshly enamored of its health benefits and the sense of harmony it endowed upon me, I happened to have lunch with a yoga teacher who I greatly admired. Seeking clues to the “right” way to practice yoga, I asked him how often he ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/what-ahimsa-yoga-means-to-me/ I saw a movie recently starring the dream girl of so many of my guy friends, Scarlett Johansson. It got me thinking about body types. Scarlett is a very beautiful woman. And she’s no waif. Then there’s Marilyn Monroe. She was the dream girl of an entire generation. She was ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/the-skinny-on-body-image/ Just back from the sparkling Sea of Cortez, I glimpsed some of what John Steinbeck must have found as he ventured down to the Baja peninsula time and again, soaking it up, soaking it in and writing about it. Baja’s raw beauty and starkness made me yearn to write. ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/meditation-and-poetry-on-the-sea-of-cortez/ Inherently we are all a combination of Yin and Yang energy. Yin being the mellow, moon, “female” energy, and Yang being the “male”, sun, aggressive energy. These two qualities are innate in every person we meet, every activity we undertake, even in the foods we eat. The whole world lies ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/yin-versus-yang-yoga/ If you’ve been following my blog, you’ve probably heard me dis on plastic at least a few times. The miracle product of the last century has turned out to be not such a great thing after all. At least, if you are the environment. Or a human body. As we’ve ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/the-plastic-world-we-live-in/ We’ve all certainly heard the term “spring cleaning”. Does it seem like an archaic concept to you? The whole notion of being seasonally-driven to inventory your entire home just once a year isn’t all that realistic, especially if you live in a climate where winter doesn’t exactly keep you housebound. Since ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/whats-the-deal-with-spring-cleaning/ Somewhere in my mid-twenties I got the memo about taking care of my skin. It was right around the time we launched the spa. Extra pressure and extra stress had my skin working overtime. Even those of us in the wellness world have to manage stress as we try to ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/skin-doctor-alkaitis/ I know it sounds like a dirty acronym. But what MUFA actually stands for is “Mono-Unsaturated Fatty Acid”. MUFAs are the good fats. And yes there is such a thing. Fats have traditionally gotten a bad rap in our culture. They are often accused of being literally “fattening”. But in truth, ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/the-almighty-mufas-an-ode-to-avocados/ “We don’t like it that our bodies change shape. We don’t like it that we age. We are afraid of wrinkles and sagging skin. We use health products as if we actually believe that our skin, our hair, our eyes and teeth, might somehow miraculously escape the truth of impermanence.” That’s ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/aging-gracefully-and-realistically-with-ren/ One of my favorite women, Carolyn Cohen, and her very cool partner, Vincent Peterson, are hosting a workshop at IO on Saturday. I highly recommend your attendance at this mini-retreat called YOGA OF FOOD (March 7, 1:30 – 4:00 PM). Be there or be square. Leave more well-rounded, more balanced, ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/yoga-of-food-workshop-saturday-march-7/ Perfect Fusion – A Treatment Testimonial by IO Client, Joslyn H. I have to rave about IO Massage Therapist, Mieze Steinberg, and the amazing IO Organic Fusion Massage she gave me the other day. The Organic Fusion is a specialty massage that combines three of my favorite things: massage, yoga, and ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/io-organic-fusion-massage-an-io-client-testamonial/ I want to share some free (or really cheap) ways I’ve found to entertain myself out and about in San Francisco. A while back I blogged about the value of “artist’s dates” – an idea I got from the book The Artist’s Way that inspires me to take myself out ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/me-dates-refreshing-alone-time-on-the-cheap/ Recently my friend, Philip Wood from Citizen Citizen told me about a fascinating occurrence, something totally counter intuitive, that really grabbed me at a gut level. He pointed me to this article about an excerpt from the diary of one of the first British soldiers to liberate Bergen-Belsen concentration camp ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/the-lipstick-effect/ If you’ve never had a facial, it might not be what you think. Many people have preconceived notions that this type of spa treatment is a decadent slathering of creams onto the face with little or no real impact. Honestly, at many spas these notions are a reality. At IO ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/facials-not-what-you-might-think/ Ah, the importance of time alone, time away from it all… I cannot stress it enough. I just returned from a yoga retreat with one of my all-time favorite teachers, Peggy Orr, at Haramara in Sayulita, Mexico. Haramara is rustic elegance at its best. And, for me it was out ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/a-tropical-hut-of-ones-own/ A life coach gave me a powerful lesson that made a positive impact on how I function in my day-to-day life. For a week, she challenged me to spend a solid hour every day practicing “not multi-tasking”. This sounds easy, but actually requires a healthy does of focus and discipline. ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/one-thing-at-a-time/ Smell is the only sense that we become numb to after a matter of minutes. Bright light is always bright light; we might get used to it, but it’s bright all the same. Loud noise stays loud until our eardrums can’t take it anymore. But scent actually disappears, perceptively. This ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/the-multi-faceted-benefits-of-essential-oils/ I’ve been working on shifting my attitude about getting older. With each new fine line, sag, and yes, some gray hairs, I give myself a little pep talk. But luckily it’s not always an uphill battle. There are some ways in which getting older is a relief, even kind of ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/kick-and-scream-or-age-gracefully/ Bottled water used to be all the rage. There was a time not that long ago when you wouldn’t see a photograph of a celebrity without a plastic bottle of water attached to their hand like the world’s hippest accessory. And in every yoga class or gym, bottled water was ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/bottled-water-is-out-tap-water-is-in/ Recently I dug up a favorite old book, The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. Have you ever read it? It’s basically a 12-step program for recovering non-creative types. Or to put it another way, a revolutionary book that taught me how to tap into my own latent artist. We all ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/the-artists-way-tap-your-creativity/ Through this chilly January weather, hot stone massage is an amazing way to stay warm. It might sound a bit frou-frou, but it’s actually one of the more down-to-earth bodywork experiences. It’s very mentally calming and muscle-tension melting. The technique of hot stone massage has its roots in ancient Native ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/one-good-way-to-stay-warm/ It’s official, kombucha is getting trendy. It’s on the lips of many health-seekers as one of the current trendy health drinks (think pomegranate juice). While trends of any kind are often just fads, the truth about kombucha tea is that it’s been around for thousands of years even though it’s ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/the-wonders-of-kombucha/ Partly for my own selfish reasons, we’ve introduced noon “Power Lunch” yoga classes to our regular schedule at International Orange. With ten years of yoga practice under my belt, I’m in a place where a shorter, more concentrated class packs a vital punch, especially in the middle of my workday. Most ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/a-different-kind-of-power-lunch/ That’s the average amount of garbage each of us creates a year. Yesterday, an activist friend of mine showed me a photo of a gargantuan pile of garbage and plastic waste that will basically never decompose – at least, not in our lifetimes. Or those of our children. Now that’s ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/1600-pounds-of-garbage/ The time has come for us to dive deeper into our commitment to beauty and wellness from the inside out. With that, I’m thrilled to introduce our upcoming IO Wellness Workshops for 2009. Since 2002, we’ve offered exceptional yoga and movement-based workshops at IO, but this year we move beyond ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/io-wellness-workshops/ A brand new year, resolutions, the presidential inauguration any day now – never a better time to look ahead with hope and idealism. It’s also a ripe opportunity to reflect on past experiences and people that have inspired us and instigated reflection and personal growth in our lives. In my ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/what-inspires-you/ Here’s an inspired twist on making New Year’s resolutions: Over the next few days (or even on New Year’s Eve – why not?) take time out to meditate on where you’d like to see yourself by the end of 2009. Envision changes you’re eager to make in all of the different ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/2009-resolve-to-look-ahead-with-positivity/ We’ve offered IO Spa and Yoga Memberships since we opened in May 2002 but now more than at any time since we’ve been in business, personal wellness is even more critical and needed. Stressful times require special measures to keep us healthy, happy and sane. As an antidote for ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/wallet-friendly-io-spa-yoga-lounge-memberships/ This year my family agreed only to give one another gifts that fit the following criteria: You can eat it. You can read it. It’s homemade. It does a body good. These gift-giving guidelines were a good and worthy challenge. Needless to say, I’m still working on a photo collage ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/holiday-gifts-that-do-a-body-good/ This time of year it’s so darned easy to get pulled into the holiday momentum in a not so healthy way. Are you feeling obligated to attend every last get-together while simultaneously crunching in work deadlines, shopping for gifts amidst the retail mayhem, hosting family, hanging decorations and trying to ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/this-holiday-season-take-time-for-number-one/ They say we all hold our stress somewhere in our body – our hips, our neck…our brain. Maybe all these places. What happens when I get on my mat and practice yoga, is that the stress energy starts to dissipate. I reconnect to my physical self. I remember again that the ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/say-yes-to-yoga-for-stress-relief-and-problem-solving/ In trying economic times it’s comforting to remember that there is one possession that no one can take away from you: your own body. The better care you take of your “vessel”, as the ancient eastern traditions called it, the richer you will ultimately be in spirit and soul. This ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/massage-an-essential-not-a-luxury/ When we choose products for IO, we adhere to very high standards. With makeup, for instance, it has to help us look good, feel pretty, and it also has to be composed of clean, safe, non-toxic ingredients. Results and integrity are a powerful coupling and a requirement for our product ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/beauty-that-doesnt-hurt-mineral-makeup/ The buzz is all round us. Some is good. Some is bad. We’re all hearing about it. We’re beginning to see it. Some of us are already really feeling it. You know what I’m talking about… THE ECONOMY. Downturn. Darkness. Fear. OBAMA. Change. Inspiration. Hope. Hope matched ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/io-is-a-bridge-over-troubled-water/ When the shorter days of impending winter start to slow me down or I feel overwhelmed by obstacles in my life, I see it as a chance to take a deep breath and get back to basics. I try to stop rushing things and to notice all the subtle opportunities ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/every-moment-counts-yes-even-washing-your-hair/ I had a sports-loving male friend who used to tease me “What’s all this yoga practice for? When’s the game?” In those, my early days of “practicing” yoga, it would vex me. “He doesn’t get it,” I’d think. “Practice is just a word we use to say that we’re going ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/why-i-practice-yoga/ What’s usually the first thing to go during stressful times? Answer: we stop taking care of ourselves. We forget our bodies. We clutter our minds. We stop having fun. Here’s the kicker: what makes us better in the face of challenge is the ability to stay calm, keep perspective and ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/wellness-in-stressful-times/ It’s a good time to return to simple pleasures. What are your easy ways to unwind? What makes you feel good without much effort? Here’s a favorite from my list: I close the bathroom door behind me and submerge myself in a warm bath. I love to use our Bathe ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/take-a-bath-a-simple-way-to-unwind/ Special Holiday Gift Guide Winter 2008 “International Orange’s Enrich Body lotion will not only heal dry skin, but leave it smelling like a bouquet of fresh flowers.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/organic-spa-magazine/ I just got back from Zihuatanejo, Mexico for a wedding celebration where I almost forgot it was autumn and a time of economic concern. So now, back at home, back to reality, I am making an effort to think positively about the simple things I love. Here’s an easy ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/candles-let-there-be-light/ Lately, my skin has needed some extra TLC. While my internal cleanse is certainly helping (see post from last week), I’ve wanted an extra topical boost. Enter, the raspberry. This red vine fruit with tangy sweetness has Medieval European roots before its migration to the U.S. Raspberry crops now flourish in ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/raspberry-antioxidant-power-for-your-skin/ Autumn is the seasonal beginning of a downshift from the heat and activity of summertime and a move toward the hibernation of winter. During autumn we harvest the fruits of our year’s labor and stock up on resources that will get us through till the re-growth of spring. As we ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/start-fresh-for-autumn-a-green-drink-that-helps/ Okay, I’m gonna come clean. Even though I own a spa and yoga studio, have a daily meditation practice and take pretty darned good care of my body, I haven’t renounced alcohol or a good party night from time to time. Thankfully, I still know how to celebrate. ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/coconut-water-its-better-than-gatorade/ As one of IO’s founders and also a child of city folk turned organic farmers, I want to share an experience I just returned from as I journeyed to the high desert of New Mexico for the harvest. Every year in the transition from summer to fall, I return to ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/beauty-secret-from-the-io-family-farm-om-of-nm/ Yesterday was our annual IO Renewal Day. Well, everyday is renewal day at IO, but this day has a different focus for us. Once a year we close down to the public and officially turn the renewal attention on our team and the space we work in. We clean and ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/io-renewal-day-renewed-spirits-refreshed-space/ Recently, our very own IO Esthetician, Cat Wargo, heard the following from a client: “I don’t wear sunscreen every day. I heard that sunscreen makes it impossible to get vitamin D from sunshine, and that Americans are too obsessed with sunscreen these days.” This clearly got Cat thinking since she/we recommend daily ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/vitamin-d-deficiency-a-sunscreen-controversy/ Last night I received darshan from Mother Meera. This holy blessing literally means “sight”, referring to a vision or connection to the divine. Born in India, Mother Meera is thought to be an incarnation of the Divine Mother (the mother of the universe in Hinduism). It is said she ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/darshan-receiving-a-divine-blessing/ Cooking Teacher Bibby Gignilliat’s Favorite Places August 2008 “After a long day in the kitchen, I re-energize at my neighborhood yoga studio and spa. Andrea’s power yoga class is a great way to break a sweat, and Nathan’s massages work wonders on my tired muscles.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/san-franscisco-magazine/ Rising Star: Jessica Boncutter – Bar Jules August 2008 “On my day off, I go to International Orange. I get a massage and read the paper on the deck. It’s the perfect day.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/san-francisco-magazine-august-2008/ International Orange Organic Body Products Spring 2008 “Indulging in these scrumptious spa products will make your skin softer, your hair shinier, and your overall disposition a whole lot sunnier.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/sprig/ Planet: Groove on Nonfat Yoga April 2008 “You’ll get why many skip lunch for a spot at International Orange Spa’s noon yoga class in Pacific Heights. Its sensual massage oils and cleansers were anointed ‘Best Locally Made Body Care.’” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/marie-claire-april-2008/ Web Sight: Get Them Talking March 2008 “One good referral is worth dozens of unqualified prospects… The relationship with Yelp began about two years ago, when Yelp staffers noticed International Orange had both the highest ratings and the most reviews of any local spa.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/entrepreneur-march-2008/ Equal Measures February 2008 “San Francisco’s International Orange places an equal emphasis on yoga classes and spa treatments. International Orange is striving to create a community based on participation in its yoga classes and spa programme.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/spa-business-february-2008/ 1. REFRESH-MINT: A Delicious Mint Cooler This refreshing and healthy drink is one of my favorites for summertime. It’s a cold version of fresh mint tea. It’s healthy (no refined sugar and better for you than a can of soda), invigorating and stomach settling. Ingredients Teapot full of hot ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/five-spa-refreshment-tips-for-summer/ Bring another kind of “balance” into your life. People in my life know how much I love natural products as an enjoyable and healthy part of my daily ritual. I might even be accused, at times, of being a “pusher” of natural and organic products. If that’s a crime, then I ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/natural-deodorant-its-good-for-you/ Many people don’t like the start of their day. Work. Responsibility. Tasks. Ugh. There’s a lot that can make it hard to get up in the morning. In the past year, my life has altered for the better with a focus on personal time in the morning and it’s changed the ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/rise-and-shine-the-value-of-morning-ritual/ I took up a new sport recently, bought myself an extravagant birthday gift, a carbon-fiber TREK road bike, and became a cyclist-in-training. Since I no longer own a car, biking seemed like a great way to get around and have weekend adventures on breathtaking back roads around the Bay Area. ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/bike-accidents-and-in-fiore-balm/ Yes, I am a good girl and I do generally eat all the peas on my plate. I am also a believer in looking after my skin and keeping it healthy, even indulging it from time to time. So, what do peas and healthy skin have in common? Read on ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/pass-the-peas-and-peptides-please/ I recently took a life-changing journey through Southern Asia. I left my Blackberry at home, packed light and unplugged from regular life to explore some of the planet’s most spiritually rich, and economically challenged, lands. In addition to learning about the places I traveled and the people I ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/ceremony-ritual-exploration/ Recently, our eagle-eyed IO Esthetician, Catherine Wargo, showed me an interesting National Geographic article (June 2008) on the subject of honey as a healing aid for the skin. Honey, the sweet nectar of flowers, the bi-product of honey bees, has long been used in healing and beauty products and, ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/healing-your-skin-with-honey/ While fireworks were blasting and parties were underway over the 4th of July weekend, I took a vow of silence on retreat at Spirit Rock in the hills of Marin County. It was remarkable to get quiet and go inward to meet my mental demons and angels. It was especially ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/noble-silence-and-fireworks/ The Power of 2 – A Treatment Testimonial by IO Client, Leslie W. There is a Chinese saying, “good things come in pairs.” As a child growing up in a Chinese home, this adage was one of those “parental phrases” where the meaning was lost in translation (and / or by virtue ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/acupuncture-and-massage-an-io-client-testimonial/ One of the gifts of my recent journey to Southern Asia was the Reiki healing that I received in Kerala, India (thanks to Dr. Kamaraj and Dr. Johnson). Reiki means universal life force energy and it’s a balancing and healing art with a broad range of happy benefits to both ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/the-power-of-reiki/ Are you taking a “staycation” this summer? Yes, the name is a tad too “cute”, but the concept is a good one. Shouldn’t we all learn to enjoy what’s in our own backyard? After all, true happiness is being happy right where we are. Staycation is the new buzzword for Americans ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/staycation-an-eco-friendly-economical-vacation/ Tea Tree is one of marvelous Mother Nature’s quick fixes for the face. The human race didn’t actually invent the “quickie”, Mother Nature did. I am indeed a proponent of abandoning fast food, but “fast face” certainly has a time and place in my life. I appreciate some things for their ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/tea-tree-oil-is-a-quick-fix-from-mother-nature/ Group Dynamics September 2007 “In 2001, when most Bay Area spas were either borderline psychedelic or lavishly grandiose, Darland and her business partners (cofounders Kary Chendo and Melissa Ferst) decided to start a yoga spa modeled after the Slow Food movement… meant to strip away the chaos, the data, the stuff of ... http://www.internationalorange.com/press/san-francisco-magazine/ Today, IO turns six. I want to thank our IO Team, past and present, for creating with us, a healing and transformational community. At IO, it feels like joy, not work. Let’s keep this momentum alive. Transforming the planet, one person at a time. Gratefully, Amy http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/international-orange-turns-six/ At the risk of sounding overly dramatic, meditation changed my life in less than a week. And, the benefits in 6 months have been enormous. I’ve been going out to Spirit Rock in Marin County for Monday night Dharma Talks with Jack Kornfield and friends for almost a ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/meditation-a-must-in-my-bag-of-tricks/ Welcome to the International Orange (IO) blog, written by me, Amy Darland, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of IO. As I set out to write this blog, my intention is to share what I know about living richly and doing it in a beautiful, healthy, balanced way. Ahead, you will find ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/welcome-to-the-new-international-orange-blog/ Stay fresh this Winter. Take advantage of discounts on some of our most popular services at IO. Buy Online http://www.internationalorange.com/spa-highlights/spa-highlight-two/ Save $35. Buy a $150 IO Gift Certificate for $115 (Must Only Be Purchased Online). Buy Now. http://www.internationalorange.com/spa-highlights/spa-highlight-one/ Early Spring is a time to appreciate the life that is all around us. Many of the plants that sustain everyday life for cultures all over the world also house amazing benefits for the skin. White tea is one of my favorites, not only for the taste, but ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/spring-approaching/ Exotic flowers have always lifted my spirits in wintertime. In February, when daylight is in short supply, when it’s chilly and wet, when cold and flu bugs are percolating, I find ways to “break on through to the other side.” My methods might not be as psychedelic as Jim Morrison’s were, ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/exotic-flowers/ A purifying body wash to awaken, stimulate, and prepare the skin to receive nutrients and hydration. http://www.internationalorange.com/highlights/io-cleanse/ This healing mask from Arcona, lessens swelling, as it detoxifies and removes impurities from the skin. http://www.internationalorange.com/highlights/arcona-tea-tree-mask/ As some of you know, my parents live on and run Old Monticello Organic Farms, New Mexico, otherwise know as OM OF NM. My family farm in the high desert of New Mexico produces several specialty products for us at International Orange. My parents’ products represent the high quality we ... http://www.internationalorange.com/blog/old-monticello-organic-farms/ Insider’s S.F. Hit List June/July 2007 “Marin-raised S.F. dweller Amy Darland co-founded Pacific Heights spa and yoga studio International Orange – named after the paint color used on the Golden Gate Bridge.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/c-june-2007/ Best Of: Finest Face-Off June 2007 – BEST OF ISSUE “It’s refreshing to find an aesthetician who knows how to take it slow. Milene is as concerned about your nutrition and lifestyle as she is about how to help skin that’s regressed to its adolescent days.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/7x7-guide-june-2007-2/ Giving Up Skin Care ‘Junk Food’ May 2007 “Harnessing the power of organic ingredients with a new line intended to compliment the spa’s mission to ‘awaken intrinsic beauty through daily practice’… incorporating the very therapeutic elements of these ingredients, and also blend them in a way that makes them beautiful to ... http://www.internationalorange.com/press/san-francisco-chronicle-sfis-may-2007/ 7 Things to Know Right Now May 2007 – LUXURY ISSUE “Billed as ‘yoga for the skin’ (except for the whole getting progressively stretchier part), this incredibly sumptuous line of organic beauty products takes ‘all-natural’ to couture levels.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/7x7-guide-may-2007/ A Local Favorite Spring 2007 “A combination spa and yoga studio, International Orange offers an array of ways to refresh and rejuvenate in a clean, fresh-feeling space.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/where-spring-2007/ Say a Little Prayer April 10, 2007 “Get up off your knees and onto the table for an organic fusion massage at International Orange. Using the spa’s new signature products, the shiatsu/ Swedish/ Thai combo turns sinners back into saints.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/daily-candy-sf-edition-april-2007/ Spring 2007 “Minimalist and serene, International Orange offers yoga classes and a range of spa services. Looking for a great facial? Ask for Milene.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/7x7-guide-spring-2007/ Supreme Makeover January 2007 A supple, strong body is a healthy body… International Orange has an intimate ambiance and offers an appealing range of yoga classes, many of which are well suited to serious practitioners.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/where-january-2007/ Red Flower Japan Treatment December 2006 “Combination of a body wash spiked with mimosa and yuzu, acupressure on our hands, a gingergrass-scented scrub, and a head-to-toe massage with rose oil was luxurious.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/allure-december-2006/ September 2006 “A bridge is such a great symbol of transformation and movement that we couldn’t resist naming our renewal/wellness business after such a landmark.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/marin-september-2006/ July/August 2006 “Amy Darland pulled off the ultimate escape by chucking a high-intensity job to open an organic spa. Here she shows us how to create a Zen getaway in our own spaces.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/domino-magazine-july-2006/ The Best of the Bay Reader’s Poll 2006: Best Spa July 2006 “…International Orange is a house of yoga, art exhibitions and spa products and services that starts with surface beauty and takes it deeper…” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/san-francisco-magazine-july-2006/ April 9, 2006 “At International Orange, Darland said that incorporating… scientifically created products alongside the more natural ones often gives the best results.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/san-francisco-chronicle-april-2006/ Price: $115 and Up March 2006 “The Red Flower Fusion Massage is so relaxing, you won’t bat an eyelash when the likes of Jessica Simpson and Molly Sims saunter past.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/allure-march-2006/ December 2, 2005 “Shiso Tea Leaf Body Cream and Hinoki Temple Incense Hand Lotion, $44 and $26, International Orange… We especially liked the mossy, smoky allure of the Hinoki Temple Incense and the clean green notes in the Shiso Tea Leaf.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/san-francisco-chronicle-december-2005/ September 2005 “International Orange, luxuriate with a two-hour Organic Rejuvenation Facial…” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/papercity-september-2005/ Urban Renewal August 2, 2005 “International Orange… Wellness has never looked so polished.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/san-francisco-examiner-august-2005/ August 2005 “Malin+Goetz’s first scent… hits the shelves at International Orange.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/papercity-august-2005/ June 19, 2005 “Still searching for the perfect Father’s Day gift?… Gentlemen, start your razors: (Malin + Goetz) shaving cream, $22, International Orange.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/san-francisco-chronicle-june-2005/ 2004’s Best Beauty Finds December 5, 2004 “To scout out this year’s best of the best, we turned to some of the Bay Area’s top beauty experts… Hinoki Yuzu Mineral Bath Soak. International Orange spa co-owner Amy Darland said she loved the Japanese formulation…” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/san-francisco-chronicle-december-2004/ Top Manicures, Facials, Blow-Drys and More December 2004 “Purify and simplify at International Orange with Red Flower Japan products and the ritual-based body treatment created around them.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/san-francisco-magazine-december-2004/ October 2004 “Jessica Simpson and newly svelte rapper Missy Elliott stopped in… Alanis Morisette picked up a Hinoki Temple Incense Candle… Molly Sims is, apparently, a devoted fan of IO. Also spotted: one SF mayor taking time for a relaxing massage.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/7x7-october-2004/ Five Star (and Superstar) Guide October 2004 “Massage: International Orange leaves even tightly wound clients limber.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/allure-october-2004/ October 2004 “Make time to arrive early or stay late afterwards at this sleek, modern Pacific Heights spa/yoga studio. Lounge on the sunny redwood deck, enjoy the steam room, or take a yoga class.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/lucky-october-2004/ The Insiders’ Travel Bible Issue #2 (2004) “The favorite spa for well-groomed San Franciscans is International Orange…” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/wallpaper-navigator-2004/ Best of the Bay July 2004 “BEST SPA. Yoga in the morning, massage and facial in the afternoon, lounging by the fireplace in the evening. At Pac Heights’ International Orange, your best-loved wellness hub, you can have it all under the same roof.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/san-francisco-magazine-july-2004/ July 2004 “Healing is a beautiful thing at International Orange, a New Age spa and yoga center.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/o-magazine-july-2004/ The World’s Coolest Spas May 2004 “Stepping into an urban oasis, this yoga studio and day spa evokes a minimalist, modern sensibility… Unique to this spa is In Fiore, too-die-for massage oils and body balms…” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/soma-may-2004/ April 2004 “Bay Area Nirvana…an outpost of West Coast cool… They’re clearly on to something.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/gourmet-april-2004/ How to Plan the Perfect Trip January/February 2004 “The most sought after treatments… Here are the top five mind, body and mood-altering therapies… In Fiore Massage… Take advantage while there of the acclaimed yoga studio and brilliantly edited beauty boutique.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/wallpaper-january-2004/ Metro Essential January 2004 “Take refuge from the concrete jungle at INTERNATIONAL ORANGE…” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/outside-january-2004/ 50 Green and Gorgeous Gifts December 2003 “In Fiore’s Tiagi Balm and Oil provide a gorgeous combination of lavender and neroli that’s calming and grounding… internationalorange.com” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/organic-style-december-2003/ Five Star (and Superstar) Guide October 2003 “The best beauty services… INTERNATIONAL ORANGE, Salt Rub with Honey Glaze” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/allure-october-2003/ October 2003 “If you can’t spend the day at this San Francisco-based spa and yoga studio, at least you can shop on its new Web store.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/lucky-october-2003/ Black Book September 2003 “International Orange…offers clients a choice of massage techniques (therapists can combine several styles), music, nutrient-rich products (balms from In Fiore or oil from owner Amy Darland’s organic family farm), and even two masseuses per treatment.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/instyle-september-2003/ Baby & Me: A Guide for New Moms in the City September 2003 “Expert prenatal massage, along with an inviting back deck for a cat nap on lounge chairs…” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/7x7-september-2003/ Hip Holiday Gift Guide: What You Want to Get! December 2002 “…a gift package from this minimalist urban spa/yoga studio is perfect.” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/dwell-december-2002/ The Best Spas Issue October 2002 “‘Worship your body, nourish your soul.’ To that end, temples of fitness are reinterpreting what it means to work out, focusing on healthy living rather than feeling the burn. At International Orange in San Francisco, yoga sessions are enhanced by massages…” http://www.internationalorange.com/press/travel-leisure-october-2002/